The next time you go out to a restaurant, you may want to think twice before looking at the dessert menu. Although having a little dessert after dinner may seem harmless, some of the fattiest foods are also the ones that contain the most sugar. According to a University of Pennsylvania study, frequent consumption of high-fat, high-sugar foods can alter your thinking and cloud your judgement about what you're eating. If you're trying to lose weight, stop starving yourself during meals and think about just how much fat and calories you're throwing away on sugary snacks and desserts.
Donuts
Donuts have never been touted as a diet food, but just one donut can't be so bad, right? Wrong. According to the University of Pennsylvania Office of Health Education, most donuts contain 5 grams of trans fat and 5 grams of saturated fat. The Dunkin' Donuts Chocolate Kreme Filled Donut, on the other hand, contains 17 grams of sugar, 7 grams of saturated fat, 310 calories and 17 grams of fat - this represents 25 percent of daily recommended fat intake based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Even a plain, glazed donut contains 220 calories and 4 grams of saturated fat and 12 grams of sugar. Although eating a piece of fruit is not nearly as satisfying as eating a cream-filled donut, eating foods with natural sugar like fresh fruit can decrease cravings for sweeter, more sinful desserts.
Chocolate cheesecake
Cheesecake is a decadent dessert made with fattening ingredients like heavy cream, butter, milk chocolate, cream cheese, and of course, sugar. According to MSNBC, the average chocolate cheesecake recipe contains a whopping 4 cups of sugar, and the average serving contains 713 calories and 49 grams of fat. That isn't to say plain cheesecake is any healthier - it still contains many of the same unhealthy ingredients packed into chocolate cheesecake.
Banana Splits
Just because a banana split has fruit in it does not mean it is healthy. Whether you make a banana split at home or get it in a restaurant, the dessert can contain 30 grams of fat and 555 calories. Although eating a plain banana for dessert may seem depressing, dip it in a little dark chocolate to create an indulgent and smart dessert that will make you forget about that banana split craving.
Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is a sneaky dessert in that it only contains a few ingredients. But with almost three tablespoons of sugar per serving, bread pudding delivers 25 grams of fat and almost 500 calories, according to MSNBC. Bread pudding may be thicker and richer than fat-free pudding cups at the grocery store, but those cups are a wiser choice that can save you from ruining your diet by giving into the temptation of an unhealthy dessert.
Carrot Cake
Carrot cake is another dessert that seems more healthy than other desserts because it contains a vegetable. But carrot cake contains an unbelievable 682 calories, 42 grams of fat and 1/6 cup of sugar per serving. If you absolutely must indulge in the occasional slice of carrot cake, avoid eating the icing, which usually contains cream cheese and accounts for a large portion of the fat and calories.
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