It might sound too good to be true, but according to a study by Tel Aviv University, a low-calorie meal plan that includes dessert with breakfast may help dieters.
In the randomised study, 193 obese people were separated into two diet groups, both totaling 1400 calories for women and 1600 for men. The two diets were identical except one had a 600 calorie high-carborhydrate, protein-enriched breakfast with a choice of chocolate, cookies, cake or ice cream for dessert. The second group was restricted to a 300 calorie low-carb breakfast.
At the four month mark, weight loss in both groups was on par with each participant having lost an average of 33 pounds. However, shortly after the results took a surprising turn. Participants in the large-breakfast group lost another 15 pounds each, those in the low-carb group regained an average of 22 pounds each. At the end of the program, those who had less restrictive breakfasts had lost an average of 40 pounds more per person than their peers.
Advertisement: Story continues below Breakfast is the meal that most successfully regulates ghrelin, the hormone that increases hunger, said the lead researcher on the study, Professor Daniella Jakubowicz.
Those on the dessert diet maintained lower levels of ghrelin and reported significantly higher levels of fullness throughout the study.
Attempting to avoid sweets entirely might be initially effective, but can increase dieters cravings that result in a weight relapse, she explained.
The researchers concluded that a high carbohydrate and protein breakfast may prevent weight regain by reducing diet-induced hunger, cravings and ghrelin suppression. They emphasised that to achieve long-term weight loss, meal timing and macronutrient composition must balance these compensatory treats.
"Most people simply regain weight, no matter what diet they are on," said the lead author, Dr Jakubowicz told the New York Times. "But if you eat what you like, you decrease cravings. The cake — a small piece — is important."
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http://www.watoday.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/cake-the-breakfast-of-diet-champions-20120312-1uu8t.html#ixzz1p1bLoWmx
