Is There Always Room for Dessert?

The age-old adage, “There’s always room for dessert,” is a familiar saying that often leaves us with a mouthwatering notion. However, this saying can sometimes be misinterpreted. It is not about a literal room but rather a figurative one—meaning there is usually enough room in one's stomach to accommodate a sweet treat after a satisfying meal.

While this is true, the notion that literally any dessert would fit is far from the truth. Many opt to forgo dessert altogether, especially after a hearty meal. For instance, my personal choice after a good dinner is to end with a simple cup of espresso and a glass of brandy. There is no room for a cake or ice cream in my current taste preferences.

Why the Shift Towards Healthy Desserts?

Thankfully, modern culinary trends are shifting towards more health-conscious dessert options. Traditional desserts like cakes, ice creams, cream br?lées, and chocolate mousse, while delectable, come with a downside—they are often calorie-dense and harmful to our health. Our biological conditioning, honed over millions of years, has not equipped us to handle the abundance of modern food. As a result, we find ourselves drawn to calorie-dense foods, a common trait of many desserts.

Instead, I serve healthier dessert options when hosting Gringo friends for dinner. Some popular choices include:

Peanut powder in soy or cashew milk, flavored with coconut palm sugar Mango pulp blended in almond milk Rice pudding made in coconut milk Fruit smoothies made in cashew milk and coconut milk

Exploring New Taste Preferences

While the idea of always having room for dessert is appealing, personal preferences can vary. I remember my sweet tooth awakening after having my children. Before, I did not have a particular fondness for sweets and predominantly enjoyed savory foods.

That all changed when my mother would bring chocolate bars to the hospital where we stayed for 10 days after giving birth. I would indulge in a chocolate bar with each cup of tea, and it was in those moments that my palate for sweet treats began to develop.

This experience, however, did not dampen my appreciation for healthy dessert options. Regardless of one’s current taste in desserts, choosing healthier alternatives is always a great decision for overall health and well-being.

Ultimately, the question of whether there is room for dessert is one that is deeply personal, influenced by cultural, biological, and experiential factors. Whether you opt for a simple cup of espresso or explore healthier dessert options, the key is making choices that cater to your current taste preferences and health goals.