DESSERT is happy food, but it often is the most banned part of the meal. Isn’t desserts spelled “stressed” backwards after all? Truth is you can have dessert. Why fight a happy (if not THE happiest) part of your meal? Here are ten reasons why you should get dessert:

1. The more you resist, the more you’ll end up crashing into it. Go ahead and eat a small amout. Depriving yourself of that craving could build up your desire for it, and if not managed well, you might end up gorging on dessert. So why not give a small portion a go? And be a good girl or boy by keeping it in moderation.

2. You end the meal on a satisified note. After having a great or not-so-great main course, dessert can help wipe away all traces of that main meal (the “umay” factor) and make you feel more satisfied too.

3. The right choice of dessert can make for the right kind of mood. Chocolate and strawberries can be aphrodisiacs. Ice cream makes anyone happy and comforted. What do you plan to do after your meal?

4. Desserts make a meal more memorable. It’s the last impression you and your guests have of the meal. “The steak was terrible, but the banana split was awesome… I can see myself coming back to this restaurant again.” Desserts sure can make or break a dining experience. This is a shoutout to all those who manage restaurants too.

5. Not all desserts are bad. A lot of restaurants are helping their health-conscious customers enjoy their meals to the max by offering no-sugar, low-fat desserts. Fresh fruits, sorbets and sherbets also give you sweetness without the sinfulness. Do consider these if you choose to avoid the excessively creamy ones.

6. You don’t have dessert everyday. Or do you? Examine your eating habits and see how often you get dessert. If you hardly get dessert, perhaps you could get two to three forkfuls of that cheesecake. If you’re a dessert maniac, you can always opt to go lighter on your choice for the day.

7. If you know you are going to have dessert, chances are you’ll go light on your main courses. It’s all about the planning, baby. Forego second servings on that lechon. You could end up having an overall healthier meal experience too.

8. They make a meal more special, especially if you made them yourself. My Mom made fruit granitas once, and they made our typical fried chicken and rice lunch extra special. It was one of my favorite meals as a kid because my Mom hardly made desserts. It was an extra special day.

9. It’s a mini-celebration. Who doesn’t rejoice for dessert? Put in a little more happy in your meals with a good dessert. No matter how terrible your day can get, there’s always a reason to celebrate.

10. Fill it in! – What do you think is another reason why you should get dessert?