Eat Dessert First!

Get ready to smile, maybe even a snicker or two.  I’m going to tell you something crazy.  Crazy great.

Since last Friday I have been having a generous slice of Chocolate Ganache Cake every morning.  But of course, not until after I have had a lovely breakfast.  Yes, that’s right, dessert with breakfast every day.

Why would I do such a crazy thing, you ask?  Well, because I want to get into the size 4 jeans that are hanging up in the back of my closet. (Sitting in 10’s right now, sigh… )

It’s a new diet that has come about from a study done in Israel and was publicized earlier this year.  144 subjects, who were obese but not diabetic, were split into two groups.  One group was fed a 1400 calorie (1600 for men) diet that mainly consisted of protein and non-starchy veggies, much like South Beach or Atkins.  The second group was also fed 1400 calories except that 300 of those calories were used as a dessert with a 300 calorie breakfast which was low carb and then lunch and dinner were low carb also.

The results were quite remarkable: The two groups lost at the same rate for the first 16 weeks, an average of 32 pound.  Remember the only difference here was that 1/2 the group was going to bed every night knowing there would be dessert in the morning.  The other half did without.  During the second 16 weeks, a maintenance phase, most of the low-carb-only-folks gained back all but 3 pounds, on average.  The cake group continued to lose weight, (13 pounds on average) and kept eating chocolate cake at breakfast.

Wow.  Could it be true? 

I’ve spent money and time on things that were far less pleasant. I don’t like dieting.  Who does?  I have tried many things to lose weight over the years and most of them have been considered ‘sensible’.  In the quest for a slimmer me, I have often experienced many of the things some of you have: feeling exhausted, hungry, deprived and out-of –sorts.

Apparently eating dessert at breakfast, (chocolate cake being the most effective), helps improve one’s internal chemistry all day long.  There is less fatigue; in fact there is no afternoon slump. Overall hunger decreases, cravings disappear and there are no feelings of deprivation.  Mood swings disappear.  The desire to cheats evaporates knowing that there is dessert coming in the morning.  Oh and did I mention the Night-Munchy-Monster just doesn’t exist?

I thought, I could try it for a week.  Hey, as long as I don’t gain weight, the worst thing that could happen is that I’d eat chocolate cake every morning for a week.  I told a few friends who laughed and said to be sure to call them if it worked.

My Solution

So I created this Chocolate Ganache Cake with breakfast in mind (and my size 4’s!) It is made using the Goody Mix and is a deeply rich chocolate cake that whips up quickly.  It makes 9 servings at 300 calories each. Perfect!

If you haven’t gotten your copy of the Goody Mix recipe yet, click here.

This morning I couldn’t help but laugh as I tucked into my slice of Chocolate Ganache decadence.

So you want to ask me a question, right?  You know you do.  So how much weight have I lost since last Friday? TA DA! I’ve lost 3 pounds!  I feel great.    I seem to be having the promised benefits of well-being and reduced hunger. Wow.  That makes me smile.

Chocolate Cake for Breakfast Diet Recipe

Laura

Deeply decadent chocolate cake with a ganache glaze. Perfect for the Chocolate Cake for Breakfast Diet or Sunday dinner company.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings 9 slices

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

  

Cake

• 1 3/4 cup Goody Mix
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup plain Greek Yogurt
• 1 tsp . vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup butter , softened

Ganache

• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup cream , fluid

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Grease and flour a 9” round cake pan.
• Pour cake ingredients into mixer bowl.
• Mix on medium-low speed for 1 1/2- 2 minutes.
• Pour and spread batter into prepared 9″ round pan.
• Bake 25-28 minutes. Cake will spring back to a light touch.
• Allow cake to cool 30 minutes before turning out onto wire cooling rack. (top down) Place rack over a jelly roll pan, (with rim).
• Make ganache (glaze): Place chips in small mixing bowl. In microwave, heat cream to almost boiling in a small micro-proof bowl 30 to 45 seconds on high and pour over chocolate chips, stir or whisk until smooth and all chips are melted.
• Pour ganache gently and evenly over cake. Ganache will thicken as it cools, spread thinly around side of cake with a spatula. Very little should fall onto pan, if any.
• Allow glaze to set for 20-30 minutes before cutting to serve.

Notes

Baker’s Secrets:
Get cake out of pan easily: Cut a circle of parchment to match pan bottom. Spritz a tiny bit of baking spray on bottom of pan. place parchment circle in pan. Spray pan with baking spray and flour as usual. For chocolate cake, replace flour with cocoa for a beautiful richly colored cake exterior.

Click for information on how to get the Goody Mix Recipe

Here’s how  the Baking Outside the Box Mix method works.

If you would like to know more about the study done in Israel here are some articles online: https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/21/health/nutrition/dessert-at-breakfast-may-help-dieters.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120207133750.htm

And see article in the May 7, 2012 Women’s World Magazine.

Please Note:  I believe I am required to make a disclaimer and tell you that although this plan works for me, I make no claims about it working for others. I’m not a nutritionist or a doctor. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet. I am not responsible for any results negative or positive you may get using this plan. Use it at your own risk.   What I say should not be construed as advice.  The information set forward on this plan is for entertainment only. ‘Nuff said.