Cake gets a rough ride. It’s high in sugar and fat, and for many people, the enemy.
But, I love cake! I’m not going to lie, I eat cake most days, and I bake ALL of the time. I’m a huge fan of moderation. I run, I practice yoga, I walk a lot, I eat all the carbs and enjoy cake and chocolate when I fancy it. No, I’ll never be super skinny, but being active means that my weight is healthy. I’m strong, I’m happy, my body works, and cake is part of it.
So, I’m here sticking up for this poor sweet treat with a look at the benefits of eating cake.
Cake Makes You Happy
One of the biggest benefits of eating cake is to your mental health. Doing things that you like, makes you happy. The same goes for eating things that you like.
Cake can bring a smile to your face, which is always a good thing, but even more so if you are having a bad day, and if you are stressed out sitting down with a slice of your favourite cake is a great way to unwind and chill out for a little while.
Baking is Great Stress Relief
I love to bake. I turn music on, I dance around the kitchen, I lick the bowl and I just really enjoy creating something that tastes fab.
Obviously, you don’t have to eat the cake just because you’ve baked it. But, I find baking for other people more stressful. When I bake for my household, there’s no pressure, just fun.
Cake is an Excellent Energy Boost
Sugar has a bad name. But, actually, in small amounts, it can be a fantastic energy boost. A bit like caffeine, if you overindulge, you’ll feel full and sluggish, and there’s bound to be a comedown from the sugary high.
But a small slice isn’t going to have enough sugar for any of these side effects. If you need a quick boost, a slice of cake can be ideal.
Cake is a Social Food
Yes, you can eat cake alone. It’s actually quite a good mental health boost to treat yourself just because you want to, and 5 minutes doing nothing but savouring the flavours is always great.
But, cake can also be social. A cup of coffee and a slice of cake with a good friend is a fantastic boost, which doesn’t require tons of time or a big commitment. It’s much easier to fit into a hectic schedule than a lunch date.
It’s Nice to Have Something to Look Forward to
Whether you are eating your cake alone or with friends, it’s always good to have something to look forward to. One of the benefits of cake is that it’s an easy win. If you are having a bad day, or halfway around a long run, knowing there’s chocolate cake at home can make things easier.
Cake Can Help You to Eat More Fruit and Veg
Yes, cake has some unhealthy ingredients. But, it can also contain some goodies. Fruit cakes, cake with lemon juice and zest, or fresh berries, all have lots of vitamins and other nutrients.
Cake Could Help You to Build Muscle
Cakes often contain protein and calcium from their ingredients. These can help you to build muscle, strength and stamina, and even aid workouts and boost recovery.
Fruity Cakes are Great for Digestion
Cakes that contain dried fruits are very good sources of fibre, which can aid digestion.
Eating Cake Could Help You to Lose Weight
A big, often unexpected benefit of eating cake is that it can actually help you to lose weight.
Energy boosts and positive effects on your mental health mean that you are more likely to exercise and move more.
Another way eating cake can help you to lose weight is by controlling cravings. If I know that I can have a slice of cake in the afternoon, I’m less likely to pick at biscuits and sweets. If we have something sweet for pudding, I’m less likely to reach for the chocolate later in the evening. A slice of cake is easier to measure and control than a big bag of something and, the earlier you have your treat, the easier it is to burn off before bed.
There are many benefits of eating cake, and I’ll carry on doing it most days!