I was with a group of women yesterday, and the question came up about what countries eat dessert first. Pat was sure there were some countries that do that!
So I began my expedition this morning into that very topic. It’s not that we want to eat dessert at all, or we don’t know that it probably should be apples cooked on the stove top with cinnamon and nutmeg… and maybe a few raisins…. into a healthy pie crust! lol Or skip the cream and the butter soaked biscuit in the picture I took, and eat just fruit!
But when someone asks me a question I don’t know the answer to, I’m curious. So I go exploring. And here’s what I come up with.
First off, I like to eat dessert first, if I’m at a place and I know that’s their specialty. The reasons on the web to NOT do that is they say it fills you up.
And that’s a bad thing? lol Isn’t that why people say to drink a glass or two of water before each meal? To fill you a bit? (I personally think it’s good to get your hydration taken care of cause it’s way easier to drink 8 glasses a day, when you do 2 before each meal)!
Wiki tells us: Since there are usually more empty calories and sugar in dessert it would be to your disadvantage to eat your dessert first. That it why there is a serving protocall. Soup or salad first and sometimes both in that order and usually the servings are small to entice your appetite for the main course and the trick is to also help to fill you up so you do not eat too much of your entree and you will be too full for dessert and you will have saved yourself from wasting empty calories and gaining weight. Don’t do it!
Ok. Wiki. Calm down! We know we shouldn’t do it. We also shouldn’t ride motorcycles or go crowd surfing.
BUT WHAT COUNTRIES DO EAT DESSERT FIRST, CHEF?
Well, I’m coming to that. What I see on the web are mostly what isn’t true. The Amish, people from Sweden…. are thought to eat dessert first. But they don’t. Even someone from indonesia says it’s a good idea but not a practice. (And I’ve been to Indonesia many times and nooooo….. they don’t eat dessert first).
Even at article called: “Japanese… eat your dessert first all the time” isn’t about that topic. It’s about learning Japanese and I think, if I am right, they’re using that as some kind of metaphor, or just to catch readers. Nooooo…. Japanese do not eat dessert first.
Remember Dr. Seuss? Calculatus elliminatus, it’s the only thing you’ve got. The way to find a missing something is to find out where it’s not.
Well, it’s sort of like like. I’m seeing mostly where it’s not!
Another researchers’ answer to this question was: “I couldn’t find any countries that eat dessert first culturally. Many restaurants specialize in dessert”. Many restaurants specialize in dessert? Was that really the answer we were looking for? lol
Ah! But last year, Dharina came up with this bit of information:
NOW YOU’RE REALLY STRETCHING IT CHEF!
Am I? Sorry. So there you have it. A bite before a festival in India! lol I can do that! And more!
I’ve seen articles questioning: “In retirement, should you eat dessert first”. And other comments like: “Enjoy now, Pay Later”. So I think there’s a consensus out there that culturally it’s sort of fun, but not healthy to entertain the concept of eating dessert first.
It’s interesting. And brings up another question.
Salad before the meal or after the meal?
One of the more recent things I’ve been doing and saying for years now is: “Eat like a European. Have your salad after the main meal”. And the reason I say that is we all know that disease cannot grown in an alkaline body. Salad is Alkaline. Protein is acid. So, it makes sense to turn your body back to alkaline after eating acid. But the French have their own reasons. They say that vinegar affects your palate. So if you’re drinking wine, you should have your food and wine first, your salad after. Either way, they got it right! lol
Happy Eating,
Chef Marian
Hi,
in Slovakia on Christmas Eve we eat some wafle with honey before the soup and also have cookies and cakes at the end of the meal. At least in our family. My mother puts crosses of honey on our foreheads as part of this custom. But on “normal” days we do not usually have any desert before lunch. Except, at a time when I felt stuffed at the mealtime as a child, mother would give me some shredded apple or sliced banana so that I get a little hungry before lunch.
What do you mean “We shouldn’t ride motorcycles?” I ride motorcycles and find it rewarding and a feeling you can’t get from any other mode of transportation. It is safe of you aware of your surroundings at all times and wear full gear.
I am from Rajasthan (in western part of India) and traditionally we start all special meals (celebrations) with sweet. Its kind of like starting something with an auspicious and sweet note and serving sweets first of all. I was just curious and googled if any one else does it and landed here. It was fun to read the article.
Thanks! Glad you liked reading what I write. Who else starts with sweets? (If you let ’em)…. Kids. You can become the favorite aunt, uncle, grandmother or cousin by telling a small loved one that ‘we are going to eat donuts before lunch’. And why isn’t that a bad idea? Disease can’t grow in an alkaline body. So if we eat something with sugar that causes inflammation (as all sugar does), if we follow that up with protein and especially vegetables, that brings our alkaline level back to normal. Look at how the French eat… meal than salad. Brilliant! Would love for you to share one of your sweet recipes! Healthy Happy Eating!
We all have and are entitled to different opinions. I have actually crashed on a motorcycle and am not crazy about being out of control. I also see the dangerous lane splitting that happens, scaring car drivers as they scoot between and around them. Even when you are in full gear and are of your surroundings, accidents happen. So each of us needs to do what’s best for us. No offense!
Thanks for reading my article and writing back. Waffle with honey as a starter sounds delish! Rajasthan in western part of India serves sweets before the meal on special occasions and was wondering who else might do that. So here’s another answer for him! Thanks much! Healthy Happy Eating!