Have you ever stopped yourself from enjoying dessert after a meal because you were worried about your calories? Have you ever said you wanted “just a bite” of that cake and then gorged yourself on it later because you just couldn’t resist? Let’s stop lying to ourselves, folks.

I don’t particularly believe that dessert is something that you should be counting calories for. If you have healthy levels of cholesterol and blood sugar and get at least some exercise, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a treat every now and then. Everyone believes that their whole world is ending if they eat a cupcake. Why is that?

It all stems from body-shaming.

I have been witness to people who body-shame themselves so that they feel bad enough about their weight or figure to not eat a cookie. A cookie. Young healthy adults refer to themselves as “pig” and “disgusting” after they eat a piece of cake. A piece of cake. I’ve heard healthy people whine about how fat they think they are while they’re eating dessert instead of simply enjoying it. This does sound ridiculous, does it not?

Why do we teach people to hate their bodies so strongly to the point that they feel it’s a sin to treat themselves to something sweet? If I want to eat a doughnut, I’m going to eat one. End of story. We should be able to feel confident in ourselves when we eat dessert because it’s something we’re supposed to enjoy, not cry into.

I’m not advocating for the incessant consumption of desserts or sweets in general; we all are aware that sweets and junk food are all okay to eat in moderation. If you do your part to keep your body healthy and moving, why not indulge in some pie and ice cream? If you’re that worried about your calories, then work out and burn them later. If you’re worried about the sugar and fat content, make some sugar-free, low-fat desserts yourself!

Hating yourself for eating dessert is unhealthy for your self-perception, and it’s time for that to stop. Get into your happy place when you indulge, and don’t let anyone ruin that for you.

If someone asks you, “Are you sure you want to eat that slice of pie?” eat the pie and offer them a slice. Let them know that eating dessert is actually okay if you’re healthy.

So, in the spirit of loving dessert, here are a few dessert recipes that you should treat yourself to. Let’s bring back dessert and put body-shaming to rest!