Tel Aviv University researchers have released research results that suggest eating some sweets after breakfast may help you lose weight over the long term. The study involved about 200 non-diabetic patients which were all considered obese by clinical definition. Each was randomly assigned to a group who either consumed a 300 calorie breakfast or a 600 calorie breakfast which always included cookies, cake, or some chocolate.

Essentially, both groups lost an average of 33 pounds in the first 16 weeks. The difference came in the second 16 weeks. By the end of the 32 weeks, those who skipped the dessert regained an average of 22 pounds. Those who were in the dessert-eating group continued weight loss and shed an average 15 pounds more. In the end, the dessert group lost an average of 40 more pounds more than the others.

The layman’s explanation is simple. The people who abstained from sweets experienced more cravings throughout the day and gave into the cravings more often. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it is also when our appetite is smallest. So if you get your metabolism jump started early and eat that snack first, you have all day to burn it and you won’t be distracted by your cravings.

Keeping extra weight off long term is one of the biggest challenges. This finding could be a key component to helping people eat a steady balanced diet. If you combine this type of strategy with some moderate exercise, weight loss doesn’t have to be a mystery equation. Eat light at night and have sweets early in the day.

Let’s see what the reaction is on Twitter:

I’m here to serve … cake. MT @Cljohnst: Cake for breakfast? To lose weight? Thanks @gangrey for brightening my day. tampabay.com/news/health/re…

— Ben Montgomery (@gangrey) February 9, 2012

Yay! I have an essay in here! MT @avilandie: advanced reading copies of Wedding Cake for Breakfast arrived-gorgeous! twitter.com/avilandie/stat…

— Kristen Weber (@kristenwEditor) February 9, 2012

[new post] I made King Cake Cupcakes. And had one for breakfast today. j.mp/zKjRb1

— Shawnda (@foodiebride) February 9, 2012

It sounds like people are happy with the idea so far. Speaking of Twitter, I just read an article where a man had the idea to use Twitter to track his diet progress. The main gist is that, at first he was inspired by his idea, but he quickly became embarrassed by his late-night fatty food feasts and long periods of inactivity on Twitter do to his shameful diet.

As his tweets will reveal, he persisted and did lose weight. One thing that struck me about his story is how others began to tweet their diets to him. They would share tales of high calorie meals and compare weight loss secrets.

Here’s a brief chronology of his work with the Twitter diet:

Last nite: asparagus sted of fries, but too much alcohol. Today: fruit; then sushi, little bit of soy sauce, 1 cookie sted of usual 3.

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter25) March 4, 2010

Until last month, I sometimes ordered 2 melts, 2 hash browns — 88% of day’s fat, 100% of saturated fat — for breakfast. Disturbing.

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter25) April 28, 2010

In exactly two months, I have dropped 25 pounds. Now, my new goal: to lose 25 more pounds by my 25th birthday, 9/3.

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter25) May 3, 2010

I started this Twitter feed at 270 pounds. I think I maxed out between 275 and 280. But now I’m at 220. I’d like to be under 200.

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter25) June 28, 2010