Personal trainer spills the ‘four-bite rule’ she swears by – and it’s the secret to scoring your dream summer body

A fitness expert has shared the dessert rule she swears by when indulging  – and it’s been dubbed ‘life changing’ by those who have tried it.

Lindsey Matthews, a metabolism and hormone expert who specialises in women’s health and fitness, regularly shares easy to follow tips online.

And most recently she wowed body builder Brad Jensen when she told him about her ‘four-bite’ dessert rule in a podcast.

‘You eat about four bites of dessert then call it quits,’ he summarised.

‘The first bite is so delicious, the second one is still really good, the third is pretty good but not as good as the second – and the fourth is good but not as good as first.’

Speaking to FEMAIL, Lindsey Matthews said that having a small treat daily can actually help people control their sweet tooth.

‘I think that when you try to cut something out completely it only makes you want it more. So I’m all about moderation and including your favorite food in small amounts,’ she said. 

Lindsey’s favourite indulgence is something called a ‘pizookie’, a freshly baked cookie topped with a big scoop of ice cream. 

Fitness fanatics were loving the American trainer’s moderation-based approach to enjoying decadent sweets, with many saying they couldn’t wait to try it.

‘I’ve done this for years…four bites and you can enjoy without too much consequence,’ one woman said.

‘This is so d*** true! Four bites versus feeling sick after eating the whole thing,’ another agreed. 

‘This is a great idea… I have such a sweet tooth and I love my desserts…Definitely worth a try!’ one chimed in. 

Others insisted that four bites was just not enough when it came to some desserts.

‘You’ve apparently never eaten vanilla Costco cake, 32 bites later and it’s still amazing…stop with all this nonsense,’ one woman joked.

Another shot back that four bites was all it took for them to eat an entire dessert: ‘If it takes you more than four bites to eat dessert, then you’re doing it wrong.’

One man simply refused to practice any restraint when it came to indulging in sweets.

‘If I’m starting it, I’m finishing it – that’s the rule,’ he said. 

High performance Australian dietitian and coach Jessica Spendlove told FEMAIL she’d pass on the method.

‘That could be a strategy that some people might find helpful but if you’re having dessert which should be enjoyed and it’s not something you do often, just eat the whole dessert and enjoy it,’ Jessica said.

Instead she shared a method she recommends to her clients.  

‘Have a nutritious high protein snack first like Greek yoghurt or cheese and crackers – and then have the sweet afterwards,’ she said.

Jessica explained that a craving for sweets can just be an indication that you’re hungry for food in general, so eat something good for you first and then enjoy your treat to follow.