Cake is a popular American dessert, and whether you're celebrating a holiday or someone's birthday, cake is usually present and hard to avoid. While cake is not typically a part of any healthy eating plan, there are ways to alter a cake recipe to make it low fat. But the question remains...is low fat cake healthy?

Low Fat Cake

The short answer is simply no. While low fat cake might be better for you than regular cake--and by far the better option while dieting--low fat cake does not offer you nutrients that benefit your health. Depending on the type of low fat cake you indulge in, it could still be loaded with calories and sugar. Low fat simply means that the fat content has been reduced, but other unhealthy elements could remain high.

Comparing Cakes

While cake, regardless of which kind, should not be viewed as a healthy food, there are certain cakes that are kinder to your waistline than others. If you are looking to lose weight, you should opt for a cake that is lighter and lower in calories.

Let's examine the calorie content in different cakes. A generous slice of regular cake contains around 340 calories and 130 calories from fat. However, a slice of lighter cake, such as angelfood, contains only 75 calories, with about 5 of them being from fat. A piece of fruitcake is around 140 calories and 35 calories from fat.

As far as calories go, angelfood cake would be the best option if you're on a diet. To add nutrition to this dessert, simply top the cake with strawberries and other berries you enjoy. This way, you'll be satisfying your sweet tooth and your health.

Making it Better

If you'd like to make a standard birthday cake, there are ways to shave calories and fat from the cake during the preparation process. Simply take your favorite cake mix, and add 3 egg whites, 1/3 cup low fat applesauce and 1 ¼ cup water. Mix it up and bake it according to the instructions. By keeping oil and egg yolks out of the batter, you can save yourself around 50 calories a slice (more depending on the size of the slice).

You could even mash up a banana and add it to the batter to boost the cake's nutritional content. If you're making a double layer cake, you can sneak some nutrients into the cake by making a frosting of cool whip and sliced strawberries to connect the layers. Add some berries to the top of the cake as well, along with other fruits that you enjoy. Fruit will not only look pretty on top of your cake, it will add flavor and sweetness to it as well.

If you don't enjoy the taste of low fat cake, go for the regular cake to ensure your craving is satisfied. However, only eat cake on special occasions, and always consume cake in moderation.