Do you have a "cheat" meal?

cincysweetheart

Depends on how you define "cheat meals." Do I eat pizza, hamburgers, ice cream, etc? Sure. But I fit it into my calorie goal. I don't consider it a cheat. Do I have days where I go over my calorie goal? Sure. I still don't consider it a cheat. It's called life happens. I also have meals where I don't bother to weigh or measure anything or even log…. I simply eat what I want, moderating the best I can and I usually pick a random really high number and log it under quick add calories (such as Thanksgiving dinner). That's what I consider a cheat meal. So, yes. I have them on rare occasion. Rare being the key word. And while I do call it my cheat meal… I waste the grand total of ZERO seconds feeling the least bit guilty about it. And I get right back on track for the next meal… not the next day… the next meal! It hasn't hurt my weight loss one bit!

metalheadjessus

Of course you can have a bit of what you fancy, you most certainly will not have failed! However, what I've found is that I feel less inclined to indulge in something unhealthy that I'm craving because now I know what work goes into burning that number of calories off so I find myself looking for or making a healthier alternative. If you are feeling guilty about it, then find a healthier version of it: thin crust with veggie toppings (I love rocket and baby tomatoes on pizza!), homemade with a small amount of cheese etc.

Like someone has already said, don't intentionally make a point of having a cheat meal, but if you fancy it, or have a special occasion coming up then there's no reason why you shouldn't have it, at least you will have earned it, and there's always a healthier version, alternative or recipe.

Fayeworth

Sunday is supposed to be my "cheat" day which is when I have something sweet. Last night it was homemade mint chocolate cheesecake but I only had the smallest of slices, I swam for 45 minutes during the day but I still felt guilty all night afterwards. This is something I personally need to work on because you should be able to have a "naughty" food if it is within your calorie goal and not feel bad so I say go for it if you want it.

Davies_EL

Oh I definitely do... In the long run when you deny yourself something entirely you want it more, so once in a while I kinda... ignore the calories. I figure if I'm not doing it every day why the hell not - it's closer to a healthy diet long term to get into the mindset that you haven't completely failed because you decided that piece of chocolate fudge cake was just calling to you, or there was a very delicious cheeseboard right there and it would be rude not to.

You just, eat more veg the next day.

Also, 50% rule your cheats - eat half. Decide then if you're satisfied with that and would you be eating more for the sake of it. If you're not, eat half of what remains and ask yourself the same question. Critically thinking about what you're eating and how much really helps without cutting out little indulgences altogether. See: http://frenchwomendontgetfat.com/content/portions-50-percent-solution

natttynoo

Thanks for everyone's advice had two small pieces of pizza and it satisfied my cravings. I was within my daily calories and I worked harder today so not feeling guilty

segacs

natttynoo wrote: »

Thanks for everyone's advice had two small pieces of pizza and it satisfied my cravings. I was within my daily calories and I worked harder today so not feeling guilty

Yay!

Jimmyftw94

BBQ spare ribs

girlviernes

Another vote for no cheat meals. If you need to cheat that is a sign that this may not be something you can sustain for the rest of your life. I don't need to cheat because a) nothing is off limits, b) I can easily make adjustments to fit things in, c) this is the rest of my life so if I overdo it on food for a day or even a week, I know I will get back into my normal eating patterns and continue with weight loss.

Th3Ph03n1x

natttynoo wrote: »

I have just started eating healthy and exercising have had a really good 10 days where I haven't eaten or drank any processed/fizzy/unhealthy things.
I have woke up this morning craving pizza. If I have a pizza this evening have I failed or can I just carry on as normal tomorrow and have a cheat meal once a week?

You can make room for it in your calories. Or you can have a cheat/indulgence meal/day. hubby and I have one day a week where we eat what we want. Note we don't use it as an excuse to pig out we just eat more less nurtient dense/more high cal options and thus it ends up being more calories. You can also do things to make pizza healthier. I'm dying to try a pizza sub with zucchini crust. I like pizza and i love zucchini win/win.