cheat meal

scorrea2

So just wondering how often should I have a cheat meal?

_John_

that depends on too many factors to answer this question with any reliability.

techgal128

I usually have a cheat meal every week. It doesn't usually throw me too far off my macros. Every 2-3 weeks though I go hog wild and eat a massive meal without regard to calories. As long as it doesn't trigger further binges, it should be fine. I've lost almost 50 pounds AND kept my sanity this way.

ibamosaserreinas

I don't do cheat meals.

It is to "diet-y" for me. The whole concept of a cheat meal makes me feel like I am on a diet and not that I am actually making lifestyle changes. I work to eat foods that I really like in moderation on a regular basis or if some foods are just too unhealthy I try to replace them with better choices. So I eat one slice of pizza. I eat one small piece of cake.

Honestly, eating healthy becomes an acquired taste. I have gotten to a point where I truly love the healthy food I eat. It takes some time.

I work the foods into my calorie and macro ranges and try not to go over too often.

scorrea2

I've been doing well for the most part but recently I have been having binges so I'm thinking that adding a planned cheat meal would help curb them.

techgal128

ibamosaserreinas wrote: »

I don't do cheat meals.

It is to "diet-y" for me. The whole concept of a cheat meal makes me feel like I am on a diet and not that I am actually making lifestyle changes. I work to eat foods that I really like in moderation on a regular basis or if some foods are just too unhealthy I try to replace them with better choices. So I eat one slice of pizza. I eat one small piece of cake.

Honestly, eating healthy becomes an acquired taste. I have gotten to a point where I truly love the healthy food I eat. It takes some time.

I work the foods into my calorie and macro ranges and try not to go over too often.

ONE slice of pizza?? LIES! No one can eat one slice of pizza! Lies I tell you.

4leighbee

ibamosaserreinas wrote: »

I don't do cheat meals.

It is to "diet-y" for me. The whole concept of a cheat meal makes me feel like I am on a diet and not that I am actually making lifestyle changes. I work to eat foods that I really like in moderation on a regular basis or if some foods are just too unhealthy I try to replace them with better choices. So I eat one slice of pizza. I eat one small piece of cake.

Honestly, eating healthy becomes an acquired taste. I have gotten to a point where I truly love the healthy food I eat. It takes some time.

I work the foods into my calorie and macro ranges and try not to go over too often.

This is a sensible approach. If you tell me I'm on a diet, I will sabotage it. (Don't tell me what to do.)

Francl27

As little as possible.

corinic91

scorrea2 wrote: »

I've been doing well for the most part but recently I have been having binges so I'm thinking that adding a planned cheat meal would help curb them.

I started planning weekly cheat meals to combat this. It works for me
It's most helpful when I know what the meal is going to be, e.g., going out to Yard House with my old roommates this weekend, I know I'll want beer and apps. That gives me something specific to look forward to and plan for as opposed to "I can't have this now because I'll probably do something later" -- that is more likely to lead to a binge during the week.

ibamosaserreinas

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ONE slice of pizza?? LIES! No one can eat one slice of pizza! Lies I tell you.
[/quote]

LOL. It is tough! I usually will stare at the pizza and choose the largest slice in the box!

jenna80302

Personally instead of a cheat meal I try not to deprive myself... By eating whole fresh and nutritious food that satisfies me has helped WAY more than trying to eat one slice of pizza or a cookie!

Annanna91

I have one "cheat meal" a week, usually on a Saturday night after I've finished work. Although I class it as a treat I'm still below my calorie goals and my nutritionist too bad either. I just make sure that I don't go wild. I eat healthy the rest of the week and my teas are usually vegetables with meat.

ana3067

I never have cheat meals, but that's because I don't restrict any foods. I can easily buy a pizza locally and have 1-2 slices a day until it is gone, and be within my calories. I have eaten plenty of chocolate since Christmas. I also have a reasonable calorie goal (increased to 2200 due to poor gym performance -- and hey, one week on this higher number and I finally deadlifted 200lbs despite only being at 185lbs a week ago after a mild deload!)

HOWEVER, I've taken diet breaks as I felt necessary. Meaning eating exactly the same as I do now, only eating at maintenance calories.

The person who eats the most and eats the food s/he loves while also losing weight is the winner.

chrisdavey

Do you need one physiologically or psychologically?

If you are having binge issues because of restriction (common) then I would be aiming to get to the eating in moderation more frequently rather than deprivation and then gluttony.

ana3067

chrisdavey wrote: »

Do you need one physiologically or psychologically?

If you are having binge issues because of restriction (common) then I would be aiming to get to the eating in moderation more frequently rather than deprivation and then gluttony.

agreed