Please stop calling it a "cheat meal!"

24

Replies

  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,140 Member
    I don't use the term myself, I simply have days I stick to my calorie allowance, days I eat at maintenance and the rare day when I go over maintenance but no Amen from me, because I couldn't care less what anyone else refers to a meal as.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    I don't call it cheat meal, but I don't have an issue with people that do either.

    To me, it is all energy balance. I plan my surplus days into my deficit so I can indulge on weekends. If I do an unplanned surplus and my macros and nutrition go out the window, I just eat a bit lighter and balance my macros better the next day or during the week... no big deal. That works for me
  • LadyLilion
    LadyLilion Posts: 276 Member
    I don't call it a cheat day or cheat meal...because this isn't a game. I can't call it "no logging" because I log it, no matter what it does to my weekly average...BECAUSE of what it does...I want a record of it. So I call it a *kitten* it meal/day. Sometimes you've got to say *kitten* it.
  • Mezzie1024
    Mezzie1024 Posts: 380 Member
    I don't like the term or its euphemisms and don't use it, but I think it's way too ingrained in diet culture to eradicate.

    I do tend to think people who need a cheat meal as a carrot to get them through the week probably either set their calorie goal too low or imposed entirely too many diet restrictions on themselves, but it's their business, not mine.
  • fromaquasar1
    fromaquasar1 Posts: 51 Member
    MommyMeggo wrote: »
    I personally call mine an "IDGAF meal.... "

    ^^This is awesome.

    Works for some, not for others, each to their own!
  • Goober1142
    Goober1142 Posts: 219 Member
    It's def a cheat day! Cheat cheat cheat!
  • inertiastrength
    inertiastrength Posts: 2,343 Member
    DrizztGirl82 wrote: »
    I use the term cheat days. Personally, I think if you are upset that people are using terms such as this, you may need to figure out why you are upset about that. It does nothing to you. You can still follow your calorie goal and do your own thing. Why does it bother you so much that someone says they had a cheat meal or day?

    pretty much this.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I don't log...I just do my thing...sometimes I'm sure I'm over calories and other times I'm sure I'm under...I'm just good livin' for the most part, and no worse for the wear.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    Am I the only one that found this odd?
    As humans, we are not meant to eat the same number of calories every single day of our lives. It's not normal, it is not natural.

    Two things:

    1) It may not be normal or natural, but it's not abnormal or unnatural, either.
    2) We generally won't do that, anyway, regardless if there's a cheat meal or not - especially here on MFP. Here, we'd typically (although, not if using a TDEE method of weight management) eat exercise Cals earned, which would likely be different from day to day, especially if it were a rest day. Additionally, if not using MFP (or some other Calorie tracker), people would often eat more if exercising anyway.

    So, it seems to be irrelevant on at least two fronts, if not completely accurate in the first place.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    TR0berts wrote: »
    Am I the only one that found this odd?
    As humans, we are not meant to eat the same number of calories every single day of our lives. It's not normal, it is not natural.

    Two things:

    1) It may not be normal or natural, but it's not abnormal or unnatural, either.
    2) We generally won't do that, anyway, regardless if there's a cheat meal or not - especially here on MFP. Here, we'd typically (although, not if using a TDEE method of weight management) eat exercise Cals earned, which would likely be different from day to day, especially if it were a rest day. Additionally, if not using MFP (or some other Calorie tracker), people would often eat more if exercising anyway.

    So, it seems to be irrelevant on at least two fronts, if not completely accurate in the first place.

    Yeah, I count calories every single day and I never eat the same amount of calories. My Fitbit adjustments are slightly different each day and even if they were not, I naturally go over and days and under others and it all balances out within the context of the week.

    So even if it was true that we were not "meant" to eat the same number of calories each day, even people who avoid "cheat meals" are usually going to be varying their calories.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    IMO, if you're reaching your weekly goal, how the hell is that cheating?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
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    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • happysherri
    happysherri Posts: 1,360 Member
    I call mine a "Splurge" meal. But most call it a "cheat" meal. So if I want to do a search on the net I will get more from searching the word 'cheat'. Just the way it is. Kinda like the word 'tone' and the word muscle :p blah
  • mph323
    mph323 Posts: 3,563 Member
    I think calling them cheat meals/days helps some people feel more in control of their eating. A "cheat" (or "treat" or whatever you want to call it) meal/day can allow a person to understand that whether planned or not one meal/day won't negate the work they've previously put into their weight loss efforts. Going back to their routine afterwards, seeing some weight gain due to eating more/different food than they're used to, then watching that weight dissipate over a week or so and their normal losing pattern start again can be both informative and reassuring.

    I don't have a specific name for when I eat over my calorie limit and I don't consciously try to make up for the overage (although often I'm less hungry and feel more energized the next day or so and think I've reached a point where I tend to naturally regulate). I weigh myself every day and take notice of the ups and downs, but I understand that even gaining a couple of lbs on a long vacation has no meaning in the long run.
  • BurgerLovinBulker
    BurgerLovinBulker Posts: 38 Member
    MontyMuttland wrote: »
    If you've committed yourself to a diet plan in order to lose weight and you decide to throw it aside for one meal/one day/whatever, then you have cheated on the diet plan, it's really that simple.
    Call a spade a spade, why hide from what you're doing? Do you want someone to congratulate you for failing to stick to your resolve?
    Then next time you're about to cheat, ask yourself do you really want to stay fat?

    I completely agree. After my first cheat meal I was hesitant, looking at the scale the next morning. After my second I was committed to maintaining the 'mental fortitude', so to speak.
  • Fitness_and_FODMAP
    Fitness_and_FODMAP Posts: 72 Member
    I agree ... You're not taking an exam or doing something behind a person's back, so what or who exactly are you cheating on!?!
  • vnb_208
    vnb_208 Posts: 1,359 Member
    lindsaydlane96 wrote: »
    I have maintenance days :)

    second that ! I try to do a maintenance day once every 2 months or so
  • kyubeans
    kyubeans Posts: 135 Member
    I think people will do what they have to, and call it what they have to.

    You make a good point though, OP. I have been dieting almost all my adult life and have always referred to it as a "cheat" meal. But now I'm all-in on the "it's a lifestyle change, not a diet!" thing so calling it a "cheat" meal didn't feel right to me. I am now referring to it as Indulgences. It reminds me that indulgences are ok but they're not meant to be all day everyday.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    Troll posting in MFP...

    Who would of thunk?
  • Bonny132
    Bonny132 Posts: 3,617 Member
    kavahni wrote: »
    Can I get an amen?
    Food sustains us. Food delights us. Food bedevils us. But food is what powers our bodies. As humans, we are not meant to eat the same number of calories every single day of our lives. It's not normal, it is not natural. Allowing ourselves to eat the wonderful things that we love is not "Cheating." We are not bad.
    Just sayin'.

    No amen for me.

    I track all I eat, whether it is a cheat meal or a low calorie meal. My cheat meal I look forward to weekly. I can have my cake and eat it. Cheese. Chicken wings. Pork Belly. Ice cream! Knowing I can have my cheat meal each Saturday keeps my cravings under control.

    A cheat meal is not bad, it is simply eating something you don't normally allow yourself to eat. I think the question is rather why the term upsets you so much you have to make a post about it? Do you have any underlying food or cheating issues?
  • lucypstacy
    lucypstacy Posts: 178 Member
    Honestly, I don't worry too much what people call something. It might feel more comfortable for them.

    I actually haven't gone over my calories yet, although I figure I will at some point.
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