What's the point of cheat meals?

UpEarly

I actually am not a fan of 'cheat days' or 'cheat meals'. I think 'cheating' has negative connotations and implies that you're dieting/restricting/denying, rather than making a permanent, sustainable lifestyle change.

I eat whatever I like, every single day - provided it stays within my calorie goals. I'm pretty tall, very active and am only trying to lose a half pound per week, so I typically get to eat between 1800-2500 calories a day. You can enjoy *a lot* of food with that kind of calorie goal! :-)

I don't feel any guilt when I eat a few pieces of pizza or a slice of cake, because it fits into my overall healthy diet. I think if I had tried to follow a 1200 calorie plan with all clean eating, I would have fallen off the wagon a long time ago!

Of course... different things work for different people. Moderation is just what works best for me.

smcwllms

If I have given 100% in the gym all week, and if I have very strictly eaten what I should in the amounts I should, I let myself have a cheat meal on Friday night. I can eat/drink anything I like, as much as I like. As I have lost weight, this has turned less and less from a gorging into just a pleasant departure, allowing a few things I don't normally consume, including my favorite libation, Jameson Irish Whiskey. I just can't eat or drink nearly as much as I could before. I don't feel a bit guilty, as this keeps me from feeling that I can't have any variety. It's worked well for me, and I really enjoy it. I very much look forward in the gym on Friday to putting in extra effort, as it seems I'm earning a reward.

jovz10

to me, cheat days is when i go over my sugar/carb limit... being filipino, can't help it but i stay under my calories... christmas is one example.... my mom made me sweet rice dessert and i had it for two days... can't resist my mom's cooking... sorry!

sbeisel1

Being obsessed about only eating good foods and feeling guilty about eating "bad" things is heading down the path of an unhealthly relationship with food imo. You should be able to enjoy foods you like and not feel guilty about it

VERY good point.

raevynn

"Celebration foods" should become a normal part of one's life -- occasional, eaten mindfully, maybe a slightly smaller portion than one used to eat... but enjoyed.

"Free days" are the occasional day to say "f__ logging, I'm just taking the day off"... which I did for two holidays, and might occasionally do (once a month?), just as a way to give it a break. I don't generally eat "bad" on free days... I just don't log it.

Over calorie days balance under calorie days. If I'm over, you might notice that my diary shows that I'm often under, too.

Trigger foods, however... those are what I really watch out for. I cannot eat tortilla chips. If we are out to dinner at a mexican restaurant, the chip basket "does not exist"... I might, once in awhile, go get some baked chips, and splurge on those, but I cannot do that more than once a month - because I know me.

I used to have a "splurge" meal of a dozen vegan tacos. Now, my splurge is 6 vegan tacos... and, I'm starting to think it's time to dial it back to 4 tacos. This is progress that I can see. :happy:

We all have to figure out for ourselves how to make this a lifestyle, and not a "diet".. how to live as a thinner person with a healthy relationship to food. How to get all the pleasure from eating that we should, without having to be "stuffed", and being able to make choices about it, rather than finding ourselves bingeing when we do have occasions to celebrate.

Maybe seeing a "cheat" day as a "practice eating like naturally thin people" day? *grin*

kekl

To me this is a lifestyle, not a diet. And what is life without some dirrrrty junk food every once in a while?

Everything in moderation!

Boring2Fit

Thanks everyone, the information has been very helpful. Also, I've been feeling guilty after eating for many years now so I think it's quite normal but thanks for the concern. For those who asked, my daily calorie goal is 1350 calories but it used to be 1200 until a few days ago when someone advice me not to.

FJHutch

To me this is a lifestyle, not a diet. And what is life without some dirrrrty junk food every once in a while?

Everything in moderation!

Amen to that!
I find it helps me feel much more in control if I accept there will be days when I go over my goal calorie limit. It is my daughters birthday in a couple of weeks. There will be cake and sweets and I will have some of them. I am finding that planning and accepting is stopping me trying not to have some of the less healthy food, cracking, binging and then feeling really rubbish like I have ruined everything and so might as well eat everything in sight.

Boring2Fit

To me this is a lifestyle, not a diet. And what is life without some dirrrrty junk food every once in a while?

Everything in moderation!

Amen to that!
I find it helps me feel much more in control if I accept there will be days when I go over my goal calorie limit. It is my daughters birthday in a couple of weeks. There will be cake and sweets and I will have some of them. I am finding that planning and accepting is stopping me trying not to have some of the less healthy food, cracking, binging and then feeling really rubbish like I have ruined everything and so might as well eat everything in sight.

I forgot to mention that I hate fast food and most junk food so I don't think I'll binge plus when I go out with friends and family I don't eat much. This isn't because of the 'diet' or whatever, I have genuinely despised most fatty foods for almost all my life. My body doesn't take it in very well (I get food poisoning from simply eating out) but a part of me doesn't like it because it means I'm eating fat.

Elf_Princess1210

I don't like the term cheat meal. I call them treat meals. I try to allow myself a treat meal once or twice a month, where I can eat something I really like. For example, I love Chinese food. I let myself have Chinese food and use portion control. This way even if I go over my calorie limit I practiced portion control. I'm trying to change my lifestyle.