Allowing yourself a treat to avoid bingeing

Tina2Cats

Tonight, I ate a butterfinger and it was yummy. It was 270 calories, but I managed to stay under my daily calorie allowance. I decided I am no longer going to deny myself life's small pleasures/indulgences. Maybe this will cut down on my binges. Sometimes, like tonight, I have a sweet tooth for something sweet and/or chocolatety and instead of denying myself and later binging, I bought myself a butterfinger and enjoyed it and felt satisfied afterwards.

What are your experiences with allowing yourself sweets/treats in order to avoid binging later?

LiveTheLifeYouWillLove

I think its totally fine to allow yourself to eat treats. Food is supposed to be enjoyed. One of the things I cut out daily is cream and sugar in my coffee. However, occassionally I allow it because like you said, it prevents me from binge eating. I feel like if I make a conscious decision to eat something sugary or high fat, I have the power. I also make a deal with myself...I set limits on my treats and make sure that I am also exercising. No exercise, no treats! It also gives me incentive to exercise. I tell myself(apparently I talk to myself a lot) that my required exercise is X amount but if I want a special indulgence I have to do X + ___(ie 300 cal burn). Now that I've learned a bit more about how many calories, etc are in the food I eat and the extra snacks that I want, I know what I need to do to get it. I am essentially Pavlov's dog...lol!

knittnponder

I had two pieces of chocolate cake today but I still managed to come in under my goal. I don't normally eat two pieces of cake in one day! I only realized after the second one that I was a raging ball of hormones but nobody died and now the stupid cake is gone so I'm not worried about it. Like I said, I don't normally eat even one, let alone two pieces of cake in one day. Darn birthdays.

needsalife3

I think the point is for us to control the food, not the food to control us. I eat indulgences a couple of times a week. Sat night I eat exactly what I want. Another time or two a week I eat a piece of cake, candy or a fast food burger. During the week I try not to go over my calories (or not much over). On Sat I log it, but don't care if I'm 500+ calories over. Absolutely. I've decided I'm going to be in control and have what I really want. Sometimes I find it satisfying, sometimes I don't (cupcake this week). It's all in relearning how to eat.

danmcgarrigle5

if I have a craving I eat it, I don't fight it because I know I will end up binging on it later if I don't. I'm just careful and log the calories and as long as I stay in my goal range I'm good with it. Better to eat one slice of cake today then the whole thing three days later. Not only do you go way over on calories then, but you feel hungrier for rea food and then go over on those as well

lives21

I'll typically have a treat meal once a week. It's not a reward, but a way to ease me into healthy eating and honestly it keeps me sane. Sometimes since I have to wait all week for it to roll around and during the week I get cravings, I'll have something small to keep me from getting so obsessed with a bad food and hitting a drive through or something. My favorite right now is dark chocolate covered pretzels or almonds. These are small, under 100 calorie delicious treats that keep me going through the week. Plus the flavors are decadent and also salty and sweet, so I'm hitting everything I'm craving whether it is salty or sweet. Took me a while to figure this one out.

valeriewxy

If I have a craving for something, I usually have it if it works into my cals. If it's the start of the day and I want burgers for dinner, then I'll eat lighter for breakfast and lunch ^_^ Similarly, I'll have a lighter dinner if I've snacked on ice cream or something during the day ^^ I know I've still got 2 mini Ben & Jerry's ice cream sitting in my fridge and I'm saving them for the weekend when I work out more and will have the cals to fit those babies in XD

allison0820

I think if you allow for those treats you are fine!!! I have late night cravings all the time, I just try to be sure to stay within calorie goal...

kaybelieve

I had a yorkie today and it was so much nicer than any I've ever had simply because I knew I'd earned it. I'm under my calorie goal, I'm still getting everything I need so why shouldn't I?

spamantha57

I do it. The more I deprive myself of something the more I'll think of it & when the time comes for me to have it I'd eat more than planning.
Perfect example: I learned not to give up alcohol or cheese for Lent (40 days.) The time I gave up alcohol, I was beyond plastered 3 days after, & when I gave up cheese I ended up eating a whole block/ 1lb of mozzarella for 3 or 4 days in a row. Lesson learned. Moderation.

JennetteMac

I love the idea and would subscribe to it completely.
Except...
I allow myself a small treat, ensure I am below my daily calorie allowance, then discover that I have put on weight the next day.
Explain....?

:explode:

rduhlir

I always have a treat. Every day. Yesterday I had cookies, the day before I had ice cream, the day before that I had a cupcake. Allowing yourself a small treat every day is great, it curves your sweet tooth and allows a few moments of food bliss. As for the posters who say they have a small treat and gain the next day, it is water weight. Especially if the treat is high in sodium. I don't pay attention to the weight fluctuations no more. I average about 2-4 lbs in fluctuation anyway...the faster you learn your fluctuation rate the better you will sleep at night, trust me.

ChristinaR720

I think the only way to make this lifestyle change sustainable is to allow yourself to eat the things you enjoy, as long as you do so in moderation. When doing so, try to stay within your macros, treat yourself in moderation, and don't allow yourself to feel guilty for having that treat. I have seen a number of people beat themselves up over eating a cookie, because in doing so, they believe they have failed or "cheated". Allowing yourself to eat the things you love (in moderation, of course) is not failing or cheating at anything--it's allowing yourself to live your life.

majope

Works for me! I have a small treat almost every day, and a treat meal once or twice a week. Always keep it within my day's calories, and it doesn't interfere with my weight loss.

JenetteMac: A treat that stays within your daily calorie goal will not make you put on weight overnight. It takes 3500 calories above what you need to create a pound of fat. What you might see on the scale is increased water retention, because your treat contained either/both more sodium or carbs than you're used to. Both will make you hold onto water, but it's just temporary--not a genuine weight gain.

evileen99

I have chocolate every single day. Some days I manage to squeeze in ice cream as well. Moderation, moderation. And exercise, exercise.

jakidb

i think it's okay to "treat yourself" every now and then as long as you stay within your recommended calories. I agree, when you put too many stipulations on what you CAN'T have, it literally drives someone to "cheat". On the flip side I believe that one shld only indulge periodically--there are way to many healthy foods that our bodies need and there are to many "alternatives" that can be found to substitute for what we call "treats".

Trust me, love me some "sweets", but I'm finding there are good substitutes as well that are BETTER for ME.

ctooch99

I think the only way to make this lifestyle change sustainable is to allow yourself to eat the things you enjoy, as long as you do so in moderation. When doing so, try to stay within your macros, treat yourself in moderation, and don't allow yourself to feel guilty for having that treat. I have seen a number of people beat themselves up over eating a cookie, because in doing so, they believe they have failed or "cheated". Allowing yourself to eat the things you love (in moderation, of course) is not failing or cheating at anything--it's allowing yourself to live your life.

^^^^ THIS. I make a bit of a game out of it myself. For example, I love pizza so I say to myself, how can I eat pizza and still feel good about it? So I get pizza with veggies on it now instead of pepperoni. Still delicious and satisfying, fits well within my numbers and I feel good about it. Instead of eating highly refined, processed Butterfinger bars, try to shift to all natural candy treats - Green and Black's chocolate is exceptionally good and still provides some decent nutrients while awesomely satisfying the choco-craving.

palmerar

I had a Three Musketeers and a Diet Coke yesterday. I had been feeling hungry all day and when my healthy snacks, tea and water didn't work I went ahead and gave in to my craving. Once I indulged I felt full for a long time and came in right under my goal for the day. I had been eyeing up the candy aisle when checking out of every store recently so I knew it was coming.

Catlady87

For me as long as I'm within my calorie goal I'll have it. Last night it was about 10pm and I really wanted sons chocolate. Instead of making a mini choc cake I decided to have 5g of plain chocolate chips (25ish cals). Hit the chocolate craving and saved me a bunch of calories.
I find that I'm wanting mini portions or single serving desserts so that there isn't 3/4s of a cake or cheesecake so similar lurking in the fridge.
I don't consider them treats really, and yes I may go over my macros but on the whole my calorie control is great. The few times I have gone over its been by between 40-100 and one day I we t over by about 200 but the deficit I had the 2 days before that more than made up for it.

Tina2Cats

Wow! I really appreciate all the responses to my post and glad to know that I'm not the only one who indulges in treats daily or once in a while. Like many of you say, as long as I stay within my calories, I should be fine. Eating a treat is better than binging. That's for sure.

RobynMWilson

I allow myself a couple of cookies a couple of times per week as dessert and I allow no more than 2 cheat meals per week. That' has kept me on the beam for over 20 years. I eat well about 85% of the time and like slop the other 15% and that works. I don't really crave junk food because I allow that little bit and physically I usually feel like crap afterwards, so that really helps keep me on the beam lol

red_road

Those sleeves of mini chocolate at walmart are great for this! And their dirt cheap. I like the mini snickers and twix, they also have reese but i think those are reg size...but they are individually wrapped so atleast its not 3 at a time.

CyberEd312

No food is off limits for me as long as it fits into my daily caloric intake, so I say you are perfectly fine having that candy bar if it fits into your plans... There was such a time (in the beginning at 560 lbs.) that I had to rid the house of all trigger foods but after I got a handle on my eating and food addictions I started introducing things back into my diet in moderation and have not looked back since.. Best of Luck to you.....

BrendaLee

I have a homemade iced cappuccino in the evening. I need something to look forward to, especially with a store full of treats right across the street. 155 calories, and after I'm done, I feel like I ate a pint of coffee ice cream.

squirrelzzrule22

There are one or two days in a month where I am GOING TO EAT CHOCOLATE. Just TRY and stop me. I work out a bit extra that day, I remember that one (or two) days does NOT mean I'm going to gain a million pounds (don't forget you're eating a deficit...so even going OVER your budget one day just puts you at losing less or at WORST maintaining....it would take MANY extra treats to get into gaining), and I know that if I just denied myself I'd be miserable. Sometimes I'll buy a really nice little piece from whole foods...it feels so decadent!!

Have a treat (on occasion and staying close to calorie budget) and you'll be fine! Good luck!

janeilm89

I ate TWO oatmeal raisin walnut cookies last night. Those suckers were good. I gave into the temptation, and at first I felt bad, but I see the container sitting on my counter and don't feel the desire to have anymore. I satisfied a craving, it fit into my calorie allowance, no harm, no foul.

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Geeky_Girl

I am slowly adjusting to this idea. I used to binge all the time. I cut out all the things I loved to eat to avoid binging. Now I'm working those things back in, just in moderation. It's slow, but I haven't binged and I ate pizza the other day (the kind with a flour crust, not broccoli or cauliflower )

AlabasterVerve

For me, limiting desserts and sugary treats to holidays and special occasions works best -- the less I eat them the less I want them. But I enjoy delicious, well seasoned, full fat food every day so my diet is not a hardship. If I was eating what I consider typical diet food everyday (rice cakes, baked chicken breasts and plain vegetables etc.) daily treats would probably be the incentive I'd need to keep me on track and not miserable.

Chrissy292018

When I have a craving I usually buy whatever it is. Snickers candy bars are my favorite! Once I buy it I lose the urge but save it just in case that urge comes back. Waiting to eat it the next day also works for me because the craving is gone. It's like just having it with me makes a difference.