Is this considered a cheat meal?

I don't see anything as a cheat meal as long as you stay within your calorie and macro goals for the day.

Take today for example, I've been craving pizza. So I'm making sure I have enough calories, etc in my day to have a slice for lunch. I don't consider that 'cheating' it is just managing my calories, which is what I do every day. Just making sure today is a day where I do strength training and a little extra walking so I don't go over my limits.

Do I do it every day? No. But when I have a specific craving, I'd rather satisfy it than let it build up to a binge.

The only problem I see is that you might have measured using a cup rather than weighing the cereal.

+1. I don't see how cereal, for breakfast of all things, could be cheating.

Because cereal is usually full of sugar, and there are plenty of other ways to have breakfast - most of which include a lot less sugar and a lot less calories.

"a lot less calories?" My goodness I'd hate to see what a normal breakfast quod like by those standards. 3 egg whites perhaps and a slice of low calorie, dry toast?

A bowl of cereal is not a cheat meal. Not to offend, but get a grip.

No need to be rude, I was just wondering considering cereal has a lot of sugar and I usually eat organic or extremely clean. You should get a grip and learn to keep your rude comments to yourself or just don't answer at all. I've seen you on other questions and you're rude to everyone so I won't take it to heart

Oh sweetie.........just a bit of advice. It's not wise to call someone out when you asked for advice - this won't end well.

Maybe instead of focusing on the advice you did not like - maybe you should have said "thanks" to those who gave replies you liked. Some of us are here to be supportive even though we do not coddle or "sugar coat" our answers - pardon the pun!

:flowerforyou:

Well I am thankful for all the nice and helpful answers and I would have been thankful for her answer too if she didn't add "get a grip" which isn't really a nice thing to say to someone whose here looking for advice. If she needs to be rude in order to give advice than why be on here giving advice at all? Bye "sweetie"

I love it when people ask stupid, attention seeking questions and then get all arsey when they get the answer the deserve.

The only problem I see is that you might have measured using a cup rather than weighing the cereal.

+1. I don't see how cereal, for breakfast of all things, could be cheating.

Because cereal is usually full of sugar, and there are plenty of other ways to have breakfast - most of which include a lot less sugar and a lot less calories.

There's nothing wrong with sugar. In fact, from a biological standpoint, it's very much a good thing.

Doesn't it burn pretty much directly into fat?

Not at all. Every cell in your body relies on sugar for fuel.

Even if that's the case, it's still extra, unnecessary calories.

And you do realize that in order to be healthy our body requires calories...there is a threshold below which we are harming ourselves. I'd be willing to bet that you're under that threshold based on your responses.

The only problem I see is that you might have measured using a cup rather than weighing the cereal.

+1. I don't see how cereal, for breakfast of all things, could be cheating.

Because cereal is usually full of sugar, and there are plenty of other ways to have breakfast - most of which include a lot less sugar and a lot less calories.

There's nothing wrong with sugar. In fact, from a biological standpoint, it's very much a good thing.

Doesn't it burn pretty much directly into fat?

Not at all. Every cell in your body relies on sugar for fuel.

Even if that's the case, it's still extra, unnecessary calories.

And you do realize that in order to be healthy our body requires calories...there is a threshold below which we are harming ourselves. I'd be willing to bet that you're under that threshold based on your responses.

My health has been total **** since I was 10, I'm 21 now. What does it even matter? Regardless, I can still state *theoretic* facts about nutrition. Everybody has different dietary needs. But still.

The only problem I see is that you might have measured using a cup rather than weighing the cereal.

+1. I don't see how cereal, for breakfast of all things, could be cheating.

Because cereal is usually full of sugar, and there are plenty of other ways to have breakfast - most of which include a lot less sugar and a lot less calories.

"a lot less calories?" My goodness I'd hate to see what a normal breakfast quod like by those standards. 3 egg whites perhaps and a slice of low calorie, dry toast?

No. Plain oats and nonfat milk?
Iced coffee?

Don't tell me you are promoting the idea of a calorie-free breakfast (iced coffee) over a small bowl of cereal.

Saying 'get a grip' may not be nice, but is good advice to my mind, I'm afraid - there's no need to worrying about insignificant levels of calories that are being discussed.

I was at least 400 calories of cookie over yesterday. My world didn't end. Maybe I'll lose 1.6oz less this week - actually, I think that's worth it for the cookie-calories .

Okay I just started this whole dieting thing like two weeks ago, it's not attention seeking. I want to be 100% sure that I'm not doing something wrong so I can get the best results I can. What's with everyone being such *kitten*? It was just a question. If you found it stupid or attention seeking than don't press on it, that's all. No need to bring other people down

So calling people a-holes when you do not like their answers is nicer? Got it!

Good luck with your WL journey!

Okay I just started this whole dieting thing like two weeks ago, it's not attention seeking. I want to be 100% sure that I'm not doing something wrong so I can get the best results I can. What's with everyone being such *kitten*? It was just a question. If you found it stupid or attention seeking than don't press on it, that's all. No need to bring other people down

So calling people a-holes when you do not like their answers is nicer? Got it!

Good luck with your WL journey!

What's WL?

Well, in a average day I eat a bowl of oats with nonfat milk, a 70g can of tuna, carrot sticks, and two scrambled eggs. It adds up to about 500 - 600 calories, plus an extra thirty for every iced coffee which is about 1 or two per day. I get on just fine without those calories.

Just now for breakfast I ate one cup of honey bunches of oats with almonds cereal (the serving size is 3/4 cup. 1 cup is 170 calories) and natural almond milk (1 cup, 60 calories)

I'm aware that cereal isn't too good for you even the most "healthy" kind because of the sugar but is this a cheat meal?

Being that I just don't demonize food in general I still can't really figure out what a "cheat meal" is after about a year and a half plus of doing this.

That said, I find it sad that you would even think your tiny little bowl of cereal and some almond milk to be a "cheat meal"....

Go have a pizza and we'll talk...

I don't understand the concept in using the word "cheat" in relationship to what I eat. I stay within my calorie range unless I decide to intentionally go over for a special occasion. I eat nutritionally dense food to satisfy my body and I consume a limited amount of empty food to satisfy my emotions. Food is not bad or good.

The only reason I avoid eating a lot of sugar at the start of the day is that it makes me hungrier. I usually save that for my last snack of the day before bed. Other people can successfully do otherwise.

But the concept of calling how I live my life "cheating" is negative and guilt-producing. No thanks.

I agree with you. If I choose to eat something and I stay withing my calorie range...how can that be cheating? I have pizza at least once a week...I plan to have it...I make it fit...no cheating involved.

Cheating is what got me fat and unhealthy...

Planning what I eat is why I am losing weight.

We all make unwise choices at times...at least I do...I just readjust and move on.

A bowl of cereal is not a cheat meal. Not to offend, but get a grip.

No need to be rude, I was just wondering considering cereal has a lot of sugar and I usually eat organic or extremely clean. You should get a grip and learn to keep your rude comments to yourself or just don't answer at all. I've seen you on other questions and you're rude to everyone so I won't take it to heart

Oh sweetie.........just a bit of advice. It's not wise to call someone out when you asked for advice - this won't end well.

Maybe instead of focusing on the advice you did not like - maybe you should have said "thanks" to those who gave replies you liked. Some of us are here to be supportive even though we do not coddle or "sugar coat" our answers - pardon the pun!

:flowerforyou:

Well I am thankful for all the nice and helpful answers and I would have been thankful for her answer too if she didn't add "get a grip" which isn't really a nice thing to say to someone whose here looking for advice. If she needs to be rude in order to give advice than why be on here giving advice at all? Bye "sweetie"

I love it when people ask stupid, attention seeking questions and then get all arsey when they get the answer the deserve.

Okay I just started this whole dieting thing like two weeks ago, it's not attention seeking. I want to be 100% sure that I'm not doing something wrong so I can get the best results I can. What's with everyone being such *kitten*? It was just a question. If you found it stupid or attention seeking than don't press on it, that's all. No need to bring other people down

I don't think people are being *kitten*. It's just that on a site where the MINIMUM calorie allowance is 1200, how could a 250 calorie meal be a cheat? And you didn't specify that you had any dietary restrictions so it's just kind of a dumb question. Sorry.

Believe it or not, it's about more than calories. Obviously I know it's a good, maybe even low amount of calories. Nutrition is about the quality of the food you eat too. I could be eating cake all day but still fit within my calories and you're saying asking if that's a cheat meal would be stupid too? I was more curious about the nutrition part than calories.

You really don't need to tell me what it's all about. I have lost 40 lbs and am at my goal weight. And it is about calories in/calories out. You actually would lose weight if you ate only cake (as long as it fit in your calorie goal), you would just be hungry because it's not satisfying, and you would be lacking on many nutrients.

Well, in a average day I eat a bowl of oats with nonfat milk, a 70g can of tuna, carrot sticks, and two scrambled eggs. It adds up to about 500 - 600 calories, plus an extra thirty for every iced coffee which is about 1 or two per day. I get on just fine without those calories.

That's unhealthy, no way around that. I'm sure you get on "fine" because you are used to it but it is not OK. Especially because (from looking at your other posts) you want to appear more toned, this is the complete opposite of what you want to do. You are already a low weight and eating like this will only continue to burn lean body mass which will actually increase your BF%, not decrease.

^this... Sounds like you have an abnormal view of your bodies actual needs. Less is not always more. I think you need to speak to a professional about it as you may have or be on the verge of an eating disorder.

I just had Kellogg's Special K Chocolate Almond with homemade yogurt instead of milk for breakfast for 109 calories. It was very small amounts and I'll have an egg or 2 in a couple hours when my dh gets up and wants breakfast and round things out a bit. I try to have whatever sounds good to me as often as possible. If I know it's not a great choice calorie-wise I just keep the amount smaller than normal so it's more of a small treat and then make up for it at my next feeding by making a better choice to balance things out. Some days are just that way. Nobody can be perfect all the time.