Thoughts - Cheat Meal / Day - Yay or Nay?

NewMrsCarlson
NewMrsCarlson Posts: 24 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey y'all,

I'm sure we've all heard it that a cheat meal, or cheat day from your new way of life, is "Okay" because you "can't limit yourself" or "that's not realistic". I want to know what YOU think. Is this something that is part of all lifestyle changes, that some of your old still sneaks in. Now i'm not talking eating a large pizza and a bowl of pasta and calling it your "little cheat meal", but I mean those foods you wouldn't normally eat during the week like 2 slices of pizza, or maybe some pancakes with that syrup. Yay, or nay?

Also, i've heard it's cheat meal, or cheat day. Which is it?

Finally, do you log that food for your "cheat meal/day" or just leave it for that time.

Annnnd....GO!
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Replies

  • riceiscarb
    riceiscarb Posts: 16 Member
    I do cheat meal once a week (saturdays). you can call it whatever you want, to make you feel better, but it is what it is in my opinion. I need it to keep me sane, and since i'm in this for the long haul, sanity is a good thing.
    and YES i do log my cheat meal, i suggest you do too, so you can calculate your metrics + as a reminder.

    thats my 2 c :smile:
  • neldabg
    neldabg Posts: 1,452 Member
    Nay and unnecessary. Personally, I think it's an unhealthy way to view food. I see what you're saying, but a better view is IIFYM.
    If you really want something, bank your calories. MFP is awesome in that you can very easily calculate the math in order to figure out how to fit in high calorie foods whenever you need to.
    I would never not log something. On Valentine's Day this year, I ate a lot over my TDEE, and I logged everything as usual. You can pretend and lie to yourself and your diary, but your body won't be fooled. In other words, just because you didn't log it doesn't mean it didn't happen.
    Also, it's nice to see for yourself what people mean when they say that one bad day, or even a bad week, won't ruin everything. Indeed, as long as you stay on track in the long run, you'll achieve success.
  • Bearbo27
    Bearbo27 Posts: 339 Member
    I don't do them because I fit what I want in my calories. Tonight I wanted a breakfast burrito. I pre logged the ingredients so I could make sure it would fit, I weighed out everything as well. Instead of having 2-3 burritos like I would have done in the past, I just had 1. It satisfies what I was wanting and I am not over for my calories for the day.

    I also buy those mini magnum ice cream bars. They are smaller and less calories for when I want something sweet. If I am wanting a treat after dinner (maybe 1-2 times per week) I will make sure I leave enough calories for it.

    It took some time to get used to eating the smaller portions and not over doing it, but I still lose weight and get what I want.
  • phrunch
    phrunch Posts: 115 Member
    The little cheat meals you're talking about you could absolutely fit into your calories by eating leaner the rest of the day. Hell, worst case just pump up to maintenance level calories for the day and go on with your life.

  • jo_nz
    jo_nz Posts: 548 Member
    I don't do "cheats" but I have been known to ignore my typical calorie goal for a special event. For a recent birthday celebration I had small-ish portions of what was on offer including pizza, cake and ice cream! I logged it all. And actually because there was no snacking in between and I had a small breakfast, it wasn't so bad - slightly over my weight-loss calories but under maintenance for me.

    I do think including my favorites into my general diet is key to keeping myself on track.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,641 Member
    No cheat meals or days while I'm "on" my diet ... they defeat the purpose!
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,641 Member
    NewMrsCarlson wrote: »
    Now i'm not talking eating a large pizza and a bowl of pasta and calling it your "little cheat meal", but I mean those foods you wouldn't normally eat during the week like 2 slices of pizza, or maybe some pancakes with that syrup. Yay, or nay?

    Well, actually, I incorporate whole pizzas and things into my diet. That's the beauty of exercising! I have more calories to work with. :grin:

    So yes, even when I'm "on" my diet, I eat a whole pizza about once a month ... and I am still well within my calorie limit. :):)

  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,172 Member
    I eat Pizza pretty regularly too. I don't eat pancakes a lot, but when I do they will have butter and syrup.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    I've eaten pancakes and two slices of pizza both within the last week. I don't call either meal a cheat. They are just meals that fit within my weekly calories.
  • Luckychic_93
    Luckychic_93 Posts: 15 Member
    I have one "cheat day" once a week for two weeks and then two "cheat days" for two weeks and repeat. But on these "cheat days" I don't just go all out. I eat 1,000 calories every day but on the "cheat day" I eat 1,200 calories it's not really cheating per say it's just taking my body out of the calorie deficit for one day. Been doing this for six weeks and I've lost 12 lbs
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    Luckychic_93 wrote: »
    I have one "cheat day" once a week for two weeks and then two "cheat days" for two weeks and repeat. But on these "cheat days" I don't just go all out. I eat 1,000 calories every day but on the "cheat day" I eat 1,200 calories it's not really cheating per say it's just taking my body out of the calorie deficit for one day. Been doing this for six weeks and I've lost 12 lbs

    1200 is almost definitely still a calorie deficit for you. Why are you eating so little?
  • mayoosh_primrose
    mayoosh_primrose Posts: 131 Member
    Nay, if I decide to abandon a certain type of food, it's for good.
    Easier for me this way :smile:
  • leanjogreen18
    leanjogreen18 Posts: 2,492 Member
    I cycle my calories so I have one day a week where I eat at maintenance maybe what you would call a "controlled cheat day". I also don't deny myself anything. If I want it I make sure it can fit into my calorie count for the day.
  • savithny
    savithny Posts: 1,200 Member
    Always log.
    (though I didn't log while I was on vacation last week; two weddings and a lot of picnic food. I tried to make good choices but knew the weddings were once in a lifetime events. I managed to maintain!)

    I will happily eat at maintenance or a bit above for special occasions.

    Also: what pizza are you eating that you can't make two slices work? I will regularly do that on a "non cheat" day. Same with pancakes. Count them and log them and take them into consideration when planning the rest of the day. I can have pancakes with maple syrup for breakfast and still come in under maintenance. If you're thinking that eating stuff like that is a "cheat" and it means you might as well toss out the logging for the rest of the day? You're not thinking in the longer term and how to move this into the future.
  • idabest777
    idabest777 Posts: 97 Member
    I don't really consider them cheat days, but on the weekends I normally end up consuming at maintenance or slightly over with alcohol and the hungover junk food cravings. There was one month where I decided not to drink for its entirety and so didn't really have those splurging weekends. I think I lost 1 or 1.5 extra pounds that month but I'd much rather party it up on the weekends.
  • Angierae75
    Angierae75 Posts: 417 Member
    I don't schedule cheat days/meals, but on holidays or special occasions, I'm going to have that cake or meal out. I try to log it as best I can, but I'm not going to miss out on special times with family/friends. Skinny people go out to eat sometimes, too. So I lose a little less that week. Oh well. This is a lifetime commitment.
  • Vickie96
    Vickie96 Posts: 17 Member
    I actually struggle with the concept of "cheating" as it's the high calorie foods that are considered to be a "cheat". Before if I "cheated" then I would just eat everything else that I wanted as it was sort of an all or nothing mindset, but now if I want something then I work it into my calories although I don't have a specific day or whatever I just have it as I want it. However if I do have a splurge and way over calories then just move on and get straight back to normal.
  • LiftandSkate
    LiftandSkate Posts: 148 Member
    Nay. If I really want something, I fit it in through shaving calories elsewhere and/or earning extra calories through exercise. I don't need a "cheat day" from taking care of my body to the best of my ability.
  • Luckychic_93
    Luckychic_93 Posts: 15 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    1200 is almost definitely still a calorie deficit for you. Why are you eating so little?

    Ummmm because I'm only 4'11" and 135 lbs. Don't assume what you don't know. Everyone has different calorie intake and weight loss goals.
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    I give myself a day with unlimited carriers every once and awhile (my birthday, thanksgiving etc) but I bank about 200 calories every day a week before those events.
  • AspenDan
    AspenDan Posts: 703 Member
    Cheat days and cheat meals kept me sane when I first started, but I still always logged them..maybe 2 or 3 days a week I'd go over my calories a little..
    110lb lost so far? I have cheat months haha. During those times I don't log my food, and I just kinda watch what I eat but I also know weight loss is probably not going to happen during those times...no big. I have my whole life left to lose these next 30lb.
  • abitofbliss
    abitofbliss Posts: 198 Member
    YAY!

    I definitely have at least one "cheat meal" per week...Usually pizza. I prefer a cheat meal rather then a full day because I imagine I can do some damage on a full cheat day. And I've had them, honestly.. Not proud but it happens.

    Yes, log everything! Sometimes before I want to indulge I'll enter it into my diary.. Once I see the calories/nutrients I often decide against it.

    I agree with most replies that when you're changing your lifestyle it's not really a cheat, it's just enjoying something you like. But whatever... I'm confident I will be able to maintain when I reach my goals and in 20 years from now when I'm still in the shape that I want I'll still be calling it a cheat meal.
  • st476
    st476 Posts: 357 Member
    I consider anything that takes me over my weekly calories a "cheat", not the type of food I'm eating. I had Chipotle yesterday, and I'm having Wendy's and Taco Bell tomorrow. It fits my calories, so it's not a cheat. I wouldn't purposely have a cheat meal or cheat day, that would only ruin all my hard work that week. :smile:
  • singletrackmtbr
    singletrackmtbr Posts: 644 Member
    I don't schedule anything, but my diet is spot on about 98% of the time. If there is a time I want something, I eat it, LOG IT (I can't stress the importance of this enough), and move on. This has served me well, as I dropped 17# since March without ever feeling like I was giving anything up.

    If you don't indulge sometimes, it's less likely you can sustain this lifestyle long-term.
  • jimshine
    jimshine Posts: 199 Member
    If you stay within goals, it is not cheating. A safe way to cheat is have a cheat day where you eat what your current maintenance calorie level would be. Don't do it more two times a month and you will pretty much stay on track.
  • pbandalyssa
    pbandalyssa Posts: 86 Member
    Luckychic_93 wrote: »
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    1200 is almost definitely still a calorie deficit for you. Why are you eating so little?

    Ummmm because I'm only 4'11" and 135 lbs. Don't assume what you don't know. Everyone has different calorie intake and weight loss goals.

    I'm 5'0" and I'm reverse dieting and continually losing weight at 1400 calories. I will probably lose weight once I hit 1500/1600 as well. 1000 calories isn't enough for your body to function at 100%.
  • pbandalyssa
    pbandalyssa Posts: 86 Member
    NewMrsCarlson wrote: »
    Hey y'all,

    I'm sure we've all heard it that a cheat meal, or cheat day from your new way of life, is "Okay" because you "can't limit yourself" or "that's not realistic". I want to know what YOU think. Is this something that is part of all lifestyle changes, that some of your old still sneaks in. Now i'm not talking eating a large pizza and a bowl of pasta and calling it your "little cheat meal", but I mean those foods you wouldn't normally eat during the week like 2 slices of pizza, or maybe some pancakes with that syrup. Yay, or nay?

    Also, i've heard it's cheat meal, or cheat day. Which is it?

    Finally, do you log that food for your "cheat meal/day" or just leave it for that time.

    Annnnd....GO!

    I spent the first 3 years of my lifestyle change with weekly cheat meals...which eventually turned into cheat days, cheat weekends, and all out binges. It wasn't healthy for me. Recently started IIFYM and my body has absolutely finally found balance. This is what I needed all along! No food is "good" or "bad" it's just energy and helping fuel the tank!

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