The "Cheat Meal" and how to use it!

The “Cheat Meal” plan!
Many people plan "cheat meals" one day a week or on the weekend. That's great, but don't get carried away.

Many times people use the "all or none" philosophy, meaning that if they are
going to go out and have a cheat meal and get something like a burger, they decide they might as well get extra cheese, fries, desert, mayo, soda,... when they could still enjoy that burger or pizza but strike a healthier balance without going totally crazy about the cheat meal.

Now don’t get me wrong, the purpose of the cheat meal is to cheat. It’s for your mental health so you can keep your sanity while dieting. I believe any diet that tells you that you can’t have something is “destine for failure.” Over time the thing they tell you “Don’t Eat” is the thing you will crave most, and will eventually be your downfall. I know many years ago when I tried the Atkins Diet I was dying for milk. I love milk and the fact that Atkins said no milk made me crazy. It just was not a plan that I could follow the rest of my life. Even though you are cheating there are some things you can do to keep this meal in the “Not So Bad” category. Instead of having your burger with cheese or mayo maybe just have a burger, have a salad or soup instead of fries, diet soda or unsweetened Ice tea or water. Have the waiter bring your salad first try and fill up on a few healthy things first. Maybe then you only eat half of the burger by the time you get it. Start your meal getting full on something healthy and the first half of the burger may be more than enough and stop eating when you are no longer hungry. Not when you are so full you can’t move. This was a big help for me. I try to pay attention to, “No Longer Being Hungry.” Too many of us where trained to clean our plates as kids…So it’s already in our head we should eat everything they give us. The facts are that our serving size in the US in just way to large and we get to many extra calories that way. If you have not seen the movie “Super Size Me” get it. It does a great job of exposing this point.

Here is the most important part whenever you have had your "cheated meal" Don't worry or feel bad about it. Enjoy it! It’s your reward for the hard work and the clean eating you did all the other days that week. Then go right back to eating clean and when you are wanting to cheat just tell yourself I only have to make it to my cheat meal however many days away that will be. This is so much easier than the mind set of “I can’t ever have this again.” Keep in mind food was meant to be enjoyed. It’s one of the many joys of life and we should enjoy it. Just be smart and healthy about it and you will have success in your diet goals.

With the right mindset and a little added effort and preparation, you can turn “Cheat Meals” into a pleasurable experience, and still take steps towards achieving your diet goals.

By Paul Seymour