Well, how important are cheat meals? I've noticed that after eating clean for a certain period of time, you stop craving sweets and processed foods. Personally, I don't crave fried/fast foods at all. It's been 2 years since I've last ate something like potato chips or Doritos.

Now, I ask this because people say that cheat meals are important. They say that you need to increase your caloric intake like once a week to give your metabolism a boost. Ok, that seems logical but, can't you just eat more clean foods instead of eating processed/sugary foods? For me, a cheat meal will open a can of worms. Oftentimes I can't control myself and eat a lot of ice cream that day. I don't usually crave it but once I have some, I can't control how much of it I eat. So instead of having a standard cheat meal like ice cream, I've decided that I would just eat a little bit more clean foods that day.

Your thoughts?

Well, how important are cheat meals? I've noticed that after eating clean for a certain period of time, you stop craving sweets and processed foods. Personally, I don't crave fried/fast foods at all. It's been 2 years since I've last ate something like potato chips or Doritos.

Now, I ask this because people say that cheat meals are important. They say that you need to increase your caloric intake like once a week to give your metabolism a boost. Ok, that seems logical but, can't you just eat more clean foods instead of eating processed/sugary foods? For me, a cheat meal will open a can of worms. Oftentimes I can't control myself and eat a lot of ice cream that day. I don't usually crave it but once I have some, I can't control how much of it I eat. So instead of having a standard cheat meal like ice cream, I've decided that I would just eat a little bit more clean foods that day.

Your thoughts?

Hey sc7389,

I'm the exact same way. Even though I have THE BIGGEST sweet tooth in the world, I've been eating very clean for a while now and I haven't craved anything sweet/processed for a looong time. If I allow myself a cheat meal however, I will also overindulge and kill my whole day because I have no self-control. So a "cheat meal" for me merely consists of upping my calories for a meal (or even a day) but only through clean eating (i.e. eating MORE clean foods, especially the ones I like - like nuts and seeds). I find that a lot of people use cheat meals as an excuse to eat all the crap that's out there and then complain that they haven't lost an ounce of weight. Well, that's counterproductive. I'm with you on eating CLEAN instead of CHEATING and eating crap just so that I can tell myself I had a "cheat meal." :tu:

For me, cheat meals are used to curb cravings. It's only one meal and yes, you can overdo it I'm sure. But having a cheat meal can be used productively. :eat:
anain, it's only one meal...

Hey sc7389,

I'm the exact same way. Even though I have THE BIGGEST sweet tooth in the world, I've been eating very clean for a while now and I haven't craved anything sweet/processed for a looong time. If I allow myself a cheat meal however, I will also overindulge and kill my whole day because I have no self-control. So a "cheat meal" for me merely consists of upping my calories for a meal (or even a day) but only through clean eating (i.e. eating MORE clean foods, especially the ones I like - like nuts and seeds). I find that a lot of people use cheat meals as an excuse to eat all the crap that's out there and then complain that they haven't lost an ounce of weight. Well, that's counterproductive. I'm with you on eating CLEAN instead of CHEATING and eating crap just so that I can tell myself I had a "cheat meal." :tu:

Well said. I think I will increase calories from clean foods one day a week. I probably don't crave anything sweet/processed because I'm happy with what I eat now. For me, it's not a chore to eat clean. :tucool:

For me, cheat meals are used to curb cravings. It's only one meal and yes, you can overdo it I'm sure. But having a cheat meal can be used productively. :eat:
anain, it's only one meal...

I think that "just one meal" can set you back, especially if you don't control yourself and eat until you can't stand looking at that particular food item anymore.

Well said. I think I will increase calories from clean foods one day a week. I probably don't crave anything sweet/processed because I'm happy with what I eat now. For me, it's not a chore to eat clean. :tucool:



I think that "just one meal" can set you back, especially if you don't control yourself and eat until you can't stand looking at that particular food item anymore.


That's not what I'm talking about. I'm not talking about gorging on the food. I'm talking about eating 1 meal.

It always amazes me how people ask questions but they already know more than the people they're asking. :bang:

Cheats can be effective in keeping your thyroid function normal if you are otherwise quite strict on your diet.

Cheats can be effective in keeping your thyroid function normal if you are otherwise quite strict on your diet.
:claplow: exactly my man...exactly.

Ideally, a cheat meal will still be quality food. I do cheat days full of crap because I simply like it and it keeps me easily motivated to otherwise continue on a diet. I've had good success with this approach.

I haven't seen much actual concrete evidence (granted, I've not looked for it) that says cheat meals AID weight loss. I think they probably overall limit it, but they are an invaluable tool to a lot of people. I can diet cleanly for 5-6 days in a row, but doing it for months on end is just not fun. Knowing that a slack day is coming up helps me stay on the path.

Ideally, a cheat meal will still be quality food. I do cheat days full of crap because I simply like it and it keeps me easily motivated to otherwise continue on a diet. I've had good success with this approach.


I hear you... I'm craving a carb-heavy cheat meal like never before... It's been 8 clean days in a row... and dagnabbit... tomorrow after my morning cardio I'm going to IHOP! :o :D

Ideally, a cheat meal will still be quality food. I do cheat days full of crap because I simply like it and it keeps me easily motivated to otherwise continue on a diet. I've had good success with this approach.

I haven't seen much actual concrete evidence (granted, I've not looked for it) that says cheat meals AID weight loss. I think they probably overall limit it, but they are an invaluable tool to a lot of people. I can diet cleanly for 5-6 days in a row, but doing it for months on end is just not fun. Knowing that a slack day is coming up helps me stay on the path.

Agreed...cheat meals are totally magical psychologically, but I think digging up some kind of physiological/nutritional justification for them is a bit far-fetched. Having said that, I've seen referred to numerous times the idea that one will temporarily look leaner/better after a moderate cheat/carb-up day. Experience has shown some truth behind it. Anyone know what is up with that?