I think one of the biggest issues facing those who live the clean eating lifestyle (or even those who are just toying with the idea of eating clean) is the idea or act of giving up the foods we “love.” There are actually those who do eat clean but also incorporate some of the foods they love and can’t or won’t give up. In my post about What is Clean Eating, I did touch on the idea of cheat meals and I thought it would be a good idea to go more in-depth about “cheating.”
I personally do not feel there is anything wrong with having a cheat meal once a week or a cheat day on the weekend. Life isn’t about deprivation or not allowing ourselves to have a little fun or enjoyment. If there are foods that you enjoy cooking or baking (and of course eating) that aren’t exactly clean, then I say go for it. I know that JenniferE eats 100% clean during the week and will have a cheat meal on the weekend. She has said it makes it easier to stick to eating clean during the week. I also have cheat meals every once in a while when my family goes out to eat at a restaurant, and then there are days that I get “off track” and maybe don’t have any quick clean snacks on hand and so I’ll eat something that isn’t exactly clean. Whether planned or spontaneous, there’s nothing wrong with a “cheat” now and then.
Having said all that, I do want to say that while it’s not an issue to have a cheat meal when you’re able to handle it and when that one meal or food won’t make you fall completely “off the wagon,” it is an issue if that food is going to completely ruin your new lifestyle. For example, I am a recovering soda addict. I was totally addicted to soda, and I used to drink four to five 20-oz. Mt. Dews a day! I “quit” many times, but just when I had it licked, I would take a sip of a Pepsi while out at a restaurant. I would then go on week long binges (sometimes several weeks long) of soda, one or two a day. I felt crappy and my body felt crappy from drinking it, including fatigue, mental fog, irritability, etc., but yet I would continue to drink it until I finally gave it up for the last time (it’s just too much bother and so unhealthy). Soda is just something I have to stay completely away from. I cannot handle it and my body cannot handle “just one” or “just a sip.” It’s not possible.
So for those of you who have the same problem (and I know you’re out there), whether it be with cake, soda, candy, chips, whatever, then I would suggest not doing it. Find a healthy and clean snack or food that you love and can replace those types of foods with. Your body will thank you for it!
You are right on! Sometimes people can eat something and then go on with life, but for some people, food (sugar, high-fat) is like a drug and they can’t go back to eating it without having a relapse.
When converting my husband (for health reasons) to clean eating last fall, he said “but I like fried foods, pizza, and pastries.” I told him it was okay to like them, and that he could have them again, but just not every day! He would set a goal of one day a month to have his “cheat” meal, and what usually happened is the day would come and he didn’t go as hog-wild as he originally planned. 6 months later, he rarely misses his old way of eating and really likes how he feels now, and doesn’t want to go back to being lethargic with chronic heartburn (and sky-high cholesterol), and 40 pounds heavier.
Hi Carol!
So true! I have noticed that there are lots of “bad for us” foods that I used to eat that when I try them now when we go out, I’m like, “Why did I ever enjoy this?” Or I have found new ways to cook/bake my favorites so they’re not as bad, like cooking from scratch or using substitutes for the “nasty” ingredients…lol.
And yes, soda is like a drug to me. I used to hate the way it made me feel and the physical symptoms I would get after downing a soda, but I just kept on drinking it until I had finally just grew tired of quitting, binging, quitting, binging, ad naseum.
My husband and I have been clean eating since December of 07. We love the way we feel now, lighter and much more energetic, and feel more confident about our bodies. That being said, we would NOT have made it as far as we did without our weekly cheat meal! It helps us stay more disciplined throughout the week knowing we have a treat coming up. When we first started, our cheats were more elaborate and junky, but now we definitely go less hog wild when it comes to cheating…because often times our bodies just can’t handle it anymore! lol
My definitely stay away food is potato chips. I will NEVER buy a bag because I will eat the whole thing!
By the way, my husband lost 70 pounds, going from 260 to 190 (he’s 5’10″). I lost 28 pounds, going from 165 to 137 (I’m 5’2″).
I like the idea that cheating is ok. I just started getting into clean eating during the past couple of weeks. I love the concept, and I feel I can live this way 90% of the time. I do want to be able to occasionally have something that isn’t clean. It is funny that eating this way is really not hard. I am enjoying it. Filling up on healthy food really helps prevent unhealthy cravings.