How To Cheat At Nutrition And Get Away With It
Can you cheat on your diet and still lose weight or maintain a healthy weight? Nutrition professionals say “yes,” and we frequently cheat ourselves. Here’s what I and 10 other top nutrition pros indulge on, and how they fit these less-than-healthy treats in their diet.
An all-or-nothing diet mentality is one of the big less-than-healthy practices I’ve seen among overweight clients. They swear off those goods and have several regulations on what they can and can’t eat. They don’t make space for mistakes — when they fall, they give up!
We all, in truth, enjoy those foods that aren’t especially good. I love it,
Swedish Fish (yes, I just admitted it!), and given almost every opportunity to eat it, I would. However, without derailing my diet, I’ve found ways to blend into my sugar fish fix: I buy a small amount on the weekends and eat them only on the weekends.
Here’s what 10 other top wellness experts indulge in and how they fit these less-than-healthy, guilt-free treatments into their diet!
“Why it fits:” I work out every day and walk around, but there are just 120 calories per pouch in the Dreamy Cluster and I make my chocolate pudding with skim milk, so I don’t really need to do anything special to enjoy it.
What: “High-quality dark chocolate is my favorite cheat meal. I’ll go for anything chocolate when it comes to dessert.”
How often: “I’ll have a few dark chocolate bits (about half an ounce) a couple of times a week and share a chocolate cake about once a month when I eat out.”
What: “High-quality dark chocolate is my favorite cheat meal. I’ll go for anything chocolate when it comes to dessert.”
How Often: “Once or twice in a month.”
“Why it fits:” I’m aiming for a small size and I’m not putting a topping on it. I do moderation practice and I resist the deprivation theory.
What: “Italian, French or some kind of artisan raisin nut bread, very nice bread.”
“How often:” I used to think I didn’t have to limit bread, but I noticed I gain weight if I eat it too often. Every few weeks, I indulge and I don’t really compensate. Most of the time , I feel like I’m watching myself, but if I want to indulge, I won’t really “pay” for it.
How It Fits: “I try to walk as much as I can and workout regularly throughout the day and I try not to overeat.”
What: “While I don’t really have an absolute favorite treat, I like my sweets! So, I would consider a favourite treat to be a gooey brownie or a cookie dough ice cream. But, I also enjoy something salty and crunchy sometimes, such as flavored tortilla chips.”
How frequently? “I strive to live by the 90:10 ratio — that is, I can” treat “myself with about 10 percent if about 90 percent of the foods I consume in a day is relatively healthy. I strive to save 10 percent for something that I really enjoy.”
What: “French fries, but I’m picky — they have to be fresh, whole, hand-cut (preferably skin-on) potatoes, fried in peanut or olive oil, to be worth it.”
How often: “Once a month maybe.”
“Why it fits:” I don’t consume other starches or fat at the same meal because French fries are essentially starch and fat. Instead, to build some balance, I’ll combine them with non-starchy veggies and lean protein. This kind of combo leaves me feeling full, but still not bloated or sluggish.
“What:” Fries and burger.
How often: “Every couple of months I’ll get this.”
How it fits: “I’m not having a full order. I’m going to have half the burger and half the fries instead. I enjoy them guilt-free and make sure for a day or two to cut back on fatty and salty foods. I’m going to have Shredded Wheat for breakfast, for example, and have more fruits and vegetables during the day.”