“How often should I have a cheat day?” There seems to be an assumption that cheat days are a good idea, something that should be built into a low-carb diet to keep people from feeling deprived.
I beg to differ.
Indeed, I’m not sure where the idea of a cheat day even comes from.
Obviously, it’s meant to appeal to people who cannot imagine just giving up carbs, not eating their favorite carby foods again. But people seem to think it’s a good idea, and that I cannot see.
I have written of the occasional indulgence – a term I prefer to cheat. “Cheat” implies that you’ll get away with something, and you never, ever do. Your body will notice. And I admit to a few handfuls of potato chips at a party now and then. I recall a cousin’s wedding where I ate a mini-chocolate cheesecake about an inch-and-a-half in diameter – maybe fifteen years ago.
When I first started, I would have an Indulgence for a holiday meal like Thanksgiving dinner – but I would eat a high protein breakfast that morning, eat one modest serving only of the carbs that really mattered to me – and be done. No leftover potatoes or stuffing or pie that night or over Thanksgiving weekend. Nuh-uh.
But never a whole day! And never a weekly, or bi-weekly, or even monthly thing. That way lies madness, not to mention failure.
Why? I’ll respond with a question of my own: If someone you loved was fighting alcoholism and had finally gotten sober, would you suggest that they have a cheat day once a week – start the day with mimosas, down some beers with lunch, go through a bottle or two of wine at dinner – and then expect them to be right back on the wagon the next day? No?
How about a two-pack-a-day smoker? If they finally managed to quit, would you suggest that they have a smoking day every couple of weeks so they wouldn’t feel deprived?
This is no way to kick an addiction.
Includes Dana’s Backwards Pizza Recipe
Website
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Featured Recipe
Dana Carpender’s Backwards Pizza Recipe in the Show Notes.
Show Notes
https://www.carbsmart.com/podcast-14-what-about-cheat-days-on-your-low-carb-lifestyle.html
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