March 7, 2021: Cheat Meals

My weekly Get Your Stuff Together Sunday email series gives you one actionable focus for the week that will make your life a little easier.

{Did you miss last week’s GYSTS email? No prob! Go here and scroll to the bottom for a complete archive of all GYSTS emails}

Why is it that we use the same word for eating a piece of cake and committing infidelity? What if we stopped using the word cheat to attach morality to our food choices? This week, we’re going to talk about the role of “fun” meals in a healthy nutrition program.

Words matter

I really don’t like the work cheat when it comes to having a meal that is outside of your normal eating plan. Usually, the word cheat = bad, and then we internalize that into “I am a bad person” or “I am being bad.” How does eating a piece of cake or a slice of pizza make me a bad person or identify that I am being bad?

It doesn’t.

This is why labeling foods as cheats can get into our heads and be detrimental in our progress of establishing good habits and mindsets around food.

I used to plan cheat meals into my nutrition program, and then count the days until I could have whatever it was that I considered cheat food. Not a great approach to establish healthy eating behaviors. I found that these cheat meals were anti-climatic and, oftentimes, when the day and/or meal came, I didn’t even want the food, but ate it anyway because that is what I had planned to do.

When you read that it sounds kind of absurd - if you didn’t want the food then why did you eat it? Well, because I made that food “off limits” every other meal/day.

What if you could have any food, any time you wanted, if you chose to?

At one point, that sounded really scary to me, and maybe it sounds scary to you right now. But when you are intentional and mindful with your food choices you will discover that most often you don’t even want these “so-called” cheat foods. When you actually check-in with your body, you will find that it wants something but a cheat food may not be it. Instead it could be asking for rest, connection, or some quiet time. It is very likely that you either already know or are continuing to identify the foods and a way of eating that supports you looking, feeling, and performing your best.

Think of treats as fun!

You are choosing to eat protein, vegetables, healthy fats, etc. and do so 80-90% of the time. You’re totally fine if you have a fun meal or snack every so often! And when you make a choice to have a few slices of pizza, a latte, or a piece of cake you will enjoy it without guilt or shame and move on.

I really do feel that it is important to get away from using the word cheat as it relates to your nutrition choices mainly because of all of the negative emotions and feelings that are associated with it. Let’s go with fun. Everyone needs a little fun sometimes. ;-)

Next Sunday, we’ll talk about the real deal on meal replacement shakes.

Want some expert help with reaching your health goals painlessly? Check out my programs! We’ll get everything taken care of in a way that fits into your current lifestyle so you never have to think about your health again.

Do you have a friend who could stand to G(her)ST? Feel free to forward this!

I hope you have a wonderful week,

Kelly

Kelly Morgan, Ph.D.

Tsirona - www.tsirona.com

My weekly GYSTS email give you one actionable thing to do for the week that will make you life a little easier. As "they" say, "Fail to plan; plan to fail." Get these emails (and more!) delivered right to your inbox by clicking HERE.