Having a break from your diet once in a while may motivate you to stick to it for much longer. Think of it as a palate cleanser or as a reward for a job well done. Read on for tips on having a safe and successful splurge.
Get Help from a Supplement
If you're worried about cheat day-related dietary setbacks, perhaps using a starch blocker can help ease your mind. Starch blockers are supplements that prevent enzymes from breaking down complex carbohydrates, which are commonly found in rice, bread, potatoes, and pasta. This delays the digestion of complex carbs, which limits calorie absorption.
Want to give it a try? Check out a product designed to help you on your weight loss journey. Nutrilite™ Carb Blocker contains natural ingredients such as oyster shell powder and spinach concentrate. If you take 1 to 3 tablets a day with your meals, it can help lessen the absorption of up to 500 calories! Aside from this, it can help you feel full for much longer reducing the tendency to eat too many snacks.
Know Your Carbohydrates
Carbs provide fuel for the body, but some types are better for you. Whole or complex carbohydrates are unprocessed. They're also full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. On the other hand, refined carbs have been stripped of their fiber content and are lacking in essential nutrients. Since these are empty calories, refrain from eating them, or at least limit your intake.
Refined carbs are often found in pastries, sugary drinks, catsup, white rice, and flavored yogurt. Make better health choices by increasing the whole carbohydrates in your diet. These include brown rice, camote, veggies, oatmeal, plain yogurt, and whole-grain bread.
Avoid Deprivation
Want to avoid eating huge heaps of your beloved comfort food every time you're on a break? Try eating a little piece more frequently and focus on the food. Practice eating mindfully - save the chitchat for later and pause the show you're watching on Netflix.
You gotta chew slowly. This will allow you to pay closer attention to the texture, taste, and smell of the snack. When you take the time to enjoy every bite, you may realize that you're happy with having just a few bite-sized chunks of your favorite treat. Valuing quality over quantity may help you have more fulfilling meals.
Identify What You're Craving
What have you been wanting to eat all week? Instead of munching on something on a whim, decide on what your special treat will be to avoid grabbing everything in sight.
It'll also be helpful to indulge in just one type of food, so as not to undo your hard work for the rest of the week. For instance, if you've decided to have two scoops of strawberry ice cream, save that slice of chocolate cake for your next cheat day.
Go for Healthy Alternatives
Now that you know what you want, aim for a healthier version of what you're craving. Want something cheesy? Try hummus quesadilla or Margherita pizza made with whole wheat flour and low-fat mozzarella.
If you've been pining for fluffy pancakes, try using almond or oat flour. Want some choco chips with that? Consider swapping your usual with dark chocolate chips. As for the syrup, look for real maple syrup and stay away from corn syrup that has been dyed brown.
If you miss the taste of fries, why not make some at home? Cut up some potatoes and fry them in a plant-based oil like vegetable or sunflower. That would be a much better choice than the fast-food version. If you want to skip fried food, try oven-roasting camote fries. Just add a drizzle of olive oil, sprinkle some paprika, and you can enjoy roasted fries.
Be Mindful of the Portions
Celebrating your mom's birthday or prepared a big batch of pesto for lunch? Consider having lighter meals before and after the food fest. Or maybe you can let go of the snack for that day. As always, listen to your body. Slowing down when you're nearly full is one way to naturally manage the serving size of your cheat meal.
If you feel like you've eaten too much of your occasional treat, don't beat yourself up. A little slip-up will not ruin a mostly healthy menu. Be kind to yourself and let go of the guilt. Just make healthier food choices for the following meals and you'll be back on track.
A cheat meal gives you the freedom to indulge in your favorites. Even if you're munching on something that you wouldn't usually find on your diet list, it's possible to remain in control of your cravings. You can do this by figuring out what you want, finding healthier substitutes, and trying all the other tips discussed in this article.
