For most people, dieting is tough. Many people find themselves unable to resist the temptation to cheat. Often, this is due to attempting to follow a diet that requires strict adherence to specific menus and foods. Diets that forbid the dieter to eat certain foods are particularly difficult to maintain. Total denial of any foods or snacks that have been a regular part of your daily food intake for years will lead to cheating or binge eating. When you eliminate all sweets, salty snacks, junk food, and fast food, it is very likely that you will begin to have strong cravings for these foods. This makes it almost impossible not to cheat. Cheating on your diet does not have to mean complete failure.
Plan Ahead and Never Feel Guilty Again
Fad diets, no carb diets, no sugar diets, and other diets that eliminate certain foods are hard to follow and almost always lead to cheating on your diet. Counting calories, carbs, fat grams, and fiber is the most effective way to diet. On this type of diet, cheating is allowed--just not too much cheating. With this diet plan, you can plan ahead and never feel guilty again. Planning to cheat will allow you to stick to the diet plan without binge eating. If you have done well all week, splurging a little on the weekend can be a good idea. Treating yourself to a small reward will help satisfy cravings for your favorite "bad" foods without feeling guilty. Just, don't go overboard. Using a diet cheat sheet with diet cheat foods can be helpful for staying within the limits. Create a diet cheat sheet listing favorite sweets, junk food, etc., and include the calories, carbs, fat, and fiber for appropriate portions. This diet cheat sheet will serve as a handy guide for cravings you can afford to satisfy. Today, many diet cheat foods are packaged in convenient 100 calorie servings. Giving in occasionally to controlled cravings will not "ruin" your progress. Simply include the diet cheat foods in your daily food intake total. Satisfying controlled cravings will actually help you stay on track with your diet.
The following are some common tastes people crave while dieting:
Sweets: chocolate, cookies, cakes, candy, doughnuts, etc.
Salty: chips, fries, processed meats, olives, etc.
Fats: burgers, bacon, sausage, ice cream, junk foods, etc.
Unfortunately, these frequently desired diet no-no's are very high in calories, fat, and carbs. What's more, they provide little or no fiber. However, even these guilty pleasures can be enjoyed once in awhile. You will have to limit these foods. Don't use half your total daily caloric intake on these foods every day. Keep in mind, the overall nutritional value of the foods you consume while dieting is extremely important for maintaining good health. Most of the above listed foods have very little nutritional value. That being said, a special treat once or twice a week can help you feel satisfied and ready to get back to work on the diet.
Dieting does not have to synonymous with torture. Cheating is permissible with some planning. You do not have to be laden with guilt after eating a cookie. Be sure to incorporate an exercise plan along with your diet plan. Exercise will facilitate your weight loss and provide tremendous health benefits.
