I think cheat meals don’t make any sense

first of all, this isn’t about being less restrictive and not categorizing food as good and bad. it’s quite the opposite. I defend complete abstinence from the foods we label as bad.

second of all, I’m not a person who naturally has a healthy relationship with food. I’ve long been a binge-eater and very overweight for certain parts of my life.

as I keep living without unhealthy food, not only the cravings disappear, but I’m also able to extract a lot of pleasure from the foods some people cannot tolerate at all. I eat vegetables either raw or cooked with zero oil and I’m able to really enjoy them. no spices or sauce needed.

so in a way, as I keep going further, not only I’m getting healthier, but I’m getting more joy out of it, and the whole process just keeps getting easier and easier. what’s the opposite of that? to keep eating high-stimulus food from time to time which not only harms my body but also never lets my tastebuds and brain forget about how amazing they taste. to never let my brain recalibrate so that I can enjoy healthy food as much as possible. to be constantly feeling limited and never free, with the desire of eating the tasty foods while in reality having to eat the boring ones.

I see it as paying a bigger price at first so that I pay no price at all later, instead of living my whole life filled with cravings and having to use some of my limited willpower not to give in. in the long run, the first approach is so much easier and pays off much, much better.

I acknowledge some people might be perfectly fine with moderation. but if you’re like me, this may benefit you immensely. you just need to realize it’s not going to happen overnight, and that you have to go step-by-step. it becomes easier and easier.