Indulging in cheat meals

With the festive season in full swing, there is plenty to gorge on. For those who follow a strict diet regimen, indulging in a cheat meal is delicious guilty pleasure. That first bite of a decadent dessert, a greasy chicken egg roll or a pizza dripping with cheese provides an instant rush of satisfaction. Cheat meals do deliver epicurean bliss.

Since food is tied to our emotions, cheat meals also have a comforting effect and are a quick mood-uplifter. They taste the best when shared with friends or loved ones who know that you are, well, cheating. Their constant stream of comments on this rule-breaking moment only makes the cheat dish tastier than it is, and the resolve to indulge in it is even stronger.

Other than the joy of breaking the diet rule, such occasional indulgences can serve as a reward for hard work and discipline. Knowing that a delicious treat is within reach can motivate you to adhere to the chosen regimen.

Life is about balance, and cheat meals can help strike that balance. They remind us that it’s not only about being disciplined in life but also about enjoying life’s small pleasures. It’s humility, bite-sized.