Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I cheat sometimes, usually at a certain point in my menstrual cycle. However, I've noticed that my taste buds have changed and that my cheat meals can often be disappointing. For example, I decided today that I MUST have chocolate. When I cheat, it's a gorge, because it gets it out of my system and I find that I don't reincorporate those foods in my diet on a daily basis.

I got a pint of chocolate Hagen-Daaz ice cream at $8.77 here, a bar of Maya Gold for $6.93, and some Dove milk chocolate bars because hey, they were three for the price of two. I got home and dug in. I took one bite of the Dove milk chocolate bar and am hoping there's another teacher here who likes them because the piece I took tasted like a mouthful of sugared wax. I had about 1/3 cup of the ice cream before I decided it wasn't going to get any better. It didn't taste as good as I remember it. It was watery and too sweet, more like Breyers than the Hagen-Daaz I remembered. Now, it could be the way they make it in Korea. However, the Maya Gold was imported and that, while sweeter than the chocolate I normally get, was too sweet and waxy too.

In a way, I am intrigued that my tastes have changed, and in a way, a little sad that I spent the money on disappointing food. The good news is that the craving is gone. I had the same experience with a Big Mac a few months back. I couldn't finish it because the bun tasted like cake to me, but the chocolate experience I had today is by far the most disappointing cheat.

Has anyone else found that their cheats don't live up to expectation anymore? What's the most disappointing cheat you've experienced?

flag	asked May 28 2011 at 9:55 MimsySeoul 1,553●3●15

sherpamelissa · Answer 1 · 2011-05-28 14:08:45Z UTC

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Sadly, no, I still really enjoy eating food that I shouldn't. My sweet tooth is less. I crave them less. But when I do eat them, they are still delicious.

answered May 28 2011 at 14:08

sherpamelissa
18.6k●1●21●69

same here. the first bite may taste sweeter than it used to, but that doesn't stop me and I love it all. – Ruth Sep 16 2011 at 15:34

Uggla · Answer 2 · 2011-05-28 11:30:53Z UTC

I am the same way when its that time ;) I am often extremely hungry as well and there is just no fighting it. I had the same problem last time I had ice cream on the less natural food spectum, but I had realized I hardly am ever am unhappy with homemade ice cream or the handmade kind in speciality shops, sheesh even Ben and Jerry's use more quality ingredients so they might be a better bet, maybe try that next time.

You could also cover bacon in 86% dark chocolate, I think that is way better than a dove bar, or you could make a trail mix with dried fruit, dark chocolate, and nuts then add a little sea salt into the mix! It is really good. I think your taste buds can now recognize quality food products vs the rest of the garbage out there and this could be the problem. Maybe try some berries in cream with drizzled dark chocolate over the top?

Next time incorparate higher quality cheats and I am willing to bet it will be much more rewarding! ;)

FED at LiveCaveman.com · Answer 3 · 2011-05-28 13:16:54Z UTC

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I think most of the allure of a "cheat" is mental. The idea that it is something naughty and "bad" that makes it exciting. Like an illicit affair, you end up feeling dirty and disappointed afterwards.

answered May 28 2011 at 13:16

FED at LiveCaveman.com
19.3k●20●61

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True, but I still expect at least the palatal equivalent of a handjob in the front seat of the car for having taken the time out and spending the money. – MimsySeoul May 28 2011 at 13:28

That's an interesting idea, but I haven't experienced it. I've binged in the past, but it was always based on pure pleasure drive. I've never been motivated by naughtiness, and I don't really "get" why anyone would be, though I acknowledge that other people say they are. – Ambimorph May 28 2011 at 13:45

David Rourke · Answer 4 · 2011-05-28 13:41:01Z UTC

Paleo has changed my sweet tooth dramatically. Most desserts are too sweet for me now. I don't like chocolate that's less than 85% cacao any more. I like the high fat low sugar ice cream I make myself much better than anything I can get in a store.

Aughra · Answer 5 · 2011-05-28 15:45:57Z UTC

Oh man, something similar happened to me. I had this insane soft spot for Popeye's spicy fried chicken and I bought a two piece meal with the greasy biscuit and red beans and rice

The only thing in that meal I could eat was he read beans. The fried chicken tasted mealy, salty, and flavorless, the biscuit tasted like margarine and flour (mostly because that's all it is) and the beans were just "meh."

I couldn't believe it. How did this southern girl stop liking greasy fast food fried chicken in just 3 months??? It kinda pissed me off that I had just ruined my gluten free temple for nothing. Haha but it was a good learning experience. I never had allergic issues with gluten so there were no physical repercussions but it was Definetely a waste of money and health.

I haven't cheated since besides some all natural gelato once, which was also too sweet. I'm really considering getting an ice cream maker so I can make a heavy cream vanilla with dark chocolate pieces in it once a month.

rook · Answer 6 · 2011-05-28 18:08:38Z UTC

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There are very few "cheats" I enjoy anymore, and what's worse I am finding that I almost never enjoy a ready-made meal as much as one I make myself! This weirdness is really ruining laziness for me!

answered May 28 2011 at 18:08

rook
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Josh M · Answer 7 · 2011-05-28 18:49:23Z UTC

Yes eating mostly paleo certianly reawakens one's taste buds to what natural, good food should taste like and what crap food tastes like. We may develop conditioning to like the taste of franken-foods and once we go paleo our bodies tune into the world of the real. For me soda of any kind is just blech, chocolate bars taste like chemicals, even good ice cream taste like wax.

Jamie · Answer 8 · 2011-05-28 19:59:40Z UTC

I just wrote a post today about cheats. They just aren't the same anymore. When I cheat I tend to cheat with sugar. I wouldn't even consider cheating with grains knowing how bloated and miserable they make me.

Jamie

www.primalappetite.com

score 0 · Answer 9 · 2011-05-28 20:55:22Z UTC

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I have been eating "natural" food for 30 years. Cheats are still great. Got to pick quality stuff and get over your inhibitions.

edited May 28 2011 at 20:55

answered May 28 2011 at 20:10

Thomas Seay

Disappointing Cheat Meals

9 Answers