I had some ice cream today (I'm on vacation). It was delicious. It wasn't a cheat as I don't have any reason to cheat. It was just something best done only occasionally. My body tolerates a load of sugar every once in a great while just fine--just as my ancestors might gorge on fruit or honey from time to time.

I agree that calling it a "cheat" can be counterproductive.

call it "leptin sensitivity maintenance" day.

I prefer to think of cheats or treats as "indulgences." To me that word connotes something worthwhile, not impulsive, and less 'bad.' For some reason, it's harder to find something worth indulging in than something to cheat with.

I occasionally have 'feasting' days, but it's only a few times per month... I do it for leptin tweaking.

Hormone manipulation experiments, FTW!

I don't cheat. I go off-plan sometimes, and then I get back on-plan. Think of it like changing the bag in your vacuum cleaner, or even better, tripping on the cord. You just go over and plug it back in.

You're referring to concept in psychology called "self-talk," which is intimately involved in areas as diverse as depression, sports performance, placebo and nocebo effects.

Negative self-talk is found in depressed people, who may tell themselves that they're worthless, stupid and ugly, and their life is hopeless. Cognitive therapy seeks to improve depression, in part, by improving the way patients talk to themselves.

Sports acumen may be enhanced by positive self-talk.

Placebo and nocebo effects have been discussed extensively in previous PH threads (here, here and here, for example).

I agree that words can have emotional effects, and negative words can have negative (ie. nocebo) effects. So it may be helpful to call "cheating" something more benign, such as "snacking", "carb-loading", "tasting", etc.

Harm......negative connotation brings up cortisol. We need to think positively all the time.

Why think about it as a cheat at all?

All using the word cheat does is induce stress/anxiety (if you're that way inclined) because you believe you've done something that is considered wrong. Whether that is what you believe to be wrong or whether it is implied peer/community pressure is irrelevant.

It's just a word that could be substituted by lots of other words or phrases according to your view - treat, reward, deviation, error of judgement, oversight, and so on.

Besides, what one person views as a cheat is normal practise to another. As long as the main tenets of avoiding grains, legumes and sugar are maintained to the best of your ability most of the time, who cares whether you have the occasional bit of chocolate, dairy or other 'bad' item as long as it doesn't cause you serious health issues?

I used the term cheat and recently trash canned it. I think it has too many negative connotations and I just didn't like that what made me happy was being categorized as something that would be considered scandalous. For example, I don't crave sugar or grains.. I just don't. But a few days ago I was walking in the Village by a place that makes my favourite Yaki Onigiri, filled with sour plum. Did I pop in and order one? Yes. Why? Because I knew how good it was going to be. How often do I do this? First time in months. Will I do it again if I'm walking by? Yes.

For me: Food is fuel. Food is sustenance. Food keeps us going. Why not take pleasure in it as well?

carb reload day, plan it correctly, and it is useful.

I agree that word-choice is important - in all contexts! I'm always checking myself and re-phrasing things to use more affirming, positive, and less restrictive language. E.g. all "shoulds" become "coulds" - way more empowering.

P.s If our actions are aligned with our values, there is no such thing as "cheating".