Because you are Cheating while eating low carb and keto
Cheat or not? That is the eternal question.
1. Bad and less bad reasons for cheating
Bad reasons
Out of courtesy or wanting to fit in
Aunt Martha will understand that you skip her gooey dessert; Your companion's surprise when you swap potatoes for more veggies is usually short-lived. Don't overestimate the interest or investment of others in your personal food choices.
Remember, people are usually absorbed in their own experience and quickly drift away from yours.
However, some people are overly curious about your eating habits. When that happens, prepare yourself with a phrase like "Sorry, I have a sensitive stomach."
Impulsiveness
Impulsively reaching for that bowl of candy is cheating in an unrewarding way. A sudden decision to eat some of those cold fries from your child's plate will rarely be rewarding.
Cheating in a planned way can be empowering; cheating casually weakens. Be true to yourself and stick with your cheat plan.
Bad planning
Grabbing a mediocre sandwich made two days ago at a gas station is wasting a trap. Anything worth cheating for is, by definition, delicious. For a hard sandwich, it's not worth it.
Keep quality, low-carb emergency food in your car, purse, or briefcase so you never cheat out of hunger.
Less bad reasons
To keep eating low-carb long-term
A low carb lifestyle is forever - if you revert to your old habits, illness or unwanted pounds will return to your life.
Although it sounds counterintuitive, occasional and intentional cheating can help some people stick with their low-carb lifestyle forever. That's how:
Knowing that you can cheat from time to time reduces feelings of deprivation.
Planned exceptions can help you not feel deprived of your favorite indulgence.
Intentional cheating gives your diet a bit more variety and gives you more flexibility.
Most of us don't need to get it perfect. Cheat consciously and then immediately return to the healthy, low-carb lifestyle you love.
To seize unusual opportunities
Your favorite dessert (pumpkin pie) that is only made once a year by a dear family friend… Maybe that's the time to make an exception to the no dessert rule.
Or that carefully seasoned pyramid of couscous served with stewed meat on an unrepeatable trip to Morocco ... Again, that might be a worthy exception (if you like couscous).
Leaving yourself some space to enjoy unique moments or flavors is probably a good use of your "reserve of traps."
But keep in mind that the birthday Cake in the break room is not a special or unusual occasion.
2. Cheat smartly
While we don't encourage cheating, if you do, we want it to be in the smartest way possible. Cheat smartly with these tips:
Cheat consciously
Be responsible and consciously cheat. You are deceiving yourself, so do it in the best possible way. Do you do better with a strict daily regimen with an occasional day off? Or will you feel less deprived with a little daily indulgence that goes out of the way? Can you keep the weight off while cheating twice a week? Know yourself.
Writing down your intentions can help you. Try this:
Keep track of cheating - note when you cheat and what happened. A log will help you assess how often you cheat and understand the side effects.
Create clear rules about the frequency and type of cheating you will and will not allow yourself. Write them down and put them in the kitchen.
Cheat with foods that are not high in carbohydrates
This is obvious, but many people overlook it. Cheat with the least bad option possible. If you have to eat a regular pizza, a thin crust is better than a thick one.
If you've decided to treat yourself to dessert, is there a cup of chocolate mousse or piece of cheesecake that's lower in carbs than that slice of layered frosting cake? All three are sweet, but mousse and cheesecake contain more fat and fewer carbs than a frosted layer cake.
Just because you're cheating doesn't mean you have to abandon all kinds of precautions. Minimize damage.
Cheat with small portions
When eating carbohydrates, the fewer carbohydrates you eat, the better. If you decide that something is forbidden is worth eating, how about a single bite?
For example, if you want a sweet ending to your meal, a bite of someone else's dessert is a better option than ordering one for yourself. And ordering a dessert to share with your partner is better than ordering one for each.
Don't be afraid to leave sugary or starchy cheat meals on your plate after just a bite or two. Go ahead, leave the rest without regrets. Finishing a carbohydrate cheat meal when you don't really want it isn't smart.
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