Cheat day when dieting, what are the rules so you don't go too far?

For those of you who have been on a strict diet for weeks or months, of course you really miss your old diet. For example, snacks junk food or snacking at night. Sometimes this longing can make you lose motivation to lose weight. Thus, many people began to apply " cheat day "When dieting, aka diet holidays. This special day is specially designated so that you can eat well, but the weight loss program continues.

Is it true that this special day can be a powerful weight loss solution? Or even the risk of failing the diet? Come on, see the full explanation below.

What is a cheat day (diet holiday)?

Basically, everyone has their own rules regarding the implementation of the holiday diet. But in general, taking a break from a diet means that you determine only one day during which you skip the diet. This trick is also known as cheat day.

On this day, you can eat your favorite foods that you should avoid while on a diet. However, the next day you have to go back to your diet as before.

Should there be a diet holiday?

While it may seem like a diet holiday is cheating, there are actually a number of benefits to this trick. A nutritionist from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in the United States, Marjorie Nolan, RD, argues that setting cheat day when the diet is useful so that you remain disciplined in undergoing a daily healthy diet.

Just imagine if for a whole month you went to school and worked hard, without any days off at all. Of course you are bored and lazy to work, right? As a result, your work is even frustrated. Meanwhile, if you work interspersed with holidays, you will be more enthusiastic and disciplined in completing your work even though it is not easy.

It's the same with diet. According to a nutritionist and author of the book Rachel Beller, RD, on holidays, you can take a break for a moment from the hassle of counting calories for example. The break time functions as a button reset which can make the brain refreshed again when it comes to paying close attention to diet.

Don't let the "holidays" ruin your diet

Although cheat day While dieting offers advantages that are not to be missed, don't let your vacation spoil an already running diet. Here are important rules from the experts if you are going to have a holiday diet.

Only vacation on special days. For example, your best friend's birthday or a reunion with college friends. You have to be good at setting priorities, huh!
Eat your favorite food. Even if you are skipping a diet, that doesn't mean you have to eat all kinds of unhealthy foods. Limit the choices to foods that you really like.
Still have to be balanced. For example, if you want to snack on your favorite ice cream, make sure your main meal menu is still low in fat.
Set special meal times. Even though the title is a holiday, don't let yourself eat all day. Focus on certain times of day when you are free to eat well, for example in the afternoons.
Don't eat alone. While on vacation, ask a friend or partner to remind you not to overeat.
Relax and enjoy your day. The name is also a vacation, you should feel calm. Don't be nervous or excited about the food you are going to eat. Excessive emotions will actually make you go crazy.
Plan a vacation. From a long time ago, first plan what foods can be enjoyed. So when the day comes, you will not change direction and instead eat things.