Cheat Days: The Great Debate

These breaks may have some benefits — but they promote an unhealthy attitude toward food

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Whether you’ve decided to reduce your sugar intake, you’re trying to reduce the number on the scale or you’re adjusting your diet to deal with a chronic health condition, changing your eating habits isn’t easy. And anyone who’s attempted to adjust their approach to eating can tell you that some days are easier than others. Some days, you just want to “break the rules” and eat whatever you want.

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“Cheat days,” as they’re commonly called, are a subject of considerable debate among dietitians, especially when it comes to eating to support weight loss. Some people say they can have a positive impact on your metabolism. Others say that needing a cheat day is probably a sign that your current eating plan — and possibly your relationship with food — needs rethinking.