7 Reasons Why 'Cheat Days' Might Be More Harmful Than Healthy

By Shireen Jamooji

When you're on a diet, it's tempting to have the occasional indulgence. But sometimes the idea of a cheat day could be doing more harm than good. Here are some reasons why a sustainable and healthy diet is better than a rigourous one with cheat days. 

Undermines Consistency

Consistency is the key to achieving fitness goals. Cheat days can make it challenging to maintain consistency in your diet and exercise routine.

Triggers Cravings

Eating unhealthy foods on cheat days can increase cravings for these foods, making it harder to stick to a healthy diet.

Promotes Binging

Cheat days can encourage binge eating behavior, which can lead to guilt and shame. This can have a negative impact on your mental health and well-being.

Disrupts Metabolism

Cheat days can disrupt your metabolism by causing spikes in blood sugar levels, which can lead to insulin resistance.

Changes Nutrition

They can also disrupt the nutritional balance of your diet, leading to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals.

Leads To Inflammation

Eating unhealthy foods on cheat days can increase inflammation in the body, which can lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Affects Mental Health

If you go overboard on a cheat day it can lead to feelings of guilt and shame, which can negatively impact your motivation and self-esteem.