The Dr. Jules Plant-Based Podcast

Cheat Days: Good or Bad?


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What if everything you thought about "cheat days" is actually sabotaging your health goals? That's the question at the heart of this eye-opening exploration into our complex relationship with food. Drawing from real patient experiences and scientific evidence, Dr. Jules reveals the psychological trap many fall into: eating "clean" during the week only to binge on weekends, ultimately erasing any progress made.

The problem isn't just caloric, it's psychological. Labeling foods as "cheats" creates a moral framework around eating that breeds guilt and shame. One patient couldn't understand why they weren't losing weight despite eating "just salads" most days, while weekend indulgences with wine and restaurant meals completely eliminated their weekday calorie deficit. This all-or-nothing approach represents diet culture at its most harmful, creating an unsustainable cycle that damages both physical health and mental wellbeing.

Instead of this restrictive approach, Dr. Jules advocates for the evidence-based 80-20 rule: aim for 80% of calories from nutrient-dense whole foods (primarily plants) while allowing 20% flexibility for treats, social occasions, and less nutrient-dense options. This balanced approach ensures nutritional adequacy while creating space for joy and celebration without guilt. By focusing on adding nutrient-rich foods rather than restricting "bad" ones, we naturally crowd out less healthy options while building a sustainable relationship with eating that can last a lifetime. Most importantly, we learn to enjoy food mindfully, because the healthiest diet isn't the most restrictive one, but the one you can maintain with joy and consistency for years to come.

Join us in challenging the conventional wisdom around "cheating" on your diet, and discover how changing your food mindset might be the missing piece in your health journey. Have you struggled with the restrict-binge cycle? Share your experience and let's build better food relationships together!

Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle.

You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop

Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog

You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ

Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/

Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts
https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules
https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/

Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify!
Thanks so much!

Peace, love, plants!
Dr. Jules

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The Dr. Jules Plant-Based PodcastBy Dr. Jules Cormier (MD)

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