Have you ever done an extra 20 minutes on the treadmill so you can “cheat” later with an extra cocktail or extra fries on the side? It’s something many of us do and yet, is it a healthy mindset to have? Join our conversation with Lyndi Cohen, renowned dietician and nutritionist as she delves into the controversial topic of cheat meals and cheat days. Lyndi and host Mark Seeto explore the culture surrounding cheat meals, discussing whether they truly motivate or hinder progress towards health goals. Discover why cheat meals can contribute to a dangerous relationship with food and potentially lead to disordered eating. Lyndi sheds light on the psychological implications of associating certain foods as rewards or punishments, challenging the notion of good versus bad foods. Tune in to gain insights on forming a healthier perspective on nutrition and self-care.
Our favourite quotable moments:
"If your day-to-day diet is so restrictive and hard to stick to that you need to incentivize yourself with a cheat or a reward at the end, then it is not a smart thing for you to be doing." - Lyndi Cohen
"Eating perfectly clean macro portion controlled foods throughout the week and then deviating during cheat meals messes with our relationship with food." - Lyndi Cohen
"Cheat meals trigger a primal response in our bodies, leading to overeating and binging." - Lyndi Cohen
"Cheat meals can result in feelings of shame and self-loathing, leading to extreme under-eating and a clean eating mindset." - Lyndi Cohen
"Exercise is sometimes used as a way to punish ourselves for what we ate." - Lyndi Cohen
Lyndi Cohen is one of Australia’s most well-known and trusted health experts. Lyndi is a dietitian, best-selling author, podcaster and resident nutritionist on Channel 9’s TODAY show. She never uses photoshop and uses her channels to advocate for real health without the wellness wankery. Lyndi has also developed her Back to Basics App which helps people be healthy without dieting and also provides support and coaching for people suffering from binge eating disorder through her Keep It Real program. Her 2nd book, Your Weight Is Not The Problem came out this year in January 2023.