I eat healthy about 90% of the time. I don’t necessarily spend my day counting calories, but I am almost always aware of the protein, carbohydrate, and fat ratio on my plate. It’s become a way of life for me and I have to admit I genuinely enjoy knowing everything about my food.

I Cheat!

What happens the other 10%? I cheat! I have a meal or treat that has no other purpose than to bring a smile to my face. It’s a physical and mental refueling after a streak of hard training and good food choices. It’s my version of healthy emotional eating.

No Guilt Eating

My cheats are usually planned ahead of time, not because I spend my day fantasizing about cheat foods, but because I am looking to maintain a healthy relationship with my food. My personal definition of a cheat is simply a temporary stray from balanced nutrition. On the other hand, I define a binge as an unplanned, thoughtless, seemingly endless consumption of unhealthy food. Binges come riddled with guilt. Cheats do not!!

When it comes to my cheat meals, I want delicious food, quality ingredients, a relaxing experience, and no personal labor. Needless to say, that means I’m going out to eat and the kids stay at home playing with the grandparents.

Perfection

So what’s my idea of the perfect cheat meal in Huntsville?

Hands down, I’m starting off the night at Mezza Luna. I love this place! While I can eat fresh and healthy food here on a regular eating day, for a cheat meal I’m ordering the chicken pesto pizza and I’m not sharing a single slice with anyone at the table.

There is nothing about generosity in my definition of a cheat meal so that crispy, salty, olive oily, and cheesy pizza is all mine if I so please.

To be clear, I am also not sharing my dessert, chocolate pecan pie from Commerce Kitchen. Chocolate, chunky, goo is my idea of sweet perfection.

The next day I’m back to routine. I’m waking up, without the self loathing fat talk, getting a great workout in, and eating clean, whole, and natural foods. Wellness and fitness are not about living your life starved or carb deprived. A healthy relationship with your food involves being mentally present in your food choices. Plan a satisfying cheat to avoid reckless binges.

Find Your Perfect Cheat Meal

Still looking for that perfect cheat meal in Huntsville? That chocolatety, sweet perfection? That perfect valence of crispy and salty? Don’t want to spend your entire life looking? I’ve got the perfect event for you! Homegrown Huntsville’s Dine and Dash.

For a mere $30 you get to sample 5 of downtown Huntsville’s finest restaurants in under 3 hours. This fabulous event takes place the 2nd Thursday of every month and features different restaurants each time. Get your tickets now! There’s limited spaces and it always sells out. Added bonus, get seats in Trolley C and our Digital Media Wizard Larkin will be your Trolley Hostess for the night! And she is a blast!