In past blogs, I’ve talked about going off-plan when you’re keto. I’ve said that as long as you plan it, you can have a keto cheat meal knowing you will be fine. Well, Bill and I went to Mexico last month, and I had an unexpected cheat that threw me completely off! Here’s what happened.
How the Keto Cheat Happened
It happened quickly, without any forethought. We were in an all-inclusive resort and were feeling relaxed and happy. There had been a few drinks and an entire day of being in the sun and warmth of Mexico. Dinner was simply amazing! I had a cajun chicken with grilled vegetables and every bite was delicious. Our server, being helpful, brought out a mousse flight for dessert.
The Temptation
There were four glasses on the wooden board. In my somewhat hazy state of mind, I felt it would be impolite to send them back without trying them. Besides, maybe there was one that wasn’t too sweet and Bill could try it. It could be Greek yogurt rather than a sugary pudding, I reasoned. It was all up to me to give them a try.
I dipped my spoon into the first glass. It had a berry spread on top of a creamy white mousse. There was a slice of blood orange on top. It was very sweet and the berry gelatin tasted like jam. I shuddered and moved on easily from that tiny spoonful.
The next glass had a chocolate crumble on top and a candy carrot. The mousse was like a carrot cake mixture. Again, it was very sweet. I’m not a fan of carrot cake, so I moved on without any regrets.
The third glass was an apple crumble on top and a vanilla mousse under it. I used to love apple crumble – in fact I used to eat it as a “healthier” dessert back in the day. It was harder to move on from that one. I took a couple of small spoonfuls.
The Final Keto Cheat Temptation
Then I hit the final glass. It was vanilla and chocolate mousse with a coffee liquor and whipped cream on top – tiramisu. Oh my God. I used to love tiramisu. I took one spoonful, and then another. Before I knew it, I had eaten it all. Every last bite of creamy goodness. I looked up and saw a rather surprised Bill watching me.
All week, I had been avoiding temptation. He had suggested a tropical drink, and I refused. He told me to eat the desserts, and I was good without it. Suddenly, for some reason, this one did me in. My will power went out the door and I ate every last drop of the tiramisu dessert. I felt awful.
The Realization of the Keto Cheat
My guilt was immediate. What had I done? What was I thinking? Bill had told me to go ahead with anything I wanted to eat or drink at the resort, so he wasn’t upset, but I was so upset with myself! I have been keto for three years and only had an off-plan day once during that time.
I used to dream that I was eating something not keto. I’d jolt awake as I realized what I’d done. It was almost like that, but this was real life – not a dream. What had I been thinking? Where had that bit of self-indulgence come from? The reality hit me hard.
Coming to Terms with Being Human
Carb Manager has an article on the right way and wrong way to have a keto cheat meal. I did this the wrong way because I didn’t think ahead or plan for it. I just gave in to a craving without warning. And that was what hit me hardest about this. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I’ve had plenty of cravings in the last three years, but this was the first time I’d given in. It felt like the old days when I would be eating a cookie before my brain could catch up to my mouth and I’d think, “I shouldn’t eat that cookie.” That’s what really shook me.
But in the end, I felt bad for eating it in front of Bill who doesn’t have the luxury of giving into cravings. I felt bad for falling off the wagon. And I did what I lecture against doing in my blogs – I beat myself up for it.
I’d been really relaxed (and a little tipsy) and I ate something off plan because of a craving. You know what happened? I felt a little crappy the rest of the night – physically and emotionally. And then I got up the next moment and enjoyed the rest of my vacation.
A Final Thought About My Keto Cheat
I’m not perfect, but one dessert does not undo all I’ve done in the past three years. And I realized this was an opportunity to let all of you know that it happens once in a while…and that’s okay.
When I got home from vacation, I did some intermittent fasting and did a meal plan so I knew exactly what was going into my body. I got back on track. And, I truly didn’t have any long-lasting effects from eating the dessert. So, if you eat something you shouldn’t, it’s not the end of the world. It’s just a blip in our journey to better health.
Wendy
