Does Anyone Else Have This Guilt?

Okay, I went out to dinner last night and got a small side salad to start, and then ate 1/2 of a serving of broiled chicken with mushrooms and asparagus on the side, and then we split a slice of cheesecake. Now I know I stayed within my daily calorie allowance, in fact I think for the day I was a bit under still... but I still felt soooo guilty for eating the cheesecake - even though I didn't go over my calories for the day.

Does anyone else ever get this feeling?

nope. and it's not like you were a glutton and ate a whole cheesecake. it's important to treat yourself because life is too short to not enjoy good things sometimes.

If that is the first slice of cheesecake you've had for a while, then you have no reason whatsoever to feel guilty.  In fact, you did the right thing, by eating a small, healthy meal, and planning out what you would eat so you could "afford" a little cheesecake.

Now, if you eat a slice of cheesecake every day, then that's not so good.  Don't sweat it at all.

Yeah, I definitely still feel like I'm breaking the rules when I eat "forbidden" foods.  But that's one of the things I like about this website . . . it makes me feel a whole lot better to know whether I've just blown my calorie limit for the day.  That way at least I can take responsibility for my choices and make up for a splurge with a little extra time at the gym.  Heck, everyone needs some cheesecake once in a while!

Yeah, there are times where I've alloted certain "bad" foods into my daily calories, and even though it's ok for me to eat them, I still feel a little bad afterwards.

Yes, absolutely.. I do... and it's something I have to try to change. 

Phew, I'm glad I'm not alone!

justlaura - I agree it would be unhealthy to eat cheesecake every day for nutrient reasons, but if you are staying under/within your calorie limit for the day, wouldn't you still lose weight?

Yes, theoretically as long as you stay within your calorie limit, you'd lose weight...I was referring to the cholesterol/fat/sugar/etc. in the cheesecake that are just bad to eat too much of. :)

Haha yeah, I don't think a slab of cream cheese/egg/sugar/cream is um, the best nutrient source for your body haha. But I guess as long as it's only once in a while and I stay in my range, I shouldn't feel too bad!

i do the same thing.  but what i am learning in recovery for my ed is that there are no good or bad foods, its all just food.  enjoy it in proper portions and all is well. 
also if you were still in your daily cal ramge ...why the hell not?  good for you, enjoy that cheese cake, you deserve it.

boy am i dealing with this...

I always feel guilty about what i eat, even if its healthy. And then out of guilt i usually end up eating more and it becomes a cycle. Not good!

Yep!  My daughter and I both "cheat" and then we are so remorseful and regret it the next day (or right afterwards).  Its kind of like once you are taught what to do to lose the weight, that you make a conscience choice to sabotage your diet, so you feel guilty. 

Right or wrong, we both feel VERY guilty when we fall off the weightloss wagon! ha

I think a lot of us are trying to deal with this issue. But the reality is, if you are smart and plan ahead (as you did) there is nothing to feel guilty about!! If we never ate sweets or fats we would constantly crave them and would probably end up eating a whole cheesecake in one sitting. We have to treat ourselves once in a while, as long as we are smart :)

Good point, hansenn. I think from now on in my life, I will plan ahead for something indulgent, not just be at a meal and say "Oh, by the way, I'm going to add dessert!" without planning/researching in advance.

all the time

any day i eat 'well', if i eat a little bit more (of a healthy food) than i intend to, i feel horrible.