Can We Please Stop Calling It a Cheat Meal?
Why food isn’t a test, and you’re not ‘cheating’ by enjoying it.
Food Isn’t a Moral Exam
Let’s start with the phrase we hear everywhere: 'cheat meal'.
The problem isn’t the samosa. It’s the shame we wrap around it. Who exactly are we cheating? Our bodies? Our diets? Our Instagram goals?
The truth is, food doesn’t come with a moral scorecard. It’s nourishment, pleasure, culture, memory, community, and yes, sometimes indulgence. And that’s not a crime.
What We Tell Our Kids (and Ourselves)
Most children love jam, cornflakes, chocolate
spreads and colourful packaged food, and why wouldn’t they? They taste great.
They’re fun. They’re designed to light up little tastebuds.
But instead of labelling these as ‘bad’, maybe it’s time we tell our kids: these aren’t what you fill your whole stomach with. Junk food is for taste, not for fullness.
That one simple shift teaches balance without fear. It tells them, and reminds
us, that food can be joyful *and* thoughtful. No guilt. No cheat sheet required.
Let’s Talk About Chola Bhatura and Methi Laddu
Our grandmother never used the phrase 'cheatmeal'. She made chola bhatura when guests came home. She made methi laddus in winter, when our bodies needed warmth and energy. She didn’t have a calorie tracker or a fitness band. She had rhythm. She had instinct.
Some foods were for satiety. Some were seasonal. Some were celebratory. And all
of them had a place on the thali.
Balance wasn’t a trend. It was just how we ate. Without the labels. Without the
lectures.
We’re Not Cheating. We’re Living.
It’s okay to crave something fried. Or sweet.
Or processed. It’s part of being human, however when we label those cravings as
'cheating', we reinforce a narrative of failure.
And honestly? That mindset is worse for our health than any samosa.
Instead, what if we said:
- 'I’m having something indulgent today.'
- 'I felt like eating this, and that’s okay.'
- 'This reminds me of home.'
Food should bring comfort, not a sense of wrongdoing.
The Mental Load of Eating
Let’s acknowledge the emotional toll of food choices, especially for parents and working adults. We're bombarded with
advice, hacks, lists of what to avoid, and headlines that guilt-trip us into fear-driven decisions.
Eating shouldn't feel like a daily exam. It should be intuitive, nourishing, and sometimes spontaneous. We need to create space for enjoyment, not just
rules. Food isn't a test. It's not about willpower. It's about rhythm, tradition, and kindness to yourself.
Deprivation Is Not Discipline
We often think we’re teaching kids
self-control by banning treats. But here’s what actually happens:
- We create obsession around restricted foods.
- We build a scarcity mindset.
- We set the stage for overeating when the rules bend.
Instead, let’s normalise balance. Serve a samosa with chutney and salad. Add
nuts and fruit to a bowl of cornflakes. Let the chocolate spread sit next to a wholegrain roti. Show them how to eat, not what to fear.
Food, Season, and Culture: The Original Nutrition Plan
Traditional Indian eating was always rooted in seasonality. Til laddus in winter for warmth. Aam panna in summer for hydration. Haldi doodh when the weather turned. We didn’t ask: is this ‘clean
eating’? We just ate what supported the body at that time.
It wasn’t perfect. It was just honest, local, and intuitive. And so much lighter than the food rules we carry now.
Maybe the goal isn’t to demonise modern food, but to reconnect with food wisdom
that existed long before packaging claims and calorie math took over.
What Cibiens Believes
At Cibiens, we don’t do shame. We don’t do
“guilt-free” as a marketing tool. We do snacks that are:
- Honest in ingredients
- Easy on the stomach
- Clear on the label
- And delicious enough to crave again
We’re not made for cheat days. We’re made for *real* days: busy, boring, exciting, tired, chaotic, peaceful, all of them.
So What’s the Real Lesson?
Food is many things. Energy. Memory. Pleasure.Tradition. And it’s okay for it to be all of them.
We don’t need to cheat. We don’t need to punish. We just need to listen to our
bodies, our children, and yes, maybe even to our grandmothers.
They knew what they were doing.
Snack smart. Live better.
No guilt. No rules. Just honest food that fits into your real life.
Only with Cibiens.