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Is a treat just a treat or a dreaded paradox?

L

LiSwati

Well-Known Member
Messages
56
Location
Eswatini
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
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Negativity
Hi everyone. I have been thinking a lot lately about the psychological tightrope we walk when it comes to "treating" ourselves. Recent discussions on our forum reignited these deep thoughts.

We’ve all heard the advice (and maybe even told ourselves) that it is perfectly fine to have a treat now and then. We are human, after all, and rigid restriction rarely works long-term. But I want to share a perspective that completely shifted how I view these moments, and I am curious if it resonates with you.

Of late, I have realised that a treat is rarely just a treat. It's actually a fascinating, frustrating behavioural paradox, which can be labeled as - The Diabetes Treat Paradox.

Consider this common logic we use:
  1. The Definition: A treat is supposed to be an act of kindness, comfort, or self-care. It’s a reward for working hard or doing well.
  2. The Reality: The actual item (usually high-carb or high-sugar) causes blood sugar spikes, lethargy, or long-term damage.
  3. The Paradox: We are using an act of self-harm to show ourselves kindness.

When we look at it that way, it sounds crazy, doesn't it? But psychologically, it makes total sense. Our brains have two systems: the emotional one that wants instant comfort right now, and the logical one that wants long-term health.

From my own experience, the true danger of this paradox isn't just the single treat itself, it's how it tricks the brain. Because we frame it as a "reward" or a "break" from our rules, it creates a loophole. One treat can turns into a cheat day, which can turn into a weekend, by which point we have completely slipped away from our goals, left feeling guilty and defeated.
  • How do you experience this paradox? Does a "small treat" tend to stay small for you, or does it trigger a derailment from your goal?
  • How do we break the loop? Have you found ways to reward yourself that don't involve foods that work against your numbers or achieving your goal?
 
I'm T1 and not T2 so maybe I shouldn't comment, but if by a treat you mean a delicious something, why does it have to be high carb?

I can treat myself with low carb yummies (eg a delicious salad or cheese), keto sweet stuff (eg yoghurt , frozen berries and artificial sweetener (you don't need much) or even a glass of nice wine.

I think focussing the concept of a treat as "high carb" is unproductive.
 
EllieM said:
I'm T1 and not T2 so maybe I shouldn't comment, but if by a treat you mean a delicious something, why does it have to be high carb?

I can treat myself with low carb yummies (eg a delicious salad or cheese), keto sweet stuff (eg yoghurt , frozen berries and artificial sweetener (you don't need much) or even a glass of nice wine.

I think focussing the concept of a treat as "high carb" is unproductive.
Click to expand...
My food "treats" as a T2 include - Pork Scratchings, some good cheese, home made lower carb Ice Cream, high coco content dark chocolate
 
Dark chocolate with nuts is very good! Lidl do a super one. Cheese is also great, but I have to be careful with it as I have high cholesterol. Also nuts. And if you can keep your food treats to occasional, then "anything goes"!
 
LiSwati said:
  • How do you experience this paradox? Does a "small treat" tend to stay small for you, or does it trigger a derailment from your goal?
  • How do we break the loop? Have you found ways to reward yourself that don't involve foods that work against your numbers or achieving your goal?
Click to expand...
I find it helps me to remember that "treat" is a word heavily used by food marketing, who have spent years and billions finding exactly where to hit our emotional and comfort buttons, for their own profits. They have zero interest in our health.
And this conditioning by them has been around all our lives.
Now if I see, or think, the word "treat" I mentally stop and think who is this good for? It's become a red flag for me.

For example today I was going to visit a neighbour and didn't want to go empty handed. All the traditional gifts are carby sweet things so I took a puzzle book and some flowers from the garden.

It's taken me 5 or so years to get this far, having cycled through the "why are there no "healthy treats " and the "why are they not banned from sale" and the "it's not fair " phases.

Try asking yourself why you feel the need for a "treat". Is it a reward, a comfort, a way of muffling feelings, social pressure etc etc. The list seems endless. Try to identify why and it may lead you to a non food treat, for example feeling lonely - call a friend, Social pressure, practice saying no calmly yet assertively and then feel pleased for doing that, a mental pat on the back.
Often a few minutes deep breathing may change the mood or craving.

For me now foodwise a square or 2 of very dark chocolate may suffice, or a glass of whisky even then I find them creeping into daily...I'm no saint!

And all the above applies equally to the word "snack", a modern invention by food manufacturers to sell more, and for more profit. Just start to notice how often its used these days. Its even worse, Imho, than treat. At least treats are occasional but snacks are promoted as being OK several times a day!!!
 
MrsA2 said:
I find it helps me to remember that "treat" is a word heavily used by food marketing, who have spent years and billions finding exactly where to hit our emotional and comfort buttons, for their own profits. They have zero interest in our health.
And this conditioning by them has been around all our lives.
Now if I see, or think, the word "treat" I mentally stop and think who is this good for? It's become a red flag for me.

For example today I was going to visit a neighbour and didn't want to go empty handed. All the traditional gifts are carby sweet things so I took a puzzle book and some flowers from the garden.

It's taken me 5 or so years to get this far, having cycled through the "why are there no "healthy treats " and the "why are they not banned from sale" and the "it's not fair " phases.

Try asking yourself why you feel the need for a "treat". Is it a reward, a comfort, a way of muffling feelings, social pressure etc etc. The list seems endless. Try to identify why and it may lead you to a non food treat, for example feeling lonely - call a friend, Social pressure, practice saying no calmly yet assertively and then feel pleased for doing that, a mental pat on the back.
Often a few minutes deep breathing may change the mood or craving.

For me now foodwise a square or 2 of very dark chocolate may suffice, or a glass of whisky even then I find them creeping into daily...I'm no saint!

And all the above applies equally to the word "snack", a modern invention by food manufacturers to sell more, and for more profit. Just start to notice how often its used these days. Its even worse, Imho, than treat. At least treats are occasional but snacks are promoted as being OK several times a day!!!
Click to expand...
I loved your response, as I do relate. I hadn’t considered the marketing angle - that’s an eye opener.

I do not take ‘treats’ for the sake of treating myself, but I do cheat. I have come to the realisation that when I cheat, I justify my akrasia with the ideology that it’s okay to treat ourselves now and then. And that’s the paradox I face, which plays out as a psychological battle between my strong desire to lose weight and bring my BG levels down verse my weakness to all kinds a delicious things.

The fact is, I love food, and over the past 2 years my taste buds have become heightened and more sensitive to all favours; a result of a lowered sugar and salt lifestyle. This new taste sensation has led to an increasing trend to cheat. So how do I overcome this trend and stay committed to my dietary goals? How do you overcome similar temptations?
 
Treats don't need to be something carbohydrate or sweetened with sugar.

Now I am just on the ten year mark from diagnosis I have treats quite often - I treat myself to a souffle omelette, to salmon, good quality coleslaw, big boxes of mushrooms, to butter, herbs and spices. I make sponge puddings with almonds, hazelnuts, coconut flour, eggs, spices, a splash of rum - served with cream or yoghurt, or even real custard made with real vanilla.

I was nagged into eating low calorie foods for decades so it is a sort of revenge to be doing so well on the 'forbidden foods'.
 
LiSwati said:
So how do I overcome this trend and stay committed to my dietary goals?
Click to expand...
I test my bg every morning before eating anything. Seeing a low number is a bigger treat than anything I could eat, and the glow lasts all day,whereas the delight of eating doesn't last very long at all. I adapt the old saying, "A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips". I passionately want to stay in ketosis and that helps too.

All that said, my great treat every day is a mug of real coffee with double cream (half the carbs of milk). It would be easier for me to fast all day rather than give that up.
 
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