# I deserve a treat \(a new way to think about "food rewards"\)

Published: 2013-08-26T11:06:32.878452-04:00
Canonical URL: https://www.getmealplans.com/blog/2013/08/26/i-deserve-treat-new-way-think-about-food-rewards/

I just loved this email from one of our meal plan users and had to share it with you. Her observations are eye-opening!

You may remember [my tale of a frappuccino](https://www.getmealplans.com/blog/2012/04/27/story-latte/), about how one of my clients, even after she hit a plateau, wouldn't give up her weekly treat at Starbucks. Finally she started losing weight again and it was because she'd found new ways to reward herself, like getting a manicure, that didn't involve "food." I think Claudia's observations sing to this.

![http://photos.happyherbivore.com/2013/07/stockfresh_726464_manicure_sizeXS.jpg](http://photos.happyherbivore.com/2013/07/stockfresh_726464_manicure_sizeXS.jpg)

*Hi Lindsay! I've lost a lot of weight since following the [meal plans](http://www.getmealplans.com) and others at work are noticing. The other day, one of my coworkers remarked that although she had started the day in a foul mood, she treated herself to a pastry from McDonald's, and was feeling much better now.*

*Then she said to me, "Don't you ever feel the need to "treat" yourself?" I was dumb struck by the comment. Consuming something I know to be unhealthy is not a "treat"! **Every time I eat now, I am TREATING myself.** Beautiful fresh fruits and veggies. A variety of complex flavors. Healthy legumes, seasonings and herbs. Since eating this way my cravings are gone and I no longer have that empty feeling of hunger.*

**Junk foods don't play fair:** They're loaded up with fat, salt, and sugar, which gives us intense pleasure -- especially sugar which triggers a dopamine release (dopamine is responsible for everything that feels good). And that pleasure? That's what makes us "crave" and want sugary foods when we're depressed, sad, moody... in need of a little *anesthesia.* (A great book to read about this is [Breaking the Food Seduction](http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Food-Seduction-Cravings-And-Naturally/dp/0312314949/?tag=happyherbi-20) by Dr. Neal Barnard.)

We all need a treat sometimes as a pick-me-up or to celebrate something, but I always encourage my clients **to find "treats" that don't involve food.** Don't settle for the artificial happy stimulant, do something that will really make you happy and will last longer than the 20-minute sugar high or 10 seconds the food is in your mouth ;)

Be like Claudia. [Get the latest meal plan now](http://www.getmealplans.com/#buy).