Study Proves Eating Pizza Could Help You Lose Weight

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Just in case you were feeling guilty about the slice you scarfed down last night, a new study is calling "cheat day" a good thing.

The study published by researchers in Portugal, says cheat days may help you stick to your healthy eating plan in the long-term.

In the study, scientists put participants on a diet that was limited to only 10,500 calories per week, says Men's Health. The catch was that half of the dieters were allowed to eat anything they wanted on Sundays.

After two weeks, the two groups had both reduced their average body mass indexes. While there was no significant difference in the amount of weight the two groups had lost, those who had taken Sundays off were happier and more motivated to continue working toward their weight-loss goals.

Researchers say occasional indulgence is actually beneficial, because it makes dieting more sustainable.

Here's the breakdown.

A cheat day gives dieters something to look forward to, sort of like the light at the end of a tunnel. When you have a cheat day planned it's like your moving closer and closer to complete freedom.

On the other hand, dieting without a cheat day can feel like being trapped in a tunnel with no exit in sight, making you more likely to give up entirely.

"The key is to plan ahead and designate a specific day for your rule-breaking," says study author Rita Coelho do Vale, Ph.D.

However the study does point out a difference between "cheat day" and binge day". Study participants kept their portions of not so nutritious foods within reason so they could stay within their weekly calorie totals. In other words, don't go crazy with calories, keep it at a minimum and watch the numbers on the scale go down.