Tom Kerridge on Guilt and Healthy Eating
Chef Tom Kerridge openly discusses his struggles with balancing work and health, emphasizing his commitment to ‘remove guilt’ for improved dietary choices.
(Ki Price via Getty Images)
As you embark on a journey toward healthier eating in 2026, many diets incorporate the idea of “cheat days.” These designated days allow you to indulge in your favorite foods while adhering to a stricter regimen on other days. However, this notion doesn’t sit well with chef Tom Kerridge.
“Cheat days don’t exist,” he reveals in an interview with Yahoo UK as he outlines his resolution for a more balanced diet this year. The Michelin-starred chef, age 52, admits he often oscillates between eating healthy and indulging while taste-testing new dishes for supermarkets and restaurants.
“Food is my life, so focusing on my eating habits is a real challenge,” he elaborates. “I’ve tried to compensate for my indulgences, evaluating my diet over a week rather than each day.”
Kerridge’s philosophy dismisses the concept of cheat days entirely, as he believes in taking full responsibility for his dietary choices.
“I’ve trained myself to believe there’s no room for cheat days. They just create opportunities for sneaky indulgences. Allowing yourself those ‘little treats’ leads to a perpetual struggle for balance, which is unsustainable.”
Understanding Cheat Days
The idea of cheat days emerged in the early 2010s, coinciding with the ‘clean eating’ movement that took social media by storm. Influential fitness figures and celebrities promoted taking one day a week to indulge while maintaining strict dietary discipline on the other six days.
However, experts caution against cheat days, citing studies that link such breaks to binge eating and other unhealthy eating patterns. This can also exacerbate feelings of guilt related to food—an issue that Kerridge is actively addressing in his life.
Kerridge, alongside Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Seema Pankhania, participated in a cooking contest in 2024, reiterating his stance against ‘cheat days.’
(Jordan Peck via Getty Images)
“Guilt plays a significant role, especially after overeating. I strive to maintain balance throughout the week, while also working to let go of guilt when I stumble,” he shares.
“It’s essential to recognize when that guilt surfaces and address it. By acknowledging it, I remind myself that we can always do better tomorrow. Ultimately, it’s about accepting that responsibility for yourself.”
“We all have moments when we opt for convenience, like skipping the gym in favor of snacks. It’s crucial to acknowledge those choices and decide not to repeat them.”
In pursuit of better health, Kerridge has also stopped weighing himself, choosing instead to tune into how he feels physically and emotionally.
“I reflect on questions like: Am I happy? How do I feel? If I don’t feel good, what can I change? If I’m feeling sluggish, did I eat poorly? Tomorrow is another opportunity to improve,” he explains.
“Many people struggle with feeling unwell but may not understand the reason. They might attribute it to a single indulgent meal without digging deeper.”
Participating in Trainline’s recent campaign aimed at supporting Britons in their New Year’s resolutions, Kerridge emphasized the importance of self-reflection regarding health.
(PA)
Questions for Health Reflection
Kerridge, who joined Trainline’s campaign to inspire Britons to stick to their New Year’s resolutions, encourages self-reflection for better understanding your health.
He suggests asking crucial questions about your diet, such as whether you are genuinely hungry, if you’ve consumed enough water, and whether your meals are nutritious.
“Assess the types of foods you consume and educate yourself about their impact on your body,” he advises.
“Most individuals realize that opting for yogurt and fruit for breakfast, a hearty salad for lunch, and a balanced dinner filled with protein and vegetables will likely make them feel great.”
“Yet the reality often involves grabbing a bacon sandwich for breakfast, snacking on biscuits, followed by an unbalanced lunch, leading to an afternoon slump. Once tired, they might resort to sugary snacks for a quick boost before heading out for pizza in the evening.”
“While indulging can be enjoyable, we must recognize when it affects our health. Finding a better balance is essential—making healthier choices more consistently should be the goal.”
In summary, Kerridge’s approach to diet and health emphasizes personal accountability, self-reflection, and sustainable choices. By letting go of the guilt associated with occasional indulgences and focusing on overall well-being, anyone can embark on a healthier lifestyle.
