An athlete should eat clean whole foods 85% of the time and treats 15% of the time, which works out to roughly every other day. This beats strict cheat days and lets you perform while still enjoying burgers and ice cream with friends.
How many days a week should athletes be dialed in on their nutrition? I do not believe in cheat days. I don't believe in being super strict with your nutrition and then on Sunday you go ham and you just eat whatever is in sight. I believe in balance. I say the 85/15 rule is perfect for my athletes. 85% of the time be eating whole foods, clean, the foods that you need to fuel your body with to be able to feel good and perform well. The other 15% of the time, enjoy a treat. Go get a burger and fries with your friends. Go out and get ice cream. That's totally fine. What that looks like is about every other day having a treat of some sort, or going out and having a fun meal on the weekends with your 85% of the time if you're dialed in, 15% of the time can be fun to just loosen up a little bit and enjoy food with your friends.
