# Cheat Day Culture A sub-segment of foodies looks to hyper-indulge in a conscious way. By [Armida Ascano](https://www.trendhunter.com/Armida), Chief Insights Officer | Published Aug 16, 2016 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/cheat-day-culture ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.3/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Cheat Day Culture trend? **Cheat Day Culture:** Though eating indulgently is sometimes seen as a result of lack of food education, foodie consumers who see indulgence as an earned right not only consume calorie-laden food, but more extreme versions than their non-self aware counterparts. This points to a new form of health movement that is less aspirational and more lighthearted. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 6, 2014 to Sep 30, 2016 - Published: Aug 16, 2016 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience) ## Audience - Gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Cheat Day Culture trend ### Indulgent Health Culture Consumers who see indulgence as an earned right not only consume calorie-laden food but also healthy extreme versions. An opportunity for restaurants to offer novel, indulgent, and healthy menu options. ### DIY Paleo Movement People following paleo-inspired diets look to create alternative recipes, leading to a trend towards Paleo and vegan-friendly dishes, opening opportunities for specialized offshoots such as paleo bakeries. ### Wild Food Creations Celebrity chefs and DIY enthusiasts popularize dishes featuring unconventional and extreme flavor combinations, leading to more experimentation and taste-bud stretching creations, creating room for food fests and food trucks to highlight innovative culinary confections. ## What the Cheat Day Culture trend means for industry ### For Health Food Industry A growing demand for healthier indulgent meals, inspires new niche markets of innovative recipes and food products. ### For Specialty Bakery Industry DIY health food enthusiasts are driving the demand towards paleo and vegan-friendly dishes, creating opportunities for specialized offshoots such as paleo bakeries. ### For Celebrity Chef Industry With the rise of experimental dishes in the culinary scene, celebrity chefs are an influential gateway towards unconventional taste sensations and emergent food trends. ## Workshop question While consumers seek to improve their lifestyles in numerous ways, how can your brand take an active role in the consumer desire for self-betterment while satisfying nonessential desires? ## Trend signals for Cheat Day Culture Trend score 3.3 out of 10, from popularity 49%, activity 42%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 49% - Activity: 42% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Cheat Day Culture trend 6 featured examples from Apr 6, 2014 to Sep 30, 2016. - [Trailblazing Doughnut Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glory-hole-doughnuts): Toronto's Glory Hole Doughnuts Serves Up Creative Flavor Combinations (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Bakeries and pastry shops can capitalize on the trend towards creative flavor combinations to set themselves apart from competitors and appeal to new customers. - [Paleo Cookie Pizzas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paleo-cookie-pizza): This Treat is a Healthier Alternative for a Decadent Dessert (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry can capitalize on the trend of paleo desserts by offering a variety of healthier treats that align with the paleo diet. - [Celebratory Gargantuan Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beef-burger): Dirigo Public House Honors One Year With a 100-Pound Beef Burger (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Restaurants and eateries can capitalize on the trend of creating unique or massive food items to attract customers and generate media buzz on special occasions. - [Sizzling Bacon Cannolis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bacon-cannoli): This Bacon Cannoli in an Unexpected Indulgence for Your Taste Buds (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Growing demand for unique and creative food offerings offers a disruptive innovation opportunity for new entrants to the industry. - [Rapper-Made Food Oddities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rapper-action-bronson): Rapper Action Bronson Makes a Deep-Fried Chicken Burger with Ice-Cream (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: The culinary arts industry can embrace unconventional food items and experiment with unique flavors to cater to the growing demand of Millennials and Gen-Z. - [Savory Bacon Cannolis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/italian-dessert): These Fried Italian Desserts are Filled with Crispy Meat for Added Crunch (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for restaurants and food brands to offer unique, innovative, and unconventional savory dessert options that cater to adventurous eaters. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)