Do "cheat meals" work?

people who followed a typical diet of eating the same thing daily to those who followed the same diet, but once per week doubled their caloric intake. The scientists called it “planned hedonic deviations.” We just call it finding time for a really good meal. Those who enjoyed the bonus meal reported having an easier time sustaining their motivation and self-control around food, compared to those who never got the break. Just as important, those who snuck in the bonus meal lost a similar amount of weight, despite the weekly indulgence.

Reference: The benefits of behaving badly on occasion: Successful regulation by planned hedonic deviations. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcps.2015.05.001