How to Scarf Down Junk Food Without Hating Yourself After

We've all been there. You're home alone on a Friday night when suddenly the craving for something deliciously greasy and salty hits you like a ton of bricks. Before you know it, you've inhaled an entire extra-large meat lover's pizza faster than that pepperoni could fall off in the box. As that last cheesy bite slides down your throat, it's closely followed by a huge wave of regret, self-loathing, and the inevitable food baby bump. 

But it doesn't have to be like this! With a few simple tricks up your sleeve, you can still enjoy all your favorite naughty snacks totally guilt-free. You got this! Just follow these pro tips to become a master indulger who keeps that pesky remorse at bay.

Who doesn't smile at the sight of those signature mouse ears? When your circular delicacy arrives, use your pizza cutter to shape two slices into that iconic Disney silhouette. Not only will this make you laugh, but forming those little ears actually makes your slices appear smaller and cuter! Visual tricks are no joke—studies show that people serve themselves less food when their plates or servings look dainty. So craft away for guilt-free gluttony!

Or turn your pizza into a smiley face with olive eyes and a pepperoni grin if that's more your style. Suddenly that pizza looks less like a heart attack on a plate and more like an adorable edible friend. 

Plus, you can Snapchat it or Instagram it with a cute filter before devouring your new pal in two bites. Off with their head! Goodbye guilt, hello tummy happiness.

Ice cream, chips, fries—they all taste even better with sprinkles, cheese sauce, and globs of creamy deliciousness piled on top, am I right? But add even more stuff on there by throwing on some fresh fruits and veggies too! 

Load up your fries with avocado, salsa, spinach, and a sunny side up egg for a decadent twist. Mix blueberries and sliced banana into your ice cream sundae. And sprinkle antioxidant-rich goji berries on top of your milk chocolate snack to literally feel like you're doing something healthy. 

It's a wholesome illusion, but it works! Seeing all those beautiful colors makes your junk food look almost too beautiful to eat. Which makes shoveling it down all the more satisfying once you finally tuck in. Namaste, no guilt here!

Kids get away with mashing up their meals, starting food fights with their broccoli trees, and doing handstand competitions with chicken nuggets in their mouths. It's time to recapture that youthful freedom! 

Squish together all the ingredients of your fast food sandwich into one magical franken-meal. Get creative with creative sauce art on top of your pizza. See if you can toss Chex Mix pieces high enough to catch them in your mouth from across the room. Have an Oreo dunking contest with your partner to see whose cookie lasts the longest.

Not only does playing with your food let out your inner child, but it slows down your eating too. More fun per bite means feeling satisfied with less. And it transforms eating into a lively game versus mindless stress relief. Embrace the mess and laugh it off for wholesome snacking with no heavy price to pay.

The best way to avoid feeling guilty about your eating habits is to plan ahead by putting junk food indulgences directly into your calendar. For example, once a week on Fridays, block out 7-8:30pm to have a sacred food fest and Netflix binge. Mark it down as a real commitment—no canceling without rescheduling! 

Having this treat time scheduled in advance does wonders to prevent late night junk food urges or sudden drive-thru detours on your home from work. You know the blowout is coming, you've planned for it accordingly, so there's no reason to feel bad! Especially if you made sure to hit the gym, drink extra water, and load up on veggies earlier in the day to prepare.  

Even healthier when you invite friends over and order a buffet feast all together. That way you've got built-in portion control thanks to their presence! Appreciate the yummy free-for-all of Cheesy Movie Night for what it is, then back to regularly scheduled programming guilt-free.

At the end of the day, what causes most snack session regrets is feeling ashamed for "binging" or "cheating." Drop that lame narrative! Don't let arbitrary societal rules rain on your flavor parade. You want to let loose with a tray of nachos and a milkshake? You do you without apology!

Walk into your Happy Hour plans with a smug strut knowing your calorie splurge was already accounted for. Spread out your entire Taco Bell order proudly on the table like a beautiful still life to admire before mowing it all down. Take a shameless big-mouth, eyes-rolled-back-bliss selfie mid ice cream brain freeze. 

Post it online and watch the hungry likes from friends roll in! When you're fully comfortable and confident with your choices, no one else's opinions can bring you down. Not even your own worst critic. Especially when you've used all these other pro guilt-prevention tips as well. 

Dare anyone to make you feel bad about intentional joyful indulgence! Confidence is the best sauce there is.

Read - Top 10 Crazy & Unique Junk Food Flavors You Need To Try

At the end of the day, enjoying the occasional over-the-top junk food fest is good for the soul! Using visual tricks, getting creative, planning ahead, and embracing your indulgent side is the recipe for keeping guilt and regret from crashing the party. 

But that doesn't mean making every meal an entire pizza or every snack a jumbo bag of peanut M&Ms. As with most things in life, balance is key for both happiness and health. Make sure to drink lots of water, incorporate fruits and veggies, and get adequate exercise on the regular as well.

Then when you do choose to go crazy with cream-filled, cheese-smothered, chocolate-drizzled goodies instead? You can totally let loose and have zero qualms! Smile proudly with chip crumbs stuck in your teeth. No judgment, only joy. That's the ultimate goal here—learning to love every bite!