National Eat What You Want Day - Want to make the best out of National Eat What You Want Day? Check out the best activities, recipes, and deals to make the most out of this cheat day!

National Eat What You Want Day 2024 – May 11, 2024

Restricting yourself from your favorite foods can be difficult. That is why, on May 11, we celebrate National Eat What You Want Day! On this day, people are encouraged to treat themselves by giving in to their sweet tooth, carb-loading without having a marathon to run, and eating breakfast for dinner. Because on Eat What You Want Day, no one can tell you what NOT to eat.

National Eat What You Want Day timeline

1558
The First Diet Book

Considered the world’s first diet book, “The Art of Living Long” is written by Venetian nobleman Luigi Cornaro.

1860s
Diet Boom

The first diet that attracts a mass following is created by William Banting.

1960s
Similar Holiday

Mother to six children Florence Rappaport starts Eat Ice-Cream For Breakfast Day on a snowy winter’s day in Rochester, New York.

Late 2010s, early 2020s
The Keto Craze

Although it was created back in 1921, the very low-carb, high-fat diet called the ketogenic diet only becomes trendy a century later.

National Eat What You Want Day Activities

  1. Have breakfast for dinner

    One thing that people always seem to seek permission for is having breakfast for dinner. Take the freedom to choose and have a fluffy stack of pancakes with a side of bacon before bedtime. You may throw off your taste buds, but your stomach will be happy.

  2. Break the routine

    If you normally pack a lunch for school/work, leave the brown paper bag at home. Instead, invite your coworkers out for lunch and try a new restaurant in the area. You will enjoy the company and the break from the same old sandwich.

  3. Get the kids involved

    Parents are mainly in charge of selecting what's for dinner. Eat What you Want Day is an opportunity for the kids to decide what will be on tonight's menu, and creates an opportunity for them to help out with the meal.

Why We Love National Eat What You Want Day

  1. The freedom to choose

    Everyone seems to be so wrapped up in counting calories and restricting themselves from consuming certain foods. On Eat What You Want Day, you have the freedom to choose what to eat without feeling guilty about it.

  2. There's always that one thing we've been wanting to try

    For many people, cheat days may not be a frequent occurrence for our eating habits. Going out to dinners and drinks with friends stop us from trying the newest dish or drink on the menu. Today you're allowed to taste those specials that you may have been holding off on.

  3. It takes away structure

    Many people plan their days out to include exactly what time and what type of food they will be eating. Eat What You Want Day frees up your schedule and allows you to be spontaneous, adding excitement to your day.

National Eat What You Want Day dates

Year Date Day
2023 May 11 Thursday
2024 May 11 Saturday
2025 May 11 Sunday
2026 May 11 Monday
2027 May 11 Tuesday