Your cravings satisfied, not just scratched
IN a world of macro-balancing, calorie-counting, and clean-eating, you might think places like Sweet Diner in Denton are feeling a little neglected. With a full-fat menu of milkshakes, cakes and desserts, it's the kind of eaterie where the sugar rush hits you before you've even sat down and looked at the menu.
But according to owners Jay and Hussain, Sweet Diner has a strong contingent of customers who are also regulars at the gym. And their visits aren't a guilty slip-up to be atoned for with 150 burpees the next day. They're a planned treat that helps them stay on track with their nutrition plans the rest of the time.
The thinking behind a 'treat day' is that it lets you stay in control – which is better than caving into urges that spiral into a 'treat week' or 'treat month'
A treat day gives your willpower a rest, and stops you from feeling like you're missing out on your favourite foods. Some people also believe that the occasional high-calorie treat boosts your metabolism because it stops your body from going into starvation mode and holding onto fat you want to shift.
Says one of their customers, cross-fitter Beth, 'Treat days stop you binging daily by keeping your mind on your treat meal. Also they replenish your glycogen stores.'
Another cross-fitter who goes to Sweet Diner, James, says treat days 'mean dieting isn't a chore.'
Whatever your reasons for taking a treat day, Sweet Diner is a brilliant place to go if you want to fully satisfy your sugar cravings rather than just scratch the itch.
Gym-goers head there for the freakshakes and the 'dip 'n' dunk' which gives you strawberries, waffle bites and donuts to dip in warm milk chocolate or white chocolate. Ice cream sundaes are another popular choice – endorphin-releasing flavours include coconut indulgence, mint fudge mayhem, and cotton candy.
There's also a whole menu section devoted to hot cookie dough, including a Reeses peanut butter dough we're keen to experience. Add cakes, crepes and waffles, and you can see why they're called Sweet Diner.
But if your weakness is for a savoury treat, they cover this too with burgers that look as indulgent as the desserts, plus various options that appeal to people wanting to pack extra protein into their diet. Think flamegrilled steaks, triple egg omelettes, and peri peri chicken wings.
And the calories in all of this? We're not even asking. But we can assure you that after a trip here, you won't be hankering after a Dairy Milk for a few weeks at least.
So forget the macros for a day and go full sugar immersion. The only rules are no guilt, no regrets, and make sure you go back next time you're due a break from your grilled chicken and kale. They've plenty more flavours of warm cookie dough to try.
