Can I eat out during 75 Hard?

November 22, 2025 •

4 min read

With over a billion views for #75HardChallenge on TikTok, millions are asking: Can I eat out during 75 Hard? The answer depends entirely on your chosen diet and an uncompromising commitment to the rules.

Quick Summary

The 75 Hard program strictly prohibits cheat meals and alcohol, making eating out exceptionally difficult and requiring meticulous planning to avoid restarting the challenge.

Key Points

Strict Rules: 75 Hard prohibits all cheat meals and alcohol; any deviation requires restarting the challenge from Day 1.
Meticulous Planning: If you must eat out, review the menu beforehand and plan your order to match your strict diet perfectly.
Simple Customizations: Stick to plain grilled meats and steamed vegetables, and don't be afraid to ask for specific preparations to avoid hidden ingredients.
Social Pressure: Be prepared to communicate your commitment to dining companions, as social settings can be difficult to navigate.
Alternative Consideration: The 75 Soft challenge is a more flexible alternative that allows for occasional indulgences and eating out with less rigid rules.
Discipline First: The challenge prioritizes mental toughness over convenience, so eating out is possible but not without a serious test of willpower.

The Non-Negotiable Rule Against Cheat Meals

The 75 Hard program, created by entrepreneur Andy Frisella, is a 75-day mental toughness challenge with a set of five non-negotiable daily tasks. One of the most rigid rules is related to diet: participants must follow a structured nutrition plan with "ZERO CHEAT MEALS" and "ZERO ALCOHOL". For the purposes of the challenge, a "cheat meal" is any food that does not align with the specific diet you chose at the start. If a participant compromises on this rule, even once, they must restart the entire 75-day process from Day 1. This all-or-nothing approach is central to the program's philosophy of building mental fortitude and discipline by eliminating any loopholes or excuses.

Can You Go to a Restaurant on 75 Hard?

Yes, you can physically go to a restaurant during 75 Hard, but the act of eating there becomes a significant test of your discipline. The core challenge is avoiding a cheat meal, which is exceptionally difficult given the preparation methods and ingredients common in most restaurant cooking. A restaurant meal often includes hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, and processed components that may violate your specific, self-selected diet. Because there is no flexibility, any deviation means a complete reset. For this reason, many participants choose to avoid dining out entirely to eliminate the risk of accidental rule-breaking.

Strategies for Dining Out Without Cheating

If you find yourself in a situation where you must dine out, meticulous preparation is required to stay compliant. Here are some strategies to consider:

Review the Menu Online in Advance: Before you even leave the house, study the restaurant's menu to identify the safest, most compliant options. This allows you to make an informed decision without feeling rushed or tempted at the table.
Prioritize Simple Preparations: Stick to basic, whole-food ingredients. Good options include plain grilled chicken, fish, or steak, steamed vegetables, and simple salads with oil and vinegar dressing on the side.
Request Specific Customizations: Do not hesitate to ask your server for modifications. Examples include: "Grilled chicken with no oil or butter," "Steamed broccoli, no sauce," or "Dressing on the side, please." This is a necessary step to maintain control over your food's ingredients.
Be Mindful of Condiments and Sauces: Many sauces, glazes, and dressings contain sugar and other off-plan ingredients. Avoid them unless you can confirm the exact contents. It is always safer to request a plain dish.

Navigating the Social Challenges of Eating Out

Social situations revolving around food and alcohol are one of the most challenging aspects of 75 Hard. Your friends, family, or colleagues may not understand the program's strictness and could pressure you to make an exception. The program requires that you communicate your commitment and stand firm, which strengthens your mental resilience. Consider these tips:

Communicate Your Intentions Clearly: Tell your dining companions about your challenge beforehand. This helps manage expectations and reduces awkwardness at the dinner table.
Focus on the Social Connection: Shift the focus from the food to the company. Emphasize that you are there for the social aspect and that your dietary choices are not a reflection of your enjoyment of the event.
Plan Ahead with Your Social Circle: If possible, suggest dining at a restaurant that is known for offering healthy or customizable options. This proactive step can benefit both you and your dining partners.

75 Hard vs. 75 Soft: The Eating Out Comparison


Feature	75 Hard Challenge	75 Soft Challenge (Alternative)
Diet Rules	Follows a strict, chosen diet plan with zero cheat meals and zero alcohol.	Follows a balanced diet with some flexibility for occasional treats or indulgences.
Alcohol	Strictly prohibited for the entire 75 days.	Allowed on social occasions in moderation.
Dining Out	Possible, but requires meticulous planning to order a meal that exactly matches your diet without any compromises.	Much easier to manage, as occasional meals out are permitted as long as they fit within the balanced eating guideline.
Mindset	All-or-nothing approach; one mistake means restarting.	Focuses on building sustainable, long-term habits without the pressure of perfection.

Conclusion: The Choice is Yours, But the Rules Are Not

Ultimately, whether you can eat out during 75 Hard depends entirely on your self-selected diet and your dedication to adhering to it perfectly. The challenge is designed to push you to your mental limits, and social events involving food and drink are often where that discipline is most tested. While it is technically possible to navigate a restaurant meal, it is far from easy and requires unwavering commitment to avoid a full program reset. For those seeking a less restrictive path to building healthier habits, the 75 Soft challenge offers a more flexible alternative. The purpose of 75 Hard is to develop mental toughness through absolute adherence, and that means zero compromises when dining out.

For more detailed information, consult the Andy Frisella official 75 Hard rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

A cheat meal on 75 Hard is any food item that falls outside of the structured diet plan you chose to follow for the 75 days. Since the program lacks specific nutritional guidelines, you define your own, and any departure from it is a cheat meal.

If you fail to follow the rules of 75 Hard, even by accident, you must restart the challenge from Day 1. There is no flexibility or room for mistakes, which is a core tenet of the mental toughness program.

Yes, you can have coffee during 75 Hard, but the preparation must comply with your diet. Plain, black coffee is usually acceptable, but additions like sugar, syrups, or creamers may constitute a cheat depending on your specific rules.

The most disciplined approach is to either attend and not eat, or attend and order a dish that perfectly fits your diet (like a plain salad). You could also consider celebrating after the challenge is over, but be aware of the social pressures involved.

It is safest to avoid all sauces and condiments when dining out during 75 Hard, as they often contain hidden sugars, oils, or other ingredients that could violate your diet. Always request a plain dish with sauces on the side, or opt for a simple oil and vinegar dressing.

While technically possible, it is extremely difficult. The margin for error is zero, and relying on restaurant food increases the risk of consuming something that doesn't fit your strict plan. Many participants find it easier to prepare all meals at home.

75 Soft is a less rigid version where you aim for a balanced diet but can have occasional treats or indulgences, making dining out a more flexible and realistic option without the risk of starting over.