For me cheat meals is a little better.  I get smaller treats more often.  This makes me feel like I do not miss out on many of the things that I enjoy, while still maintaining my objective of eating healthier.   I don't know if this helps at all, but that's my 2 cents.

I also do cheat meals more so than days.  If I have a cheat meal I can always try to counter it a little with eating lighter the rest of the day or exercising and then I don't get the guilty feeling. 

When the days do come (let's face it, they are inevitable!) that I've hit or exceeded my maintenance calories - I don't feel so bad because I know that doesn't happen often.

You really have to work out what's best for you.  Will you be able to restrict it to one meal?  Some people have a hard time getting right back on track once they feel they've fallen.  They figure...what's the point?  Some people need to stay strict with themselves and not allow any "cheats" but rather work harder at working "treats" in their daily calorie goal.  Some people can blow off a maintenance day and not be phased in the least.  It is all about what works for you.

I've actually never had a cheat meal. I don't know of I could psychologically handle that. I might lose it or something. For me, I like being in complete control of what I eat. At least something in this world is controllable.

If I was going to do a cheat meal though, I'd probably have to have someone else make it for me, since I know pretty much the calories in every single piece of food on the planet, and am like...awesome at eyeballing.

I have a cheat day, usually on a rest day where I'm not only eating at or around maintenance, but it's higher in fats, lower in fiber and more of the "old stuff".  For me, it just feels natural to a have a regular day.  It's not just about food but having a routine where I'm out and visiting fun places. 

Cheat days still don't include fast food, usually really good restaurant food.

Thanks for all the replies. I guess for me I prefer a cheat day, when I don't have to think so much about the timing and exact nutrient makeup of each meal.  Also, cheat meals for me can actually set me up for failure because I'll think oh I just can add a little extra peanut butter to this next meal and the next and the next.  I am very strict w/ myself and do better when I am in the perfect eating mode for longer stretches. It's funny cuz for some reason I can cheat for a day but I have no problem going back to my strict eating the next day.  Oh well, guess we are all different. Mostly, I am doing cheat days to try to keep my metabolism going strong.  I have a tendency to undereat when I am being strict and I think that is why I got stuck at a plateau for awhile.  Things are starting to move in the right direction again, though. Not 100% sure if it's the extra cals, the cheat day, Melkor's insane workout that I am doing, or the fact that I have now stopped eating starchy carbs after lunch but whatever it is things are better.

I am counting down the days till my next cheat day.....it will be my 37th b-day in about 10 days or so and I think I'm going to allow myself a small slice of cake. YUM!!!