I think it really depends on what stage your body is at, what your goal is and how your body reacts to it.

If you are seriously overweight and are trying to lose it, then big blowouts are completely counter productive and you are just going to go in circles. You need to be honest with yourself. Dan says he has a friend who has a fantastic body but not so strict diet . Fine - it works for him. But if it doesn't work for you, then you need to realise that.

Ultimately it depends on how much your goal matters to you. If it's just a vanity project - get bigger muscles etc - and you don't mind if it takes twice as long, then do as you wish! If you are really miserable about your body appearance, then binge eat, you are just going to be going in a vicious cycle!