Cheat Meals For Weight Loss: Is It Good or Bad?

Cheat meals are almost every diet that incorporates it in one way or the other. These cheat meals can prevent replenish your glycogen stores by increasing the number of calories and carbohydrates you are consuming. This can not only give you some much-needed flexibility in your diet plan but also balance out the fat-loss process. Also, these cheat meals provide you with the energy you need for a difficult workout. But going exceeding your meal on your cheat days can of course leads to setting you back a bit with your weight loss goals.

Cheat meals also help to reset hormones responsible for metabolism, and insulin regulation, also replenishing glycogen for increased energy. This keeps calorie brining and fat-torching mechanisms high.

Cheat Meals & Weight Loss Combination

Cheat meals prevent weight loss in two ways: metabolic pathways and motivation. The presence of hormones such as leptin makes you feel full. When you diet for a long time, the leptin levels decrease, and your body becomes sensitive to it. This increased sensitivity makes you feel hungrier.

While having a cheat meal, insulin is released, which increases the leptin level in the brain and makes you feel satisfied. Consuming regular cheat days might actually make you eat fewer calories than you expected.

The essence of these cheats is to eat clean for the better part of your week, stay active and reward yourself by indulging in something you really want to eat. While few people may not choose to cheat, and some find this process an important part of their week.

Importance of Cheat Meal

Let’s read a few more points to know how you can plan your cheat meals and how can manage your calories intakes:  

1. Planning is The Key

Choose a time when you are likely to be craving fatty foods, for instance on a weekend or for a special occasion or family gathering. In this way, you can maintain your calorie intake that day. These cheat meals or diet plans for weight loss give you that extra motivation to do well during the week. Also, cheat meals allow you to choose your favorite food during your weight loss journey.  

2. Great Psychological Relief

Including cheat meals in your weight loss journey gives you the feeling that you’re not totally restricting yourself to eat certain foods. However, it is essential to keep an eye that your cheat meals do not turn into a cheat day(s). Also, cheat meals help you to fulfill your cravings which you may have during your restricted dieting, and sometimes help to boost your metabolism.

3. Skip Weighing for at Least 2-3 Days after a Cheat Day

After having a cheat day, remember for every gram of carbs you consume your body will hold nearly 3 grams of water. Always plan for the extra water the day after your cheat meal. But do not forget as long as you do everything right you will still make progress.

4. Reduce Your Stress with Cheat Meal

When you have your favorite dish or dessert, your brain produces happy hormones called endorphins. Along with that dopamine, the hormone is also released which decreases the cortisol level, thereby reducing your stress.

5. Regulates Your Metabolism

A weekly reward meal has proven to build your metabolism by increasing the level of leptin which is the satiety hormone. In a way it makes you feel fuller and satisfied.

6. Cheat Meal Regulates Your Hormones

Reward meals can help you to regulate your hormones responsible for metabolism and insulin. Thus, keeping your day-burning process intact.

7. Help to Lose Weight

If you consider your cheat meal as a reward meal, you are self-rewarding yourself for your consistency and it would further motivate you to achieve another mini milestone.

Bottom Line

An absolute diet is not about restricting yourself, but it is all about making healthy choices. If you are following 90% of your diet of the time, you can also enjoy your cheat meals every week. In conclusion, always remember that all bodies are different. The best thing is to take a piece of advice and learn how to listen to your body. Because several times many bodies might actually not respond well to cheat meals. Make sure you listen to your body, and you will get rewarded exponentially!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What Happens When You Consume Cheat Meals?

Ans: After consuming a larger meal than usual, the human body increases leptin production by as much as 25-30 % for up to 24 hours. For those, who are on a highly restrictive, low-calorie diet, nutritionists often believe that cheat meals allow individuals to eat better throughout the week.

Q: Can A Cheat Meal Sets You Back?

Ans: A cheat meal can help you reload your glycogen stores by increasing the number of calories and carbohydrates you are consuming. This provides you with the energy you needed for physical activities. But going irrational on your cheat day can, of course, set you back a bit with your weight loss goals.

Q: What Is The Perfect Time To Consume Cheat Meal?

Ans: The best timing of having your cheat meal is in the morning.

Fun Fact

Why waste money when you can cook a restaurant-style chicken at home? Yes, Fitelo presents you with a yummy and healthy recipe of chicken kali mirch that you and your family can relish in dinner. It is easy to cook and also, can become a perfect choice of recipe for a party at home.

Contact Us Today

Your search to find the right guidance to be a part of all those fat-to-fit stories ends here. So, contact us today if you are looking for a diet plan with cheat meals. Also, we will discuss how we can help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Disclaimer

This blog post was written to help you to make healthy and better food choices altogether. So, be aware and take care. The important thing to consider is your own health before starting a diet that is restrictive. Therefore, always seek advice from a doctor/dietitian before starting if you have any concerns.
Eat Healthy, Live Healthy. Enjoy a long happy life.