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Cheat meal 5 myths
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1. What's a cheat meal?
Cheat meal is a cheated meal, high in calories and volume. For some people starting a cheat meal diet, it is a mandatory position in the plan. It is also referred to as a flavor meal or a carbohydrate meal. Photos of appetite-induced cheat meals are flooding social media portals. A 2017 study found that more than 60% of Instagram account owners who admitted to including such a meal in their diet were heavily muscled (E. Pila et al. 2017).2. Cheat meal has its advantages
Supporters cite a temporary break with restrictions and enjoyment of eating as the main benefits of this meal. A meal that delivers more calories can contribute to the release of leptin, the hormone responsible for feeling full (P. Gogga et al. 2011). This means that a person on a restricted diet after eating a high-calorie meal may experience some kind of relief.3. Cheat meals are flawed
Few people talk about feeling better after eating a lot of unhealthy fats and simple carbohydrates. Sudden intake of a large number of calories is a huge stress for the body. There is an overload of the digestive system. In addition to bloating, nausea, or vomiting, some people may also experience mental discomfort. Additionally, inclusion of cheated meals in the diet can lead to unhealthier eating habits, such as eating. Unfortunately, it is rare when a cheated meal consists of healthy and unprocessed foods.4. You can eat what you want and as much as you want
For one person, a dream meal will be a bunch of ice cream with a favorite flavor, and for another, a big pizza. For the body, eating a high-calorie meal is going to be a big challenge. So it's worth considering what a cheat meal should be made of so that it doesn't cause, for example, stomach problems.5. Cheat meals have a positive effect on mental health
Unfortunately, allowing yourself to eat one unhealthy meal often causes the so-called pal licho effect. It can be understood as a rebellion against imposed rules (in this case, dietary restrictions). When you lose self-control and reach for large amounts of food, you can eat much more than you intended.6. A diet that only includes cheat meal
It's a huge mistake to start any diet with the attitude that it has to include one unhealthy meal. Everyone should adjust their diet to their preferences and permanently introduce healthy eating habits. The diet should become a lifestyle, not an adventure. If eating meals is going to be fun, if they're tasty and healthy, there's no need to introduce cheating meals. Of course, you should follow common sense.7. Cheat meals have only positive effects
Researchers were looking for a link between cheat meal and eating disorders. The study group consisted of young men (46%) and young women (56%), among whom cheat meals were frequently used. The results revealed that more than 89% of all participants included cheated meals (both spontaneous and planned) in their diets. However, only men were found to be associated with eating disorder and eating episodes.8. Cheat meal is for everyone
It may seem that a dream meal after several days of dieting produces the same effect in everyone. It should reduce stress and make it enjoyable. However, people with less self-control can eat more unhealthy foods, which can lead to guilt. People who decide to adopt cheat meals should be aware of these consequences.9. Summary
Cheat meals don't affect everyone as positively as they might seem. They can lead to the development of eating disorders, which negatively affects your health. Regularly incorporating less healthy meals into your diet can reduce mental stress, but not everyone's. To prevent cheat meal from causing harm, you need to take a reasonable approach. In many cases, the 80/20 method or so-called diet breaks can be a better solution, i.e. periodic reduction of deficit and calorie-equivalent to total demand. These methods allow you to maintain your dietary assumptions and achieve your goal. Always look for the best solutions.
