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What is known as a "cheat meal"?
Table of Contents
1. What exactly is a cheat meal?
There are times when we feel like breaking our diet. In such cases, a cheat meal comes in handy, which can be a small snack that is sweet and/or high in calories. The main goal of such a meal is to relax our minds. It allows us to relieve stress and forget about the diet for a moment. If cheat meals are properly introduced to the menu, they can bring us significant benefits.2. Cheat meal - impacts on the body
Every meal has its own impact on the body, including hormonal regulation. The list of hormones released after meals includes: insulin, leptin, thyroid hormones, and ghrelin. Despite their different functions, they all work together in metabolizing nutrients. An appropriate diet allows for effective reduction of fat tissue and helps maintain a stable hormone level. If a diet is well-balanced, one can allow themselves a cheat meal without worrying about disrupting the body's functions. However, such a meal should not exceed 1000 kcal. It's important to note that only after at least two weeks of dieting can a cheat meal be incorporated into one's daily diet to assess if the diet is yielding the desired results and is balanced. Only then can a cheat meal fulfill its purpose.3. Deceptive meal and psyche
A deceptive meal can exert a psychologically saving effect on the psyche. Mainly for this reason, we introduce it to our offer. It improves our mood, releases endorphins, or happiness hormones, and reduces emotional stress. A deceptive meal is significant because it allows for relaxation from imposed restrictions. Adhering to a diet for a longer period of time imposes stress on the body, which we can alleviate by introducing a deceptive meal.4. How it actually looks like in practical terms
Cheat meal should be used by individuals who are successful in their diet once a week, or by those who have difficulty adhering to their diet every two weeks. It should not be the first or last meal of the day. The optimal solution is to introduce it between the first and last meal of the day. If we choose to indulge in a cheat meal, we should not reduce the calorie count in other meals. It is important to remember that we should only consume the next meal when we feel hungry. If we are still satiated after waiting for a few hours, it may be a good idea to wait a bit longer. A good idea is to perform a HIIT workout, which helps increase thermogenesis and burn some calories from future meals. The following day after consuming the cheat meal, we may notice an increase in body weight, but there is no need to worry, as everything will return to normal within a few days. A cheat meal is an excellent solution, especially in situations where we are invited by friends for dinner and do not want to give up our nutritional plans.5. Pure cheat meal
A pure cheat meal, also known as a clean cheat meal, is a type of cheated meal that focuses on increasing the amount of calories consumed during a standard meal in the current diet. This means that a pure cheat meal is a larger meal than usual, but it is composed solely of those ingredients that are found in our diet. It can be, for example, a larger portion of rice, cassava, or meat, such as an extra chicken breast.6. Briefing
Despite the rising tide of criticism, cheat meals are highly popular. A cheat meal offers a fantastic opportunity for relaxation and recovery from dietary discipline. Its wise inclusion in the nutrition plan can lead to better muscle-building results. However, a cheat meal should not lead to giving up on the diet unless one decides on repeated deviations from the rules or exceeds the permitted number of calories. One should always remember moderation. People who have difficulty adhering to dietary discipline can disrupt the balance and cause instead of the positive effects of the cheat meal, only negative ones appear. Such mistakes are difficult to correct and often require starting the entire process anew.
