Cheat meal is good for weight loss
Following a restrictive diet for a long time when on a mission to lose weight can be overwhelming. It is natural to have cravings for your favourite
pizza or dessert, but what if we told you that sometimes it is best to
give in to your deep cravings and enjoy your favourite food.
Cheating
on your diet and indulging in your favourite food once in a while is
not a bad idea. In fact, experts believe that cheat meals help to keep
you motivated and focused on your goal to shed kilos. But this should be
done with utmost planning. What you would eat and when you would eat
all these things plays a crucial role when trying to lose weight. Here
we will tell you the right time to have your cheat meal.
Breakfast or lunchLet say that you have decided to have your
cheat meal on weekends and have finalised what you want to eat, the next
question should be when to eat. Well, as per us lunch is the best time
to have your cheat meal. Have a normal healthy breakfast in the morning
and then indulge in your favourite treat in the afternoon.
Why lunch is preferred
Your cheat meal is more likely to
be loaded with carbs, fat or sugar. Having any of these things in
breakfast can lead to digestive issues. Your breakfast should be in
general healthy and balanced. That's because in the morning our
metabolism is slow due to lack of energy and our stomach might have
difficulty in digesting heavy meals. Having food loaded with carbs and
fat can put extra pressure on your stomach which might cause gastric
issues, ingestion and heartburn.
Secondly, in the morning we
are famished due to overnight fasting. Imagine if at that time your
favourite food is served in front of you. You will definitely overeat,
which can easily sabotage your weight loss goal. Having a cheat meal is
good, but overeating is not. Even when indulging in your favourite food,
do not forget about the calories. The number is important to stay on
track.
Planning is important
Every cheat meal should be carefully
planned. If you are planning to have your favourite food in the
afternoon then make sure your breakfast is healthy and you exercise in
the morning. Go for a walk or run to burn the extra calories that you
consumed. Moreover, your dinner of the day should also be healthy and
light.
Dos and Don'ts of a cheat meal
When cheating on your diet, you should
never forget your end goal. A cheat meal is just a way to curb your
craving, so do not get swayed. Here are a few things that can help you
stay on track.
Decide your cheat meal beforehand
Cheat in moderation
Workout before and after the feast
Don't turn your cheat meal into a cheat day or week
Create a calorie buffer when you indulge