Whether you're working towards achieving a
healthy body or are looking for ways to shed some kilos, a healthy and a
clean diet is what you should aim for. While you may swear by your diet
plan or hooked to your workout routines, there are a lot of other
things you must pay attention to while following a weight loss program.
Take cheat meals for instance. Aren't they the best thing that can ever
happen to you amidst all the slogging and dietary limitations that you
have to follow? Surely they are. However, during the time you're on a
cheat meal, while you may be free to eat or drink whatever you like, you
must also learn to abide by these do's and don't.
Do not overeat and practice mindful eating
After days and days of excessive workouts
and healthy eating, people tend to go overboard and apart from eating
all the unhealthy and fatty foods, they sometimes eat more than their
body can take. Therefore, while you may just want to gorge down all the
delicious and scrumptious looking food, it is crucial that you practice
some mindful eating too. Instead of dumping everything down your throat,
you must enjoy each and every morsel of the food that goes inside your
mouth. This will not only ease your cravings but will also replenish
your soul.
Do listen to your cravings
While you have been working hard to get
yourself in the perfect shape, during your cheat meal, try and eat food
that you have been craving for. This will not only help you be satisfied
for the rest of the week and will also make you work harder towards
your weight loss goals.
Do not starve yourself for the cheat meal
Some people tend to misunderstand the goal
of a cheat meal. While it surely gives you the liberty to eat your heart
out, doesn't mean you starve yourself for hours, so as to make space
for your cheat foods. Instead of tending to your cravings, it will lead
you to excessive eating and may cause digestive problems too.
Do not eat in guilt
Guilt-ridden cheat meals are of no benefit.
Either you eat everything you like during this time or you don't. But if
you're eating the foods you like and are simultaneously feeling guilty
about it, then you're just wasting your time.
Do make a plan, even if it's a cheat meal
Cheat meals are surely a way to satisfy all
your cravings. However, while you're allowed to go out of your way, you
must also learn to make a rough meal plan that tells you what you're
going to eat and when you're going to eat it. It may seem a little
restraining, but with time you'll realise how effective it is in
disciplining your body and maintaining it.
Do maintain a nutritional balance
Usually, cheat meals are all about processed
foods and sweetened drinks, that have very less or low nutritional
value. While you're free to eat what you like for a cheat meal, it is
best to have some healthy and nutritious content on your plate amongst
others. Besides having enough protein, consume high fibre foods that
will help you with digestion after a heavy meal.