The Cheat Meal Myth

[NJRipped]

I constantly see references to cheat meals on this board and others. Regular posters on this board, and others, tell people that the cheat meal is a good thing and will shock their body in a positive way. My belief is that people who advise this are simply attempting to justify their inability to control their own eating. If you want to do it then do it but don't advise others that it's good for you. Since when is eating processed, fatty, crappy foods a good thing?

If you're interested in shocking your body, eat a greater amount of quality foods for a meal occasionally. I haven't cheated on my diet in nearly 3 years and have made great progress. I'm not saying you should be as dedicated as I have been. Do it yourself if you want to but don't give out advice that eating highly processed foods once a week is a good thing.

 

[Cut]

For me a cheat meal is something I have to keep myself sane, and to break the monotony of the bland foods I eat for most of the week. I don't do it for any scientific or technical reasons.
I don't believe that eating these meals in moderation is a bad thing, and they sure as hell taste good to eat

 

[NJRipped]

It's not optimal of course but it won't kill you either. The problem I have is when people say it actually helps you physically - it might help some psychologically.

For me a cheat meal is something I have to keep myself sane, and to break the monotony of the bland foods I eat for most of the week. I don't do it for any scientific or technical reasons.
I don't believe that eating these meals in moderation is a bad thing, and they sure as hell taste good to eat

 

[~SC~]

I wouldn't say "myth", as that would be something that all would agree on, and that is common knowledge. Not the case here, it's just opinion about a cheat day.

In all of my training/counseling experience (tons), I've found that if one's dietary plan of attack is sterling in nature, one all out cheat meal or day per week (dependent upon the subject) is not only good for the metabolism and leptin levels, but also for psychological/relaxation reasons.

The simple fact is that the majority of those I assist who are over-weight NEED this cheat day per week for MENTAL reasons, as well as physical. Having this "free" day per week not only helps metabolism, but helps the subject to relax, enjoy a "free" day, and build up the drive/dedication to bust ass the other 6 days of the week. Taking away this enjoyment often times leads those people to fall totally off the dietary program and simply give up. So, if one cheat day all out per week is what it takes to mentally keep them on track, while they can still progress (I make sure of that) , I believe it's actually an invaluable tool to have.

Matter of fact, today is my cheat day and I'm having Tequila, home-made Mexican style cheese enchiladas w/fried potatoes, chicken, etc. I may even eat more crap later today. Does it hurt me? Not at all, as I need this "shock", and the ability to let go as well, it reduces cortisol from stress. I'll still be as lean/strong/mean as ever come manana, and it's business all over again.

So, all in all, if you can allow clients crap food one day per week all out, trust me, you'll gain lots of clients.

~SC~

I constantly see references to cheat meals on this board and others. Regular posters on this board, and others, tell people that the cheat meal is a good thing and will shock their body in a positive way. My belief is that people who advise this are simply attempting to justify their inability to control their own eating. If you want to do it then do it but don't advise others that it's good for you. Since when is eating processed, fatty, crappy foods a good thing?

If you're interested in shocking your body, eat a greater amount of quality foods for a meal occasionally. I haven't cheated on my diet in nearly 3 years and have made great progress. I'm not saying you should be as dedicated as I have been. Do it yourself if you want to but don't give out advice that eating highly processed foods once a week is a good thing.

 

[NJRipped]

SC
I agree with you, psychologically, many people need the cheat meal. Of course, in my opinion, this is why ALL diets eventually fail. What I mean by "fail" is that eventually they will become fat again.

So, how can they succeed? Well I happen to be writing a book about it. Basically it trains one how to break food addiction to the point that you don't miss/want the "bad" foods. I have zero desire for pizza/big macs, etc. IMO, the only way to overcome the obesity problem in the US is to break the addiction to food. What else could possibly work other than a miracle pill or Thermoxon. lol

I wouldn't say "myth", as that would be something that all would agree on, and that is common knowledge. Not the case here, it's just opinion about a cheat day.

In all of my training/counseling experience (tons), I've found that if one's dietary plan of attack is sterling in nature, one all out cheat meal or day per week (dependent upon the subject) is not only good for the metabolism and leptin levels, but also for psychological/relaxation reasons.

The simple fact is that the majority of those I assist who are over-weight NEED this cheat day per week for MENTAL reasons, as well as physical. Having this "free" day per week not only helps metabolism, but helps the subject to relax, enjoy a "free" day, and build up the drive/dedication to bust ass the other 6 days of the week. Taking away this enjoyment often times leads those people to fall totally off the dietary program and simply give up. So, if one cheat day all out per week is what it takes to mentally keep them on track, while they can still progress (I make sure of that) , I believe it's actually an invaluable tool to have.

Matter of fact, today is my cheat day and I'm having Tequila, home-made Mexican style cheese enchiladas w/fried potatoes, chicken, etc. I may even eat more crap later today. Does it hurt me? Not at all, as I need this "shock", and the ability to let go as well, it reduces cortisol from stress. I'll still be as lean/strong/mean as ever come manana, and it's business all over again.

So, all in all, if you can allow clients crap food one day per week all out, trust me, you'll gain lots of clients.

~SC~

 

[TRUEsoldier]

I understand the psychological needs, dont really know about the physical needs. But damn do I appreciate the needs of appreciating good foods once in awhile. Now I do belive that while you are trying to attain your goal, that you have to be alot more dedicated to the diet, and cheat meals should not be as often. But I belive once you get to your goal, then one cheat meal a week can not do that much damage to you! But who knows maybe one day they will develop some "condiment" that you can put on your food that has no taste, and that enables your body to only utilze the good and dispose of the bad!!! LOL talk about a dream

 

[NJRipped]

Hey, I'm living that dream (except the part about the great tasting foods). lol You know how many times I've been sick since eating perfectly clean for the last 3 years - NONE. I work out each bodypart one time per week with only two sets and never have I been in better shape in my life. Everyone deprives themselves of food to some extent - why not go all the way.

But who knows maybe one day they will develop some "condiment" that you can put on your food that has no taste, and that enables your body to only utilze the good and dispose of the bad!!! LOL talk about a dream

 

[Synpax]

One of the advantages of the strict, EF hard core person diet is that when you eat a 'real' meal you can enjoy it more than someone who eats that stuff daily (pizza, fried chicken, a particular desert, etc.)

 

[KWKSLVR]

One of the advantages of the strict, EF hard core person diet is that when you eat a 'real' meal you can enjoy it more than someone who eats that stuff daily (pizza, fried chicken, a particular desert, etc.)

That I can definately agree with.

I like a slice of pizza (or the entire pie) every so often. I don't like feeling bloated and unable to fit my fat ass into my jeans the next day. Hell, this afternoon I worked out, took my PWO ALA/Dextrose/Protein shake and then for dinner I had some ALA and 100% whole wheat durum flour wheat pasta mixed in with a marinated and seasoned chicken breast with a dash of "Carb Options" sause (80 cals ain't bad). In my simple world, that was a good meal. I little lacking the vegtable department and could stand to lose a little out of the starch department but it sure beats a #4 from McDonalds

 

[nicky007]

I think that the cheat meal mentality can wreak more havoc physicologically than it can help. For often what happens after a cheat meal is that the next day we crave some more bad stuff. If we are successful the day after, then after another 48 hours we may get the craving again and this I believe is due to the fact that we remember the taste of the "bad food". We have to understand what happens physiologically when we take in high fat sugary foods. Our insulin spikes and with it we experience a sense of euphoria (thats what I call it). The process food gives us a high!

Hence the next day we feel a bit down (its not just the guilt but the fact that our insulin levels crash so rapidly). We are also bloated because our bodies hold onto water to counteract the fact that the ph in our bodies is now very acidic (from the junk).

This does not mean that a cheat meal or even a couple of consecutive cheat days have no benefit. yes, they can and do speed up wait loss in that they sshock ones system. But the overall net weightloss can be undermined if one gives into subsequent cravings. And the cumulative effect of binges can blunt ones insulin response, making them more susceptible to becoming insulin resistant in the future. Something nobody would want.