Cheat Meals

Definition

Cheat meals are pre-planned meals that allow for more indulgence than the typical diet, often used as a reward while following a weight-loss regimen.

Scientific / Technical Definition

Cheat meals are strategically planned deviations within dietary plans, usually employed in weight management and weight-loss strategies. They involve consuming foods that are not typically allowed in a strict diet plan, with the intention of boosting psychological motivation and potentially resetting metabolic rates.

Benefits

• Provide a mental break from dieting, which can improve overall adherence to a dietary plan.
• May temporarily increase levels of certain hormones like leptin, which can influence appetite and metabolism.
• Can offer a chance to enjoy social events or cultural foods without dietary restrictions.

Examples

• Having a slice of pizza or a serving of cake after a week of dieting.
• Eating out at a favorite restaurant and enjoying a full course meal.
• A scheduled dessert or snack that is not calorie-counted.

Additional Information

• Effects: Regular incorporation of cheat meals in a diet can potentially reinforce the feeling of reward, which could maintain motivation, and alter metabolic responses by temporarily increasing calorie intake, which might prevent metabolic slowdown.

Related Terms

• Metabolic Rate
• Caloric Deficit
• Diet Plateau
• Weight Cycling
• Food Reward System

References

• Psychological and physiological mechanisms of diet adherence
• Hormonal responses to overfeeding