What is a Cheat Meal?
The idea that a cheat meal means eating anything during a set period of time. Cheating is making a calculated decision to eat specific things normally avoided for health reasons (like fructose to prevent a glucose spike, caffeine to boost energy, and so on).
While having a cheat meal can be beneficial, you don’t want to overdo it. Until you get the hang of your bodies response I recommend that you have a SINGLE cheat meal every week. In the very beginning when you first start your diet, wait two weeks before having your first cheat meal.
Cheat meals are beneficial in multiple ways such as allowing you to satisfy cravings and give you a chance live a little, but they shouldn’t turn into cheat days. They also shouldn’t be a reason to eat less than you normally would at other meals. The purpose of the cheat meal is to add extra calories to your current plan.
Post workout meal:
Some people may consider pizza to be a great meal after a hard workout, but it can defeat the purpose of your hard work out. Eating the right amount of carbohydrates and proteins after a workout can speed muscle recovery and help your body refuel so that you have more energy. Here are some great choices for after your workout.
- Grilled chicken with roasted vegetables.
- Egg omelet with avocado spread on toast.
- Salmon with sweet potato.
- Tuna salad sandwich on whole grain bread.
- Tuna and crackers.
- Oatmeal, whey protein, banana and almonds.
- Cottage cheese and fruits
Just because you just had a hard workout or plan on doing cardio doesn’t mean it is ok to splurge and eat whatever you want all day. You will never see results that way. Make sure your cheat meal doesn’t turn into a cheat day. You will have a lot to make up for if it does and if you consistently eat unhealthy every day it will catch up with you no matter how high your metabolism is or how hard your workout.
Remember YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!