Q:
Gina,
I work with male bodybuilder’s and their diets consist of one cheat meal a week. Their always saying to me, well you get a cheat meal right? How do you feel about cheat meals? For me an ounce of dark chocolate or an extra meal of oatmeal with peanut butter would be a cheat meal. I know they mean an actual meal of something high in carbs and not at all on my meal plan, like a hamburger or piece of pie.
A:
gina aliotti
Administrator
I completely agree with cheat meals!! I actually refer to them as “refuel meals” as they are not always cheating but refueling your glycogen stores, body and mind! Not only are they good for you physically but mentally also! Everyone is different and has their favorite foods they enjoy and crave. If it is someones favorite to have a burger or a pizza, that is their cheat. If someone loves their healthy food just wants more of it, that could be a cheat. Cheat meals do not always have to be off the diet foods. They could just consist of higher calories. I Know when Michael is slimming down and watching is diet, he craves cheese so a big Cheeseburger does it for him. A nice juicy steak and potato tends to be a great “cheat” meal. For me a perfect cheat is sushi, red wine and a frozen yogurt. I also love my peanut butter and oats. A great cheat could just be more of those. So for example a tbsp of peanut butter is usually what we get in a meal but in a cheat I may have a 1/4 c. or so with oats or on my frozen yogurt. I tend to love my clean foods but go more for the calorie load than the crazy foods. Our bodies function so well on clean foods that sometimes when we put foods our bodies are not use to in our systems, they don’t do so hot. Really a “refuel” meal can consist of whatever that person desires. It may be a large bowl of pasta or if they have a sweet tooth a piece of pie… I definitely would allow for them and insert them into the program!
They also tend to help people stay on track because they realize they can still enjoy life and have their favorite meal. It is also incentive to push through their program doing the week so they can enjoy their meal. Everyone is different though so remember that. Some people need them and some don’t. Some people need a big bowl of pasta and others a bite of chocolate… It just depends. Great question!
FYI-I have a Q&A section of My Blogg… I will post some of the q&a’s there as well, for everyone to see.