The Importance of Cheat Day
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For some of us, the only thing that keeps us going through long phases of a highly restrictive diet is the sublime promise of a satisfying cheat day! We wouldn’t be surprised if most of us count down the days and even the hours until we can give in to the nastiest of our cravings.
And for others, it may be revolting to even imagine eating pizza throughout their dieting week/s, but when that wonderful day comes when nothing is off-limits; they can devour a whole pizza and a decadent desert without so much as a hint of remorse.
The value a healthy individual gets from a naughty meal every once in while goes far beyond the pleasure of letting go of limitations and satiating their taste buds. Studies have shown that a ‘not too regular, but frequent enough’ cheat meal can increase metabolism and even leptin production.
Leptin is the hormone that allows you to maintain a steady bodyweight and to feel satiated. It’s actually produced by the fat cells in your body, which at least gives body fat one more benefit in addition to its minimal other perks like providing warmth and protection for our organs.
Despite any contradicting evidence or feelings, having a high-calorie, low nutrient blowout brings at least enough benefits to the body to convince any sane person to indulge every now and then. Though there are boundaries to the science behind it all, considering how difficult it is to create a controlled nutritional study, most experienced athletes and people with a fitness focused lifestyle agree that it is worth cheating on your diet at most once a week.
Yet, if not for the body, then at least you may give your mind a break from the obsessive nature of measuring every single snack. The most advantages that come with a misbehaved bite, are rooted in the mental-emotional aspects of being human. If you cannot get yourself to believe that there are any physical profits to be gained for your body’s well-being, think of it as a method essential for your mental health.
Psychologists recommend spoiling yourself with a tempting treat to diminish any sensations of deprivation. The reason we workout, supplement, fast and diet is because we want the most out of life; but when our system becomes too constrained, we may be left feeling lethargic. No amount of exercise, protein shakes or broccoli and chicken can create a secure sense of satisfaction if you’ve been depleting the craved pleasurable perks of life.
Sometimes it’s a little sad to admit that we yearn for things we know our bodies weren’t made for, but we can’t exactly undo millennia of evolution and jump back into eating only what we’ve cultivated or hunted for ourselves. It brings us joy to hunt for that scrumptious snack that will hit our sweet spot and keep us happy for days afterwards.
Because even healthy humans may have their burger, milkshake and even eat their cake too!
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