A cheat meal is a single, planned indulgence within your regular diet, while a cheat day involves breaking your diet rules for the entire day, allowing for multiple indulgent meals and snacks, making cheat days significantly higher in calories and potentially more detrimental to weight loss goals than a single meal. The key difference lies in duration and caloric impact: one meal versus a full day of less nutritious choices, with many experts recommending cheat meals for better control and minimal disruption.
If you're trying to Lose Weight: A Cheat Meal is the safer option, as it's less likely to derail your progress. If you're in Maintenance or Bulking Mode: A Cheat Day can be a fun and effective way to reset. If you struggle with Self-Control: A Cheat Meal might work better to prevent overeating.
A cheat day causes some large weight increases, but weight because of water, not fat. Depending on what kind of diet you were on, loading up on carbs on a cheat day can increase your weight noticeably. If you were trying to lose fat, you likely were trying to cut carbohydrates out of your diet.
What is a cheat meal? “Cheat meals” are meals that contain foods that aren't on your current diet plan or are considered indulgent with a calorie count that would throw off your plan. But the idea that a cheat meal includes unhealthy foods (like a fast-food burger or milkshake) isn't always the case.
Dr. Sean Kandel, a board-certified internal medicine doctor, recommends one or two cheat meals per week for healthy individuals. Suppose a person struggles to control their cravings throughout the week. In that case, he suggests swapping cheat meals for extra servings of your go-to healthy foods.
A single cheat day won't ruin your weight loss results, but multiple uncontrolled cheat days can have an impact. Don't see them as a chance to lose all self-control and binge eat. These actions can lead to serious food guilt and weight loss setbacks. It is important to do them in moderation.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
Healthy Cheat Meals
The 2-2-2 weight loss method is a simple strategy focusing on 2 big bottles of water, 2 servings of fruits/veggies, and 2 daily walks, promoting hydration, nutrient intake, and activity to kickstart weight loss, energy, and better sleep, acting as a foundation for healthier habits rather than a complete diet plan. It's easy to follow and encourages movement and nutrient-dense foods but doesn't cover total calorie intake or macronutrients, requiring it to be complemented with a holistic plan for sustainable results.
Though it can feel stressful and sometimes physically uncomfortable to overeat, one instance of overeating is unlikely to negate your weight loss progress. In fact, one small study found that even when eating 1,500 extra calories for three days, participants did not gain fat mass.
6 Ways To Get Back on Track After a Cheat
You Might Be Eating Too Little
This phenomenon is called “starvation mode,” and while your body isn't actually starving, it will naturally hold onto whatever calories it receives in an effort to help you maintain your energy balance.
Fluid retention
The amount of fluid in your body changes throughout the day. It's totally normal for your weight to change up to four pounds in a single day, based on your fluid levels. Fluid retention, or edema, is when a lot of fluid builds up in the body. This can cause a sudden weight gain of 15 or more pounds.
Although it's more common to skip breakfast or dinner, some people prefer to fast during the mid-day and skip lunch. There are not a lot of scientific studies on skipping lunch, but one research study revealed that skipping lunch and breakfast lowered total diet quality more than skipping dinner did [3].
Cheat meals don't boost metabolism enough
Yes, your body burns a few extra calories digesting a big meal. But no, it doesn't come close to offsetting the intake. “There is a temporary increase in metabolic rate, but it's small compared to the large influx of calories,” he explained.
A cheat meal consists of a single meal where you allow yourself to eat foods that are usually restricted or limited within a diet plan. This might include foods high in calories, carbohydrates, or fats, such as pizza, burgers, pasta, or sugary desserts.
Adele's significant weight loss wasn't from a quick fix but a two-year journey combining intense strength training, Pilates, hiking, boxing, and cardio, alongside major lifestyle changes focused on managing anxiety, not restrictive diets like the Sirtfood Diet, with workouts happening multiple times daily for mental and physical strength. Her routine included morning weights, afternoon hikes or boxing, and evening cardio, emphasizing getting stronger, which naturally led to fat loss and improved well-being.
You should step on the scale first thing in the morning. That's when you'll get your most accurate weight because your body has had the overnight hours to digest and process whatever you ate and drank the day before. And you should try to turn that step into a regular part of your routine.
Simplifying The 7 Days Diet Plan For Weight Loss:
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
Worst choice cheat day meals
Aim to avoid foods such as pizza, burger and chips from a fast food chain or Chinese takeaway. These meals are often easy to overeat and will most likely take you well over your recommended calories.
Your 14-day weight-loss plan
Some of the ways she's lost weight include walking, eating more protein, and medication to help with how her body processes food. Clarkson started some of these changes to her diet and exercise routines when she moved to New York City, where she hosts "The Kelly Clarkson Show."
According to fitness coach Raj Ganpath, losing 10 kg in 2-3 months is possible but highly unsustainable. He explains that to achieve this, you need a daily calorie deficit of about 1,300, which is extremely difficult to maintain.
Her diet included meals like vegetable poha, fruit, roti, and grilled chicken. Alia trained with Yasmin Karachiwala, blending Pilates, cardio, and strength exercises. Her 7-day routine included running, push-ups, yoga, squats, and crunches to tone and lose weight.