Cheat Meals! DONT ABUSE THEM.
So cheatmeals...
Burger, chips, ice cream, cake... unfortunately not.
A cheat meal serves a purpose, they can reset hormones responsible for metabolism and insulin regulation, replenish glycogen for increased energy, and keep calorie-burning and fat-torching mechanisms high.
When dieting your on a calorie deficit diet. Put simply your burning more calories than your consuming.
This excess in food serves to replenish stores that may be lost during the weeks diet. Reset, restart, good to go again for another week!
However don't use a cheat meal as an excuse to overindulge. While you can indulge in a small, sugary treat from time to time, I recommend trying to avoid sugary, low nutrient foods that can quickly ruin a week's worth of progress.
Instead, eat a cheat meal that is still well balanced and higher in both calories and carbohydrates than your normal meal.
My ideal cheat meal, lean burger with sweet potato chips. Minimal fats and sugars, high carbs.
The last benefit which is just as important is the mental side. Cheatmeals give you something to look forward to and one thing even the healthiest of all need.... a way to SETTLING THE CRAVINGS!