The Great Debates – Part IV – Cheat Meals
February 1, 2009 by Admin: Joe Hashey, CSCS
Filed under Strength Training Debates, Workout Nutrition
We have had two serious debates in a row, so its time for a lighter one. Everyone can get their opinion heard on this one. The debate will be Cheat Meal vs Cheat Dessert – What Would You Rather Have? But first here is an article exceprt from Mighty Body for those people that aren’t familar with the concept of a “cheat meal.”
“Strict dieting can cause many psychological problems such as headaches, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and wanting to be unsocial. Marta Meana Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas states, “When you cut back on sugar, you`re experiencing a decrease in brain chemicals, such as serotonin and endorphins, that make you feel good. If you`re feeling a severe drop in mood, you`re probably restricting too much, too fast.” You may also be out with a couple of friends one night and they say, “Hey, do you want a beer,” or the best one yet, “How about a piece of pizza.” On special occasions like these or when you feel that you need a treat from the past few weeks of dieting, then cheating is okay. Just don`t make a habit out of it.”
Essentially it gets your head right and helps prevent people from yo-yo dieting – eating too little, then bouncing back to eat too much.
First, the debate – Would you rather have a cheat meal or a cheat dessert – you only can choose one!
Cheat Dessert
Cheat Meal
Then what’s your ideal cheat meal or dessert?
MY OPINION – Hands down a cheat meal. I have a lot of favorites – wings, buffalo chicken sandwich, pizza etc. I don’t really crave the sugary foods that much. To play by the rules, I’ll choose just one – Buffalo Chicken Pizza from Rossi’s Pizzeria. And now I’m hungry…
PS. Did anyone see the Wheel of Fortune about 10 years ago where the answer to the puzzle (and all the letters were shown except 1 or 2) “The World’s Largest Desert” but the person guessed “The World’s Largest Dessert”? Bonus points for who ever finds that video!
Check out previous great debates:
- Crossfit vs. Conventional Training
- Olympic Lifting vs Other Styles
- Training Failures – Falling while Squating vs Getting pinned on the Bench
-J. HASHEY, CSCS-
BBQ Chicken, Pineapple Pizza from Murray’s Deli.
I don’t really believe in restrictive dieting … I eat whatever I want, whenever I want (which happens to be nutritious food in roughly the ‘right’ quantities).
That being said, on Friday’s I skip my normal type of dinner and have a block of dark chocolate and milk (whilst watching the A-Team or Monkey Magic) … so I suppose that’d be classed as a cheat meal, yes?
I’ve never heard of Monkey Magic, but I have a deep respect for the A team! I’d say a block of chocolate for dinner constitutes as a cheat! Agreed with the responsible eating most of the time.
When it’s time to cheat, I go all the way baby! Pizza Hut stuffed crust with hamburger and pineapple. Then finish it off with some Americone Dream ice cream. That is how it’s done!