We all look forward to that one meal we get to have at the end of the week that satisfies those cravings.
But why have a cheat meal when you can incorporate healthier versions of your favourite meals into your weekly diet?
With this approach, you’ll no longer have to wait for the end of the week to enjoy your ‘cheat meal’. Instead, you can enjoy a more sustainable way of ‘dieting’ and avoid those pesky cravings.
Here are 5 healthified cheat meal faves:
Pizza
Everyone loves pizza but, unfortunately, pizza isn’t a great regular meal when trying to lose weight. Don’t worry, though, we’ve got you! Why not make your very own healthier version using wraps, a sugar-free tomato base, and a smaller portion of cheese or cottage cheese, with toppings of your choice! You’ll still need to watch what toppings you use to keep the calories in check. Otherwise, this wrap-pizza will curb your cravings without being a ‘cheat meal’.
Milkshake
Cravings for a tall, creamy, milkshake tend to increase in lock-step with rising summer temperatures. Often, just one milkshake can put you way over budget in terms of calories, and often leaves your stomach aching. Why not blend some ice with some of your fave protein powder, some fruit (berries, banana, dates), nut butter, and some plant-based milk to make your very own ‘healthified’ milkshake?
Brownies
Chocolatey, gooey, sticky brownies… is there anything better? YUP! You can sub a lot of your original brownie ingredients for healthier alternatives to create a ‘healthified’ brownie you can enjoy on the reg, instead of having to wait for cheat day. Swap the sugar, flour, butter, and milk for dates or stevia, coconut flour, coconut oil, and unsweetened almond milk! You can also make the most delicious brownies from the most unlikely ingredients like these no-bake chocolate brownies from Lisa Raleigh.
Burger and chips
Juicy, cheesy, saucy burgers with a side of golden fries are the perfect cheat meal to end off the week. But with just a few subs here and there, you won’t have to wait till Friday to enjoy this popular indulgence. Sub out your burger roll for portobello mushrooms, go easy on the sauce and cheese, and choose to have one burger patty rather than two. As for those golden fries, sub them with a smaller portion of baked sweet potato fries or some baked zucchini fries.
Big ol’ bowl of ‘spag bol’
Pasta is always a go-to cheat meal when you’ve been dieting down. However, you don’t have to cut the pasta out completely to still lose weight. Make your spaghetti sauce at home using less oil, leaner mince, and sugar-free ingredients. Use a whole wheat spaghetti pasta or sub the pasta with zucchini or cauliflower veggie noodles to make this the perfect any-time, diet-approved lunch or dinner meal.
Author: Logan Leigh Rix
Logan blends her passion and profession by working as a digital and social media marketer and content creator in the fitness, health and wellness industry. She’s also a personal trainer, former Face of Fitness finalist and Fitness Magazine featured athlete.
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