When planning our diet is often that we introduce a day of food cheating or cheat meal or a refeed. But what difference does it make to these two concepts? Both are to modify our diet at a specific time and both have psychological benefits; However, the way of posing them is very different.

We give you the keys to know the differences between refeed and food trap, so that you know how each one of them affects us and so that you can choose which is the best that you agree when reaching your objectives.

The main difference between these two concepts can be summarized in that in the refeed the amount of food to be consumed and its macros are totally planned, while the cheat meal or cheat meal allows you to eat what you want for a specific period of time without Having to think about macronutrients or calories. But, obviously, neither its purpose is the same nor its effects are the same.

The refeed or charge of hydrates

The refeeds are based on a high intake of carbohydrates whose purpose is to increase leptin, a hormone related to appetite, and recharge glycogen stores, among others. For this, high intakes of carbohydrates ( usually within the framework of a low calorie diet or of definition) of different duration, which can range from a few hours to a few days, depending on the needs of the athlete. It also depends on the type of training you do, of course.

During a refeed increase the amount of carbohydrates, which are usually medium or high glycemic index, while maintaining stable amount of fat and protein. In this way, the fat burning continues to be promoted, as well as having a positive psychological effect on the athlete (following a strict diet can sometimes be tiring).

Cheat meal

The food cheat or cheat meal, however, is not planned. It is performed, as a rule, once a week, although it is not mandatory, and simply brings us psychological benefits. It is usually planned so that it coincides with an afternoon or evening in which we go out to eat outside the house, so that we do not have to be measuring quantities or macros.

The danger of cheat meal for some people is that, not being fully planned, we can get out of hand, so it is interesting to at least limit the hours we are going to do. It would not be the first time a cheat meal becomes a “cheat day”.

Also keep in mind that making a cheat meal does not have to mean putting us to the ears of junk food : it may simply consist of eating what does not enter into your macros the rest of the week.

Tell us in the comments, what do you usually eat when you make a refeed or cheat food?