Calling all Nutrition Specialists - Science Of Cheat Days?

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ironhajee
ironhajee Posts: 384 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hello to my esteemed MFP community!

Thank you for joining this discussion - the purpose today is to learn the science behind various types of "cheat" days. I would like to be educated on why some athletes have cheat days..

I would like to keep this thread as "SCIENTIFIC" as possible but not too scientific :) Meaning, what if any, adaptions/changes occur in the body during these "cheats" However all insight and opinions are welcome to participate!

SO without further delay lets discuss an extreme case.... I recently observed a video on YOUTUBE. In this video titled "Competitive Eater 20, 000 Calorie Challenge". This young male (20-30s) has several videos in which he performs food challenges where caloric intake exceeds 15,000 - 20,000 calories in the span of one day. The foods ingested range from donuts, oreo cakes, massive plates of BBQ ribs and essentially anything with high caloric value. This individual and many others post these "Food Challenges" on YOUTUBE and it has sparked my curiosity. Let's assume they are athletes who can burn enough calories through busy training schedules (very active) and are extrememly fit. Aside, from these "challenges" these particular individuals follow a healthy and balanced diet with the exception of these days.

So what is the "science" behind this in relation to this particular case.


On a separate note, lets also discuss a not so extreme case of cheat days that doesn't involve such a massive caloric intake? What are the benefits if any? What is the science behind a regular cheat day?

Anyway thanks for reading and I look forward to any insight that you can offer to further understand our bodies and their complexities.

Cheers!
:)

Replies

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
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    You may want to put this in the new "Nutrition Debates" section, as that seems to be the type of conversation that you want. :)
  • peaceout_aly
    peaceout_aly Posts: 2,018 Member
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    Following - seems like this will be interesting
  • ironhajee
    ironhajee Posts: 384 Member
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    janejellyroll wrote: »
    You may want to put this in the new "Nutrition Debates" section, as that seems to be the type of conversation that you want. :)

    LOL I didn't even know that category exists. Oh well its here now. Is what it is.

    I've done some research and most of what I gather is that cheat days in fact can act as a metabolism boost as well as mainly providing a mental boost to most individuals. It seems by eating, "cheat foods" leaves an individual more "happy" and "motivated" along with topping up glycogen stores for the next workouts to come.

    Does this sound correct?

    I still am perplexed by these 15000 + calorie FOOD CHALLENGES and yearn to understand the science behind this

    :)
  • GsKiki
    GsKiki Posts: 392 Member
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    Cheat days work for some people, not so well for others. For those that it does work it kind of shocks the body, because it's not used to processing that type or amount of food. The effects are usually not long tho. And there are certain rules you need to follow.
    I personally would never recommend cheat days, for me it just caused more cravings. I work much better with balanced meals, eating what I want but careful about how much and when.
    As far as Youtube challenges goes, there is no science. The tag started trending, and people do it to get more views = more money if they monetize. I still haven't heard of an athlete doing 15000-20000kcal because of a scientific reason. They probably just binge because they restrict them selves too much on a daily basis, and film it to make some money.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
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    peaceout_aly wrote: »
    Following - seems like this will be interesting

    Me too.

    I often read how people experience a whoosh of weight loss after having a higher calorie day. I just can't wrap my head around the how and why...

    As for 15000-20000 calories.. I would struggle eating that much in 3-4 days let a lone in one day! Obviously an ulterior motive behind these guys posting it on you tube, there are zero health and weight loss reasons to eat that much in one day. None that I can think of anyway.
  • Wetcoaster
    Wetcoaster Posts: 1,788 Member
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    http://www.leangains.com/2010/11/cheat-day-strategies-for-hedonist.html

    skvifxufiizb.jpg
    i.jpg 52.7K
  • Wetcoaster
    Wetcoaster Posts: 1,788 Member
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    Rules and suggestions for Re-feed days per Layne Norton:

    For those who are below 10%, it is probably a wise idea to incorporate re-feeds two times per week. For those people who are in the 10-15% range, re-feeding every 6-12 days will probably be adequate, for those who are above 15%, re-feeding will probably not need to be done more than once every week to two weeks. Obviously as one loses body fat they will need to re-feed more often.

    •Re-feed on the day you work your worst body part(s) as re-feeding will not only raise leptin, but be quite anabolic.

    •Keep fat as low as possible during re-feed days as high insulin levels will increase dietary fat transport into adipose tissue. In addition dietary fat has little to no impact on leptin levels.

    •Reduce protein intake to 1 g/lb bodyweight.

    •Consume as little fructose as possible as fructose does not have an impact on leptin levels.

  • Wetcoaster
    Wetcoaster Posts: 1,788 Member
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    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/5-ways-cheat-meals-can-improve-your-body.html
  • ironhajee
    ironhajee Posts: 384 Member
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    GsKiki wrote: »
    Cheat days work for some people, not so well for others. For those that it does work it kind of shocks the body, because it's not used to processing that type or amount of food. The effects are usually not long tho. And there are certain rules you need to follow.
    I personally would never recommend cheat days, for me it just caused more cravings. I work much better with balanced meals, eating what I want but careful about how much and when.
    As far as Youtube challenges goes, there is no science. The tag started trending, and people do it to get more views = more money if they monetize. I still haven't heard of an athlete doing 15000-20000kcal because of a scientific reason. They probably just binge because they restrict them selves too much on a daily basis, and film it to make some money.

    Very interesting. Thanks for your feedback @GsKiki
  • robingmurphy
    robingmurphy Posts: 349 Member
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    My understanding is that any weight lost after a "cheat day" or refeed day is just water weight. Why do I care about that? I'd rather continue in a deficit. I also find "cheat days" psychologically demoralizing because it's hard to get back into the swing of dieting happily after it for me.

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/01/how-to-deal-with-water-retention-part.html
  • ironhajee
    ironhajee Posts: 384 Member
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    Wetcoaster wrote: »
    http://www.leangains.com/2010/11/cheat-day-strategies-for-hedonist.html

    skvifxufiizb.jpg

    This was very helpful insight into cheat days and the science behind them!

    Thanks for sharing this wealth of knowledge!!!

    :):):)
  • ironhajee
    ironhajee Posts: 384 Member
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    Wetcoaster wrote: »
    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/5-ways-cheat-meals-can-improve-your-body.html

    More great Information @Wetcoaster Thank you very much for the direction

    :) I now have a better understanding of cheat meals and why some athletes choose to do them!

    In the case of the 150000+ food challenge I remain perplexed.
  • ironhajee
    ironhajee Posts: 384 Member
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    Christine_72 wrote: »
    peaceout_aly wrote: »
    Following - seems like this will be interesting

    Me too.

    I often read how people experience a whoosh of weight loss after having a higher calorie day. I just can't wrap my head around the how and why...

    As for 15000-20000 calories.. I would struggle eating that much in 3-4 days let a lone in one day! Obviously an ulterior motive behind these guys posting it on you tube, there are zero health and weight loss reasons to eat that much in one day. None that I can think of anyway.

    LOL! Agreed @Christine_72
  • ironhajee
    ironhajee Posts: 384 Member
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    robingmurphy wrote: »
    My understanding is that any weight lost after a "cheat day" or refeed day is just water weight. Why do I care about that? I'd rather continue in a deficit. I also find "cheat days" psychologically demoralizing because it's hard to get back into the swing of dieting happily after it for me.

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/01/how-to-deal-with-water-retention-part.html

    Thank you!! :)

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