Hi lovelies,
Cheat meals are a great way to reward yourself for hitting your fitness goals and staying on track with your training regime. Not only do they give you something to look forward to, but they can also help prevent diet fatigue and the temptation of falling off the wagon altogether. But that doesn’t mean you have to trade nutrition for flavour.
There are plenty of cheat meals that won’t make you feel guilty about indulging or sacrificing your health in the process. Here are five cheat meal ideas that will hit all the right spots without sending waves of guilt through your system.
1. Pizza Bites
Who doesn’t love pizza? Fortunately, there is a healthier way to enjoy it without compromising taste. Start by baking whole wheat English muffins with a pizza sauce of your choice. Top them off with cheese and any other toppings you’d like before putting them back in the oven to bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Voilà! You’ll have a delicious pizza bite that won’t leave you feeling bloated or full of regret.
2. “Fried” Chicken Strips
Craving something fried? No problem! All it takes is two simple ingredients - panko bread crumbs and grated parmesan cheese - to make this healthier version of fried chicken strips. Simply mix together the panko and parmesan, dip chicken strips into an egg mixture, then the panko mixture, and bake until golden brown. Serve with a side of roasted veggies or a Greek yoghurt dip for added nutrition.
3. French Toast And Muffins
For a sweet cheat meal, try this French toast and muffin combo. Start by setting out two slices of whole wheat bread and drenching them in an egg mixture with a dash of nutmeg. Let the mixture soak in while you prepare pre-made banana or this blueberry muffin recipe. Place soaked bread onto the heated skillet, let cook until lightly browned on both sides, then serve along with the freshly made muffins for a delicious carb-filled treat!
4. Loaded Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries are one of the healthiest alternatives to traditional French fries. To make them even healthier but still delicious, top your sweet potatoes off with cheese, diced peppers and onions, minced garlic, and other tasty toppings of your choice before popping them in the oven to bake. Not only will you be getting all the nutritional benefits from sweet potatoes themselves but also from all the additional ingredients you add.
5. Guilt-Free Ice Cream Sandwich
Nothing says a cheat meal quite like an ice cream sandwich - except when it’s guilt-free. All you need is a few scoops of light ice cream wedged between two large oatmeal cookies and voila! You have yourself a delicious dessert that won’t make you feel bad about indulging.
There You Have It
Cheat meals don’t have to mean unhealthy food choices or excessive calories. With the right ingredients and some creativity, you can enjoy cheating meals while still staying on track with your health and fitness goals. So next time you’re feeling like rewarding yourself for hitting your milestones, try out one of these five cheat meal ideas without sacrificing your health in the process. Enjoy!