What's the Truth About Cheat Days During Healthy Weight Loss Diets?

This viewer wanted to know how cheat days are actually related to healthy weight loss diets.  Are they detrimental or necessary?

Question:

What about "cheat (or treat) days"?  I've heard a lot about them lately, but don't they just add to the amount of fat you already have to lose???  For a "diet" to really work do you have to have those cheat days?

Answer:

It depends on what type of diet you are following.  If the program you are following includes calorie or nutrient restrictions at various points throughout the program then yes a cheat day should be included because this allows your body to refill its leptin levels.  Leptin is a key hormone to losing weight and you don’t want it to get too low or your fat loss will come to a halt.  Calorie restrictions will cause leptin levels to drop so you would want a cheat day mixed into this healthy weight loss diet to refill your leptin levels.

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