Having a lot to eat, will give added strength (5)
I believe the answer is:
cleat
'added strength' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.
'having a lot to eat will give' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' is found in the answer.
'lot' could be 'c' and 'c' is present in the answer.
'give' could be 'let' (letting is a kind of giving) and 'let' is found within the remaining letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cleat that I've seen before include "Device on which to secure a rope" , "One to fasten rope to" , "Strip used to strengthen a surface to which it is attached" , "Support" , "Projection for a rope on a boat" .)