What happens if you cheat on atkins

Although early studies at Harvard have shown that calorie control isn't as crucial to Atkins as it is to other diets, it still matters. And it's easy to overindulge on Atkins's own high-calorie sweet treats. Even the bread and butter of the Atkins diet--meat--can cause weight gain if dieters don't exercise restraint.

So what's a dieter to do? For some, the answer is renewed vigilance and more emphasis on Atkins-friendly fruits and veggies. For others, traditional programs might work better.

Certainly, it's clear that Atkins isn't as easy as last year's hype suggested. Since leaving Atkins for, respectively, Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig--which focus more on portion control than eliminating food categories--Fish and Gubic have each lost 30 pounds. Newsweek magazine delivered to your door Unlimited access to Newsweek. Unlimited access to Newsweek.

One day of messing up does not mean that you cannot successfully complete the program. The whole point of any weight-loss program is less about the actual pounds you drop and more about teaching you a new way of eating so that you can keep the weight off for the rest of your life.

Do not dwell on your mistake, because everybody makes them. Simply get back on the plan and keep going. If you have fallen off your diet and are worried that it might happen again, one way to prevent this is to plan a day when you can relax the rules a bit. Knowing that you have some treats coming to you may help you resist them on a normal dieting day. Planning for your cheat day can also help ensure that you don't get too far off track.

A cheat day does not have to mean a wild orgy of unhealthy eating. Doing so will not only make you feel especially guilty, but it can upset your digestion, making you feel physically ill as well. The best way to handle out of control cravings, according to the fitness experts at Odyssey Online , is to do an Atkins cheat meal instead of an entire day.

Stock up on your cheat meal supplies before the big day so that you will not be tempted to run wild in the grocery store, or at least make a grocery list and stick to it. Another option is to see if your local supermarket has a pickup or delivery service so that you don't have to walk past the bakery or the chip aisle. Do the best you can to avoid overly processed, sugary foods and instead allow yourself to have extra fruit, even it requires a small scoop of ice cream on top to feel like a treat.

Or look for sugar-free options in candy, ice cream and whipped toppings. This is also a good time to try spiralized zoodles or whole-wheat or chickpea pasta rather than running straight to the refined-wheat kind that has a high GI.

Because success with Atkins depends on being in ketosis, the faster you get back on the plan, the sooner you will see results. The first step in recovering after a binge, according to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, is to hydrate. Drink as much water as you can to help your liver and kidneys flush out all of the extra salt and sugar you took in during your binge. This will also make you feel better, especially if alcohol was part of your party. Planning ahead for regular diet days can also help keep you on track.

The less time you spend in the grocery store and the easier it is to make food for yourself, the less tempted you will be by those aisles in the center of the grocery store and the drive-thrus you pass on your travels. If you crave candy bars, keep a supply of Atkins bars stashed in your purse or ready to be tucked into your pocket with your wallet, phone and keys. Keep some in your car and at your desk. Pile some in a bowl next to your TV chair, so you will be less inclined to head to the kitchen for a snack.

By Brynne Chandler Updated March 13, Jill Corleone is a registered dietitian with more than 20 years of experience. Brynne Chandler. Brynne Chandler is an avid runner, swimmer and occasional weight-lifter who fell in love with all things fitness related while writing TV Animation in Los Angeles. Her passion for healthy living and fascination with nutrition led to taking classes at the University of California Northridge, working with chefs, caterers and inspired her second career writing non-fiction and instructional articles.

Our Carb Nite Solution menus average 30 grams of carbs daily. Between 6 p. The only thing off limits: fruit juice and sugary drinks. On the morning of day five, resume eating a low-carb diet. For example, if you have carbs on Friday, your next carb indulgence should be no sooner than Wednesday.

While using this approach, drink water and any zero-cal beverages you like. Jazz up meals with ultra-low-carb extras spices, vinegar, or Splenda. Option 1: 3 oz. Option 2: 3 oz. Option 3: 3 oz. Option 1: 5 oz. Option 2: 6 oz. Option 3: 6 oz. On low-carb days, simply use nutrition labels to stay under 30 grams of carbs daily.