[not2late]

Originally Posted by Georgiana

Even during Induction, which is the most restrictive phase of Atkins, you consume carbohydrates from vegetables, eggs, avocado, cheese and cream, etc. As you move to OWL and progress through the rungs, the carbohydrate intake increases until you reach a certain level when you stop losing -- this is your CCLL. During Maintenance you will eat above your CCLL and below your CCLM to maintain your weight. For someone who is physically active, the CCLL is usually in the 60-90 g net carbs range. This leaves room for plenty of vegetables, diary, nuts, berries and other fruits, alcohol, legumes, starchier vegetables and grains -- which is basically everything that is served on holidays. What you should avoid is sugar, but there are sugar substitutes for that and plenty of wonderful low-carb recipes.

Even for people with CCLLs of 20-50, once you find your CCLL, you may proceed up the CArb Ladder to try out the different foods.

So if you stay on Induction forever, then there are no cheat days. But if you do Atkins correctly and go through all the phases, then you can "cheat" with potatoes, apples, wine, beans, etc. And if you want to have dessert, simply bring your own at the party and share it with others -- it will only make everybody happy.

But that's not even a "cheat" because those foods are perfectly legal for that Phase of Atkins.