Started induction but have unavoidable "cheat" nex

[Fureya]

Ok...it isn't exactly a cheat.
I'm participating in a "food study" at my university and it begins next week. I will have to "fast" for 3 hours (no big deal) and then eat a controlled meal that they will fix for me. It will be on tuesday which will be my 5th day on induction.
They didn't tell me much..but basically that it will be half a sandwich and some watermelon. I can try to eat zero carbs the rest of the day to attempt to compensate but I'm sure I will be over my limit. How will this affect my induction? Will I simply need to add a day or two to my induction period or will it be like starting over (meaning starting today was probably not the best idea)

Thanks =)

[not2late]

Originally Posted by Fureya

Ok...it isn't exactly a cheat.
I'm participating in a "food study" at my university and it begins next week. I will have to "fast" for 3 hours (no big deal) and then eat a controlled meal that they will fix for me. It will be on tuesday which will be my 5th day on induction.
They didn't tell me much..but basically that it will be half a sandwich and some watermelon. I can try to eat zero carbs the rest of the day to attempt to compensate but I'm sure I will be over my limit. How will this affect my induction? Will I simply need to add a day or two to my induction period or will it be like starting over (meaning starting today was probably not the best idea)

Thanks =)

It might be best for you to start your Induction after the food experiment. On Day 5 your system will just be kicked into fat burning. So please reconsider starting when you won't have any interruptions like this.

[not2late]

Oh yeah, I forgot to add.

Your first 2 weeks of Atkins is the first 2 weeks. You can never "add" on to those results. So, if you fall off on Day 5, the following day is Day 6. Not Day 1.

The initial 14 day period is very important. So please re-read Chapters 11 through 13 in DANDR 2002 for a more detailed explanation.

[Elizellen]

Is it a comparative food study?
Is there any way you can ask to be the 'Atkins' guinea-pig and eat an Atkins friendly meal?

[Fureya]

Well I know the sandwich part is just to give the person a neutral/bland meal. I believe its a chicken sandwich and I could ask if I could just eat the chicken.
The watermelon part is part of the study. I think its watermelon the first time and then carrot sticks the next time I go in. It involves coordination and motor skills and thats about all the detail they give us.

Basically I know that I will have to eat a food that is probably completely not allowed...I'm just wondering if maybe if it is near 20 carbs and I make that it for carbs for the day...I won't be thrown off track too much.


*edit* I have some rather near uncontrollable eating habits that I am concerned about. If I can't start til the end of the study....I just know that I'll eat really bad things until I do start thinking "last chance to eat this for a long time".

[Moochiecat]

I also suggest to wait to start after the study.
There are so many important things that are happening during those first two weeks of Induction...you're detoxing from sugars/starches/caffiene, you're learning how to eat all over again and you're aiming to find how fast or slow your metabolism is (page 158 in DANDR) so it's best to plan it when you have two relatively uneventful weeks ahead of you.

Atkins involves a lot of attitude adjusting...it's as much a mental/emotional journey as it is a physical eating experience.
Instead of thinking "I just know that I'll eat really bad things until I do start thinking "last chance to eat this for a long time." try and think of this as pre-Atkins training.

You can focus on learning to drink 64+ ounces of water per day.
You can plan menus based on the Rules of Induction and the Acceptable Foods list.
You can start thinking nutritionally, and begin thinking about the foods that you choose, and whether they benefit you or not. Think about whether you are wanting certain foods because they nourish you, or because they are an emotional bandaid.

These are things I did in the week or two before my actual Atkins start date. This was especially helpful when it came to increasing my water intake. I also thought I'd be grabbing at every piece of chocolate within arms reach, but I found that I was thrilled to see that I could actually choose NOT to have it, and it encouraged me to realize I had control over this.

Anyway..that's my 2 cents!

[not2late]

There's alittle more involved than just staying at 20 net carbs. Blood sugar control is one of the reasons why we lose weight during Atkins. Watermelon has a relatively high glycemic index.

In the end it's up to you; we can only give you our opinions. But please re-read Chapters 11-13 in the book.

[Elizellen]

A tricky situation ensive
Maybe like Megs said perhaps delay your induction start till the study is over?
You could maybe give up on caffeine and sugar till then which might help with induction 'flu' when you do start?

I just had a thought - if you were on induction I wouldn't think the study of how watermelon or carrots would affect you would get valid results anyway.
I mean they are probably wanting to find out how those foods affect someone on a 'normal' USA diet and if you are eating lowcarb they might not want to use you anyway.

Might be good to mention you are on lowcarb to your teachers so they can decide if they would want to use you as a guinea-pig.
It's bound to throw off their statistics if you are in ketosis when they test you. :yikes

[AllieCat0817]

I would just not participate in the study and claim that I don't eat xyz food.. a vegetarian wouldn't participate in a study where the meal consisted of meat. Same thing. Neither would a recovering alcoholic participate in a studey where alcohol were served.

[Fureya]

Originally Posted by Elizellen

It's bound to throw off their statistics if you are in ketosis when they test you. :yikes

Come to think of it...I think you have a point there. I know they will be testing my blood to see if I fasted for the 3 hours prior to doing the tests.

Its so hard to "quit" when I've finally gotten the willpower to start!

I don't HAVE to do the study...but as a broke college student...these things really do help me out!