Cheat Eats at ATL
By: Tim Turner
You’re on vacation and the envy of everyone who isn’t. While you’re taking a break from work, should you also give yourself a break from workouts and your diet regimen, too?
The answer is yes. The answer is always going to be yes.
Introducing a cheat day can make dieting more sustainable. Your diet requires flexibility to help you stay focused and motivated.
Having a cheat day or weekend after working hard all winter and spring to get in vacation shape is not only acceptable, but it can also be beneficial. A break from constantly monitoring your calorie deficit can have positive mental and physiological effects. Some experts say it isn’t likely to undo all the progress you’ve made.
For those traveling in and out of Hartsfield-Jackson, the good news is that cheat day options abound. And if you feel you need to have some kind of restriction relative to what you eat, cheat day purchases have been restricted to only the days that end in Y. Here are a few.
Grindhouse Killer Burgers (Concourse D, T)
Make those calories count! When you sit down for a burger here, you’re treating yourself to an exceptional burger experience. It owes its success – and flavor – to its blend of ground beef. Prepared to your liking (mine was a cheeseburger well, with provolone cheese), paired with your choice of non-alcoholic beverages or adult ones at a full-service bar with its cocktails and beers.
IHOP (Atrium)
Surely, you’ve heeded the suggested arrival time of two hours prior to your domestic flight. You’ve checked security wait times on our webpage and see you have a few minutes to spare and are starved. You can get your breakfast fix and be a part of history with a meal at the first IHOP location ever built in an airport. The menu that has been tempting cheat days for six decades does not disappoint. Their chicken and waffles meal makes an excellent way to start your vacation.
GOLDBERG’S (Concourse T, A)
You are on the opposite side of security now. Before heading to your gate, you want to experience a taste of New York. You get that in Goldbergs, where bagel options (mine was cinnamon raisin with plain cream cheese), lox, and sandwiches are plentiful.
Uncle Maddio’s (Concourse T)
You’ve denied yourself a pie. No more. If you’ve got a bit of time before boarding, you cannot go wrong with Uncle Maddio’s. The pizza is made fresh in front of you. You pick your crust, cheese, and toppings, and they get it to you in time to enjoy it before taking off. A really great selection is their Classic Margherita.
Pieces of Cake (Concourse A Centerpoint)
If you’re going to stop eating clean, this is the place to get downright dirty. The desserts are fresh, fast, and fantastic, and there is an assortment to satisfy every taste. Their slices are huge. A fav is their Strawberry slice loaded with actual fruit, and they do not scrimp on the icing.
laMadeleine (Concourse C)
The no-wait, self-serve center for gourmet sandwiches is perfect for those who really want a quick, quality bite before their flight.
Hudson (Concourse F Centerpoint)
If you’re feeling guilty about indulging on your cheat day, pop in to this Maynard H. Jackson International Concourse powerhouse. It has everything you need to prepare for your flight. For those who still have a twinge of guilt over starting their cheat day before wheels up, there are protein products throughout the middle of this massive store. A healthy variety of juices, fruits, nuts, and sandwiches (I had a massive turkey sandwich with BBQ chicken skin chips) abound in this grab-and-go wonderland.
You needn’t apologize for giving in to the temptations of the incredible fare offered at ATL. After all, you were on a break.
