Nicole Blades

<p>The main idea behind the diet is that you aim to get more of your calories from proteins and good fats (hey-hey, avo!) than carbohydrates so that you can reach a state of ketosis easier, which means your body is using fat for fuel instead of carbs. For a ton of <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a28593858/jenna-jameson-keto-diet-restaurants-instagram/" id="f2e579a1-fba0-3fde-a8b0-d48c2f69052b">  celebrities </a> (and probably your friends and fam) following a keto diet has resulted in <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a20687519/keto-diet-before-and-after/" id="aba2e134-f67d-3e83-ae4a-eea838b8f5ac">  major weight-loss transformations </a> .</p>

<p>But for growing kids, is it ever safe to limit carbohydrate intake? Spoiler alert: Experts say no. Children need carbohydrates to help with proper development, says Elizabeth DeRobertis, RD, of Scarsdale Medical Group in Scarsdale, New York. </p>

<p>But it's worth understanding *why* the resounding warning about keto for kids is to avoid putting youth on the diet, so read on for all of the must-know facts.</p>

<h1> How many carbs per day does a child need? </h1>

<p>To start, kids need carbs for energy and fuel. That doesn't mean they have to get them from pastries and sugary cereal, but to cut kids down to getting only 5 to 10 percent of their calories from carbs is not healthy for children.</p>

<p>According to the <a href="https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-7/" id="8d9345ce-dcdf-3616-a509-1aa072147ef5">  current dietary guidelines </a> , its recommended that carbs account for 45 to 65 percent of childrens total caloric intake, says Kristi King, a senior pediatric dietitian at Texas Childrens Hospital. The calculations vary depending on the age of the child, she says. And gender typically plays a role in the numbers too, with girls being on the lower end of the range than boys. Her calculations, based on daily recommended intake values for a healthy child, are:</p>

<ul><li> 1-3 years of age 110-159 grams/day </li><li> 4-8 years of age 130-220 grams/day </li><li> 9-14 years of age 170-280 grams/day </li><li> 14-18 years of age 220-300 grams/day </li></ul>

<p>While it's clear that kids need carbs, it's perfectly fine to focus on giving your kids the healthy kind. Carbohydrates are in more places than just breads and pastries. You can find carbs in dairy, grains, vegetables, fruits, etc., King notes. So 130 grams of carbohydrates a day could look like three cups of milk, two pieces of wheat bread, a banana, an apple, and approximately two cups of veggies. </p>

<h1>  Is cutting carbs (even a little) ever okay for overweight kids?  </h1>

<p>Even if your doctor has recommended that your child lose weight, restricting carbs in any way (even if you're not following a strict keto diet) is not the best method.</p>

<p>Restrictive eating is not recommended for kids or teens, no matter their weight or activity level, says Jeremy Akers, PhD, director of the graduate dietetics program at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.There isnt much reliable data on low-carbohydrate diet practices in children or adolescents. </p>

<p>There are some medical centers that will prescribe a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet for overweight adolescents who have gone through puberty, he says, but this is usually in extreme circumstances where the child has tried various types of behavioral weight loss techniques. This is all done under a medical care team, as in, a physician, dietitian, psychologist, etc., he says. So, definitely not something you should try at home.</p>

<p>One way to get a handle on your kids carb load is by, again, focusing on healthy carbs that are fibrous and nutrient-dense and eliminating sugary, low-nutrient carbs. DeRobertis recommends reducing foods such as cookies, chips, white bread, rice and pasta, and replacing them with more nutrient-dense snacks, such as: 100 calorie bags of nuts, 100 calorie cups of hummus and veggies, 100 calorie cups of guacamole and veggies, Greek yogurt cups, one piece of fruit, or string cheese.</p>

<p>Promoting healthy eating patterns and increased physical activity is the best thing for families with overweight kids to do, says Lindsey Manz, RD at Banner Cardon Childrens Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona. She also recommends setting up an appointment with a registered dietitian to help guide the whole family on smart, healthy food choices.</p>

<p><strong> What about using the keto diet to treat kids with epilepsy? </strong></p>

<p>The classic version of the keto diet was a way to <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19578300/keto-diet-history-weight-loss/" id="dc5efbfb-c3ee-3bc9-a1e3-8de3218d6836">  help prevent seizures in patients with epilepsy </a> . In studies from the 1920s, the diet wasn't about weight loss at all, and consisted mainly of butter, whipped cream, oils, and mayonnaise. Not the most enjoyable diet, but it was effective in limiting seizures.</p>

<p>Yes, the keto diet has been shown to help with certain types of epilepsy in children, but it is not the same eating plan as a keto diet for weight loss, says Audrey Koltun, a registered dietitian at the Cohen Childrens Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York. It is a calculated eating plan and the child needs to be followed by a neurologist and registered dietitian. If your child deal has epilepsy, talk to your doctor about any benefits of following some version of the keto diet before you make any changes to how they eat. </p>

<h1>  Are there any side effects kids might experience on the keto diet?  </h1>

<p>Sharing a keto meal you've made for yourself with your kid every once in a while is NBD, but if you were to have your child on a keto diet regularly, you would start to see some negative side effects, like fatigue, moodiness, and stomach discomfort, Koltun says. Longer term, youre looking at things like constipationthanks to the lack of fiber in the dietand nutrient deficiencies from inadequate amounts of some vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, vitamins B, C, and D, and calcium.</p>

<p><strong> The bottom line </strong> : Keto + kids = not a healthy mix.</p>

Is It Safe For Kids To Follow A Keto Diet?

These days it seems like you cant peruse the avocado bin without running into someone on the <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19434332/what-is-the-keto-diet/" id="8008f788-2050-3669-aa9f-3144a77780dc">  keto diet </a> . And the popularity of the high-fat, high-protein, low-carb diet has led some parents to wonder whether following a keto eating plan could be a healthy option for their children, particularly if they're overweight.

Is The Keto Diet Safe For Kids? Everything You Need To Know About Keto For Children

<p>But um, it's still hard work-revamping your diet by almost totally cutting out carbs is a drastic change for your body (especially if you're a pizza and pasta lover), so there's got to be an easier way to get into <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19642999/signs-of-ketosis-and-ketosis-symptoms/" id="cc8543de-c640-3864-a666-6b916c3342b4">  ketosis </a> (a.k.a., that state where your body burns fat for fuel instead of carbs), right? Maybe with special keto supplements?</p>

<h1> Hold on, keto supplements? What are those? </h1>

<p>Basically most "keto" supplements, which typically come in powder or capsule form, contain two specific ingredients, according to Wesley McWhorter, RD, chef and dietitian at UTHealth School of Public Health in Houston, Texas: </p>

<ul><li> Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are predominantly saturated fats that break down in the liver </li><li> Exogenous ketones or ketone salts (a.k.a. beta-hydroxybutyrate, or "ketones" made outside of the body in a lab) </li></ul>

<p>Together, these reportedly work to increase the amount of fat in your body and kick you into ketosis (a.k.a. your fat-burning zone) faster, says McWhorter. Ketone supplements also allegedly block carbohydrates from being absorbed or metabolized, says McWhorter.</p>

<p>See all the celebs who have dabbled in the keto diet:</p>

<h1> So...do keto supplements work? </h1>

<p>Those claims are, well, just claims-"If you want to waste your money and potentially consume adulterated products with little or no research backing them, then sure, go right ahead and get those keto supplements," says McWhorter. Yep. </p>

<p>And because there's such limited peer-reviewed research to support using them, they might even be harmful to your health in the long run, says Michelle Milgrim, RD, a nutritionist at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, New York. </p>

<p>"Only short-duration studies examining small samples have found that exogenous ketones can help achieve ketosis quicker and may decrease appetite," she says. But there haven't been any long-term studies looking at these outcomes over time, she adds. </p>

<p>Side effects from keto supplements are also a red flag. "You should be concerned about side effects, says Maucere." One study found that 13 of 19 participants who consumed ketone salts-a popular ingredient in keto supplements-suffered GI distress.</p>

<h1> Well, can keto supplements do anything at all?  </h1>

<p>While keto-specific supplements, like exogenous ketones, do temporarily elevate the level of ketones in the blood, says Amanda Maucere, RD, a nutritionist at Lung Health Institute in Tampa, Florida, the overall impact on the body is not the same as getting there via your dietary choices. </p>

<p>"Think of it like taking a vitamin C supplement versus eating a cup of strawberries. The supplement will provide an adequate amount of vitamin C, but so will eating a cup of strawberries, she says. Plus, with the cup of strawberries youre also getting a dose of fiber, antioxidants and phytochemicals-other things that your body needs. </p>

<p>McWhorter agrees: "Simply swallowing a pill does not give us the same benefit as eating vegetables and whole plant-based food," he says.</p>

<h1> Are there any supplements I should be taking on the keto diet?  </h1>

<p>First: You should always check with your doctor before starting any new nutritional supplements (and even before starting a diet like keto)</p>

<p>Once you get the all-clear, it's important to know that cutting carbs can make you a bit deficient in other vitamins and minerals-specifically chromium, B5 (pantothenic acid), B7 (biotin), and calcium. "People can become deficient in these vitamins and minerals because they are found in grains and, if you're going keto, that usually means very low carbohydrate," Scott Keatley, RD, of <a href="http://keatleymnt.com/" id="f97443c2-ed9f-3042-ad58-ea7a28e57554">  Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy </a> , previously told <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a23644319/keto-diet-supplements/" id="ed6450bd-09ee-3546-ae58-4e5404f432a9">  Women's Health </a> .</p>

<p>Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium are also good additions to the keto diet-especially if you're struggling to feel your best on it because of issues like the keto flu, which can cause dehydration or cramping. "Magnesium can be particularly helpful with constipation or leg cramps on your keto journey," says Maucere-notice none of those suggestions were MCT oil or exogenous ketones. </p>

<p><strong> The bottom line </strong> : Keto supplements are unnecessary and possibly even harmful. If you're set on the keto diet, fill your plate with foods that contain lots of healthy fats, and round it out with non-starchy veggies-not exogenous ketone supplements. </p>

The <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19434332/what-is-the-keto-diet/" id="8008f788-2050-3669-aa9f-3144a77780dc">  keto diet </a> boasts a ton of transformation stories-even celebs like <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a27531808/jenna-jameson-updated-keto-diet-hawaii/" id="524f76aa-74fd-3a1e-a064-cb70bd9b511e">  Jenna Jameson </a> , Al Roker, and <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a27056242/vanessa-hudgens-keto-diet-intermittent-fastin...

Everything You Need To Know Before Using Keto Supplements To Lose Weight

<p>If only. While, yes, the keto diet focuses on keeping your daily carb intake low and boosting the good fats in your diet, it can get a little more complicated than that-especially if you're following the <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a26473973/how-to-work-out-on-keto-diet/" id="45a96e1f-b9c9-3b81-a7ce-d357b86ec57e">  keto diet to a T </a> and, you know, actually counting your keto macros-a.k.a. <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a25615026/keto-diet-for-carb-lovers/" id="c0fd5efe-c884-3121-a307-e79dac6e66d7">  how many grams of carbs </a> , fats, and protein you get each day.</p>

<p>TBH, counting your macros is hard regardless of the eating plan (math, amiright??), but it gets even more complicated when your entire diet depends on it (too many carbs and not enough fat means no ketosis-and less weight loss). </p>

<p>Here's how to break down your keto macros, so you have the best chance of seeing those sweet, sweet <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a20687519/keto-diet-before-and-after/" id="0676c070-bdf8-38a2-a11d-6ac70c75dfdb">  keto diet results </a> .</p>

<h1> So what do macros on the keto diet look like?  </h1>

<p>Real talk: Hard numbers or percentages on the keto diet are tricky because there are so many differing opinions about the right way to do keto, and little research to back up the varying methods, McWhorter says. Keto diets have morphed into a variety of macro levels with ranges of up to 20 percent carbohydrates, 10 to 30 percent protein, and 50 to 90 percent fat."</p>

<h1> Okay, but how does that break down in grams of protein, fat, and carbs?  </h1>

<p>There's a simple equation to help you figure out how many grams of carbs you should be eating on, say, a 1,600-calorie-a-day keto diet, but first you need to know that: </p>

<ul><li> <strong> Carbs </strong>  have four calories per gram.  </li><li> <strong> Fat </strong>  has nine calories per gram </li><li> <strong> Protein </strong>  has four calories per gram.  </li></ul>

<p>Let's also say you're aiming for a standard keto diet of 10 percent carbs-"which is low enough for most people to get into nutritional ketosis," says Maucere-20 percent protein, and 70 percent fat. </p>

<p>Just use these simple equations to figure out how many grams of carbs, protein, and fat you should be aiming for: </p>

<ul><li> <strong> Carbs:  </strong> Calories per day (1,600) x percentage of calories from carbs (.10) / Number of calories per gram in carbohydrates (4) = 40 grams of carbs per day </li><li> <strong> Protein:  </strong> Calories per day (1,600) x percentage of calories from protein (.20) / Number of calories per gram in protein (4) = 80 grams of protein per day </li><li> <strong> Fat:  </strong> Calories per day (1,600) x percentage of calories from carbs (.70) / Number of calories per gram in fat (9) = 125 grams of fat per day </li></ul>

<p>Tracking your carbs is likely the most important part of the keto diet-but you can have a little more flexibility when it comes to your protein and fat macros. </p>

<p>When it comes to your protein intake, in general, it's a good rule to eat about half of your ideal body weight, says Maucere. For example, if you feel your best at 150 pounds, youd want to eat around 75 grams of protein a day, she says (which, tbh, is very close to the 80 grams of protein you'd get from the equation above).</p>

<p>The rest of your diet should <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a24434337/keto-fat-sources/" id="97032b1f-79be-38fd-a474-461216af5167">  consist mainly of fats </a> , but even that varies based on your energy needs, says Maucere. "I typically tell my patients to eat enough fat to feel satiated between meals," she adds. For some, that might mean far less than the 125 grams of fat per day calculated above.</p>

<h1> That's...a lot of math. Is there an easier way to keep track of this? </h1>

<p>I get it; tallying all those grams and percentages can get a bit daunting (no one said thered be math on this portion of the test!). You can try apps like <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cron-o-meter/id465173198?mt=8" id="22e4b9fb-b496-3c54-a5af-87de4b342359">  Cron-o-meter </a> (Maucere's favorite), old school notebooks, etc. But remember: The best method of tracking macros is always going to be the one you can commit to and stick to on a regular basis, says Jen Oikarinen, a registered dietician and clinical dietitian at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix.</p>

<p>If counting is really not your jam, you can also just eyeball your macros: A typical keto plate would have a palm-sized portion of meat, one or two fistfuls of vegetables, and as much fat as you need to achieve satiety, says Maucere. To figure out what satiety looks like for you, she suggests going with one or two thumb-sized portions of fat to start and building from there. So, a meal may look like a small piece of steak with a good-sized portion of green beans and chopped walnuts.</p>

<p>Of course, even more important than counting your keto macros, McWhorter says, is paying attention to the quality of food you put in your body. Even if you hit your macro goals, but you are not including fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, you could be in trouble. Remember that all of these food groups are full of fiber and beneficial in fighting diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and promoting satiety and weight control.</p>

How Do You Count Macros On The Keto Diet?

All you really need to now about the <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19434332/what-is-the-keto-diet/" id="5aad5e66-2b28-3ea0-abdb-f2cb6c5212ca">  keto diet is fat equals good </a> , carbs equals bad...right?

The Best Way To Calculate Your Keto Diet Macros

<p>The most important part of weight loss-aside from actually making your own decision to lose weight and doing it for yourself-is to do it in a healthy way (which also leads to a more sustainable weight loss). That means no crash dieting or exercise binging-but here's the million-dollar question: How much weight can you lose in a short amount of time and still make sure you're doing it in a healthy way? (Because, yeah, nobody wants to be dieting forever.) </p>

<h1> So, how much weight can I lose in a month?  </h1>

<p>There's not one set number, says Christine Santori, RDN, program manager for Center For Weight Management in Northwell Healths Syosset Hospital in Syosset, New York.</p>

<p>It takes 3,500 fewer calories per week-or 500 fewer calories a day-to drop one pound of weight.</p>

<p>The amount of weight one can lose in a month-and still be healthy-really depends on factors, like age, sex, starting weight, caloric intake, caloric deficit, and exercise," says Santori. These variables all play a role in how quickly you can drop pounds.</p>

<p>According to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/losing_weight/index.html" id="a8afe9fc-6058-3c73-af30-b029da816326">  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention </a> , when it comes to weight loss, slow and steady is your best bet-that means shedding about one pound per week for someone who want to lose just a few pounds. That can add up to about a two- to four-pound weight loss in a month. The story's a little different for those looking to lose 100 pounds or more-in that case, you can shed up to 20 pounds in one month. Though "some of that is just water," says Santori.</p>

<h1> Okay, fair-but how do I even get started? </h1>

<p>You're going to have to look at your daily calorie intake. In general, you should aim to cut 500 calories out of your daily meal plan to lose a pound each week, says Irene Franowicz, an RD at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan. </p>

<p>"It takes 3,500 calories less per week-or 500 less calories a day-to drop one pound of weight in a week." Following that math, to drop two pounds in a week youd have to cut 1,000 calories a day. Thats a big change, Franowicz says.</p>

<p>But it doesn't have to be totally diet-dependent-calories burned while exercising can make a difference too, says Franowicz. "A great way to achieve the 500-calorie deficit is to divide it in half, maybe cut out 250 calories a day from food and burn an extra 250 more a day through movement to equal 500 calories," she says. </p>

<p>That way, says Franowicz, you won't feel deprived that that you're making too drastic of a change to your diet that won't be sustainable in the long run-because the goal isn't just losing weight, but keeping it off. </p>

<p>Something important to remember when it comes to calorie counting and calories burned, however: It varies between people. "The number of calories one needs to maintain weight or promote weight loss is based on height, age, and weight, and is individual to the person," says Santori. That means you may have to experiment to get to a formula that works for your body.</p>

<h1> How much weight loss is too much in a month? </h1>

<p>Honestly, even losing two pounds a week might be pushing it, says David A. Levitsky, PhD, professor of nutrition and psychology at Cornell University's College of Human Ecology. "My advice is to lose no more than one pound per week," he says, adding that he doesn't recommend losing more than 10 percent of your initial weight, unless medically necessary.</p>

<p>Franowicz also adds that it's important not to dip under 1,200 calories a day-the lowest calorie threshold she recommends. "Very low-calorie diets can result in fatigue and physical activity is such an important part of [weight loss]. If people are too tired to exercise, then this is a sign you are too low in calories," she says.</p>

<p>But, according to Santori, even modest weight loss can produce beneficial results. Weight loss of 5 to 10 percent of total body weight is associated with improvements in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugars. </p>

<p>Another important thing to remember: The number on the scale shouldn't be your main focus. If you're also adding some exercise (through cardio and strength training) to your workouts, you might also see smaller overall weight loss-about half a pound a week-but how your body looks and feels is a better measure of progress, says Santori. "As we already know, muscle weighs more than fat," she says, adding that you may see inches come off or clothes fit more comfortably as opposed to a major dip on the scale. </p>

<p><strong> The bottom line: </strong>  For healthy, sustainable weight loss, aim to lose about pound a week, or two to four pounds per month.</p>

Let's be real for a sec: <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/" id="b14483c9-d616-37ac-a074-172aac59e80f">  Weight loss </a> is complicated. On the one hand, literally every body is a beach body if you take it to the beach-on the other, wanting to drop a few (or even more than a few) pounds for whatever reason is totally valid, too.

How Much Weight Can You Lose In A Month—And Still Be Healthy?

<p>But before I dig into why your butthole gets itchy, let's clarify one thing: I'm talking about your <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a23875554/itchy-nipples/" id="e414133c-3e9c-3bee-ab71-f8cfe44b557b">  itchy </a> anus in particular-not your entire butt. (It's kind of an important distinction, says Samantha Nazareth, M.D., a double board-certified gastroenterologist in New York City.)</p>

<p>The itching can occur inside the anus or the perianal skin (the skin surrounding the anal opening), and these areas can be affected by a range of different issues. </p>

<p>So what exactly is going on down there? Here are a few reasons you're feeling extra itchy, plus how to get to the bottom of your, uh, <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/g19916429/rectum-and-colon-facts/" id="18f9a7b7-5018-3470-a5b4-1709a84d8333">  bottom issues </a> .</p>

<p>Nazareth always asks her patients about their bathroom hygiene habits. Are you an aggressive wiper? Do you not feel clean unless you use wet wipes? "Too many of us are wiping ourselves to death with toilet paper and then using wet wipes afterward," says Nazareth. Those practices are bound to cause irritation (your skin is super sensitive down there!).</p>

<p>On the flip side, you might not be wiping enough-leftover poop in the anal area, along with extra moisture, is also recipe for irritation, says Nazareth.</p>

<p>When it comes to finding a happy medium for your butt-wiping, Nazareth has some advice: "Ideally, if youre at home, the best way is going into the tub or use a shower head to clean the area with force of the water. No soap needed. "Then pat dry the area. It's the best way short of using a bidet." If you're out and about when nature calls, she recommends using a little warm water on the TP and, again, going for the pat-dry afterward.</p>

<p>Hemorrhoids are swollen, inflamed blood vessels around your anus or in your lower rectum, according to the <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/hemorrhoids/definition-facts" id="06d529b7-914c-393b-a058-9e9069091275">  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases </a> (NIDDK). Typically, external hemorrhoids-ones that form under the skin and around the anus-are the cause for itching, versus internal hemorrhoids, which form in the lining of the anus and lower rectum.</p>

<p>Constipation (a.k.a., difficulty passing bowel movements) is often the cause of hemorrhoids-you know, from the pushing and extra time spent on the toilet. "I often suggest the Squatty Potty to my hemorrhoids patients," says Nazareth, which can help the passage of bowel movements. "Not everyone who has hemorrhoids has itchiness problems. Youre just trying to make sure youre not aggravating them." Another smart tip to avoid flare-ups? Getting enough fiber in your diet to make things flow a little more...smoothly.</p>

<p>Okay, this is pretty unlikely, but it's still possible. Pinworms are small parasites that can live in your colon and rectum, per the <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/pinworms.html" id="45660946-4a42-3d70-a140-fab49ac8aeb7">  U.S. National Library of Medicine </a> (NLM). They're spread by the fecal-oral route (yes, that's exactly what it sounds like) either directly or indirectly (through contaminated clothing, bedding, food, etc.).</p>

<p>This infection is most common in children, and many people who are infected don't have symptoms at all. If you have symptoms, they're most commonly intense anal (or vaginal) itching that can interfere with daily life. But here's the catch:"You won't be able to diagnose this at home," says Nazareth. "You must get checked by a doctor via a stool sample." As for treatment, mild infections can go away on their own, but medication is sometimes needed, per the NLM. </p>

<p>Yep, these can happen anywhere-not just in your vagina. "It happens a lot when the weather is really warm and humid outside," says Nazareth. That's because it allows a fungus called candida (the scientific name for yeast) to grow at a quicker rate than usual, according to the NLM. Add a rigorous workout-and rocking that same sweating gear all day-to the mix, and you've made a prime environment for a yeast infection. </p>

<p>Your best defense is to get out of those sweat-soaked clothes and shower post-workout. Already have a yeast infection that brought on anal itching? Nazareth suggests opting for an antifungal ointment or wearing loose clothing at home. "Ideally, don't wear underwear at all and choose some loose-fitting pants to let things air out in their 'natural' state." </p>

<h1> 5. You might have-gulp!-scabies. </h1>

<p>This is another rare one, but you might as well know what scabies are, right? They're a parasite-like pinworms-that burrow into the outer layer of your skin and lay eggs there, says Nazareth. But scabies will itch everywhere, not just your butt. So, yay?</p>

<p>The symptoms (a.k.a., crazy itchiness and sores) can take as long as four to eight weeks to show up. And while scabies can be treated with medication for your skin, your home will need to be treated as well.</p>

<h1> 6. You have a skin irritation. </h1>

<p>Have you recently started using a new bath product? An allergic irritation to a fragrance or other product could be the culprit, says Nazareth. You can also get other itchy skin disorders, like <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19950562/psoriasis/" id="81bcef2d-5f7b-3516-ab7c-a34122c64768">  psoriasis </a> (a buildup of skin cells that causes red, itchy patches) or <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19981448/eczema/" id="9d1adc96-2ea7-3f2d-aded-306ea34432f4">  eczema </a> (itchy, inflamed scales on the skin) down there, too.</p>

<p>If you suspect either of these conditions, it's best to see your dermatologist (yes, even for your backside) to find the best treatment for you (oral medications, steroid creams, or light therapy). </p>

<h1> 7. You might (but likely don't) have anal cancer. </h1>

<p>Okay, so anal itching does not automatically mean you have anal cancer. But, rarely, anal itching can be a symptom of cancer-especially if it's accompanied by bleeding, says Nazareth, in which case, you should see your doctor. While it's likely something benign, like hemorrhoids, Nazareth says it's still wise to get the all-clear from your doc.</p>

Let's not be coy here: Everyone has a butthole-and sometimes, buttholes get itchy.

Why Is My Butthole Itchy Right Now?

<p>But what if there was another way to lose weight...one that didn't include drastically cutting carbs or worrying about being in ketosis?</p>

<p>That's where <a href="https://www.mynetdiary.com" id="840e7377-1ff0-46a1-9b4a-36310c7f846a">  MyNetDiary </a> comes into play. MyNetDiary is a website and mobile app that serves as an online diary or sorts that can help you track food and exercise. Here's what you need to know, and why it might help you reach your weight-loss goals.</p>

<h3>Tell me: What exactly is MyNetDiary?</h3>

<p>Honestly, it's pretty aptly named. MyNetDiary is a free website and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/calorie-counter-mynetdiary/id287529757?mt=8" id="9ce6e643-b4fb-48dc-af20-64aa0619bae1">  mobile app </a> that allows you to track what you eat and how much you exercise. According to the program's website, MyNetDiary has a database of over 941,000 different foods for calorie-tracking purposes.</p>

<p>MyNetDiary also has an entire community to give you the "support and motivation to help you stick to your goals," per the website. Their community forum is also monitored by a registered dietitian for extra support.</p>

<p>In addition to calorie counts, the program also keeps track of 36 different nutrients (like sodium, saturated fats, calcium, and so on).</p>

<h3>I&amp;#x27;m intrigued...but will MyNetDiary help me lose weight?</h3>

<p>It definitely could. "Food logging is one of the most effective tools to use for weight control," says Jacqueline Gomes Sgherza, RD. "A food diary can double your weight loss."</p>

<p>That's because calorie tracking is the key to weight loss, she says, assuming you're being both truthful and accurate with your food logging.</p>

<p>In fact, in a 2013 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine <strong> LINK </strong> , MyNetDiary (and MyNetDiary Pro) were selected as the top diet app out of 30 different weight-loss mobile apps. The study analyzed each of the apps on whether or not they included any of 20 behavioral strategies derived from an evidence-based weight-loss program, like individualization, presence of a community, and feedback.</p>

<p>According to the study authors, "Physicians interested in referring patients to weight-loss mobile apps should select apps such as MyNetDiary that are free and include the highest proportion of evidence-based strategies."</p>

<p>Gomes Sgherza says it best: "Yes, absolutely."</p>

<p>Part of that, according to Gomez, is because the site and app is very user-friendly and takes hard-to-understand science jargon and makes it easier to digest. "It's perfect for someone who is new to the idea of tracking their food," says Gomes Sgherza. "There's really no reason not to get signed up."</p>

<p>One key to keep in mind, though: You need to be straight-up about your activity levels and food intake. "The system will use a calculation for your calorie level based on age, sex, height, and activity," says Gomes Sgherza. This could get tricky. "If you set your activity level to high, your calorie recommendation may be too high and you will not be in the calorie deficit required to produce weight loss."</p>

<p>You also need to pay attention to the details. "You've got to look through all the option for 'chicken,' for example, to be sure you select the closest match to what you just ate," says Gomes Sgherza. That means selecting "chicken breast" instead of just a general chicken option.</p>

<p>Gomes Sgherza also recommends buying a digital scale to measure your own food. You'll get an idea what five ounces of chicken (a typical serving, according to MyNetDiary) really looks like. All the better to properly eyeball when you're out and about without your trust scale.</p>

<p><strong> The bottom line </strong> : You really can't go wrong with MyNetDiary as a scientifically-proven way to help you lose weight, as long as you use it as instructed.</p>

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of diets out there- <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19434332/what-is-the-keto-diet/" id="c5f38012-7b63-4324-a6d6-8f044e15ce54">  keto </a> , <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a25643051/what-is-the-whole-30-diet/" id="73ff48dd-d6ae-48b4-8c9b-7fec589ec5a6">  Whole30 </a> , Atkins-and they all restrict what you eat in one way or another.

What Exactly Is MyNetDiary—And Will It Help You Lose Weight?

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