Low Carbing and Pregnancy
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LunaKate
Posts: 64 Member
After losing 10lbs since switching to keto in March I have just confirmed I am 7 weeks pregnant 
For now I have simply increased my calories to 1800/day as recommended by a pregnancy calorie calculator.
The problem is I dont know what I should aim for now in carbs. Some people say keto is perfectly fine as long as you eat enough calories, some say keto could cause a fetus to be mentally retarded or that you wont have enough energy in labor.
This blogger says its completely healthy: http://mariamindbodyhealth.com/keto-pregnancy/
WebMD: Low-carbohydrate diets, such as Atkins and the South Beach Diet, are very popular. There have been no studies of the effects of a low-carb diet on pregnancy, so its effect on the fetus, if any, are unknown. While you are pregnant, you should eat a balanced diet, from all of the food groups.
A Dr. Michael Fox who specializes in infertility and uses a LCHF diet to help patients conceive promotes LCHF through pregnancy and says it also helps with Hyperemesis Gravidarum; extreme, persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that can lead to dehydration, which I suffered from in my last pregnancy. (It was horrible!) Not only that but he claims it also helps with moodiness and cravings too. cureality.com/blog/post/2010/06/06/low-carb-gynecologist.html
But almost everything on google search says just not to do a LCHF diet while pregnant.
For now I have simply increased my calories to 1800/day as recommended by a pregnancy calorie calculator.The problem is I dont know what I should aim for now in carbs. Some people say keto is perfectly fine as long as you eat enough calories, some say keto could cause a fetus to be mentally retarded or that you wont have enough energy in labor.
This blogger says its completely healthy: http://mariamindbodyhealth.com/keto-pregnancy/
WebMD: Low-carbohydrate diets, such as Atkins and the South Beach Diet, are very popular. There have been no studies of the effects of a low-carb diet on pregnancy, so its effect on the fetus, if any, are unknown. While you are pregnant, you should eat a balanced diet, from all of the food groups.
A Dr. Michael Fox who specializes in infertility and uses a LCHF diet to help patients conceive promotes LCHF through pregnancy and says it also helps with Hyperemesis Gravidarum; extreme, persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that can lead to dehydration, which I suffered from in my last pregnancy. (It was horrible!) Not only that but he claims it also helps with moodiness and cravings too. cureality.com/blog/post/2010/06/06/low-carb-gynecologist.html
But almost everything on google search says just not to do a LCHF diet while pregnant.
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Almost everything on google search will tell you that you shouldn't do a LCHF diet the rest of the time, either.
I'd vote for go with your body & keep the processed & refined stuff out. In all of the reading I've done (and I've done quite a bit), I've seen absolutely nothing that says LCHF would be bad for a pregnancy as long as you're still eating enough (I wasn't specifically looking for that, as I haven't been pregnant and don't plan to for quite some time, but I have a theory that if something either makes you more fertile or aids in childbearing, it can't be bad for you, so I do pay attention).0 -
I've also read some ZC anecdotes about pregnancies free of morning sickness, and very easy deliveries. Plus if you're already controlling your sugar cravings by keeping your carbs under a certain limit, you can probably enjoy a reduced pregnancy weight gain.0
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http://www.reddit.com/r/KetoBabies/search?q=ketobabies&sort=relevance&restrict_sr=on&t=all
I dont know how helpful that will be. I got pregnant last July and I started eating more carbs because 'everyone' said so and I gained almost 20 lbs in 2 weeks. I had only increased my carbs to 100g a day, not a like I was at 300g a day or anything. I ended up miscarrying a few weeks later (hormone issues not Keto/LCHF or carbs), but I saved that link just in case lightening struck again. I'd like to keep my carbs low so I dont blow up weight wise again and keep my risk of gestational diabetes low.
But Id research and talk to your doctor/ob gyn/midwife and make your own decision. Ive seen anecdotal stories that women who Keto during pregnancy had perfect babies. But I know doctors and others say the babies need glucose to grow their little brains. Because babies will take from the mom's bodies anything they need, I dont know what to think really.0 -
Following.... Very curious as to what you find out, and hear. I had gestational diabetes with my first (and only) pregnancy and ended up needing insulin. I actually lost about 5lbs throughout the pregnancy, and ate a fair amount of carbs. Weird.0
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Okay, so I have an 8 month old little boy now.
When I was pregnant, I was overweight (still am, but you know...) and I was gaining quickly. My OB recommended starting LC. (He also recommended going lowfat while doing it, but I didn't. I did some research and he has a side business that promotes the HCG diet so I'm guessing that has something to do with it.) So I stuck to LC for pretty much my entire pregnancy and passed my GTT with flying colors.
I also only eneded up gaining 23lbs and am now back on LC and well below my prepregnancy weight.0 -
I believe there is a Facebook group for low carb and pregnant mums. Quite popular i have heard. If you are interested i can ask around for the name.0
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Women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes are often placed on a low carb diet during pregnancy. As long as you ensure you're getting the proper nutrients (take your prenatals!) you'll be fine
Congratulations! 0 -
I was morbidly obese when I got pregnant. With twins developed GD at 30 weeks. I was on a 10-15g carb breakfast/dinner, 30g lunch, 10g or less snack. Granted it may have been different bc of multiples but that was my guideline to follow. I stuck to fruits, whole grains, veggies.
The "good" carbs are essential for the growing babies body and brain development. Avoid processed foods.0 -
Women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes are often placed on a low carb diet during pregnancy. As long as you ensure you're getting the proper nutrients (take your prenatals!) you'll be fine Congratulations!
Agreed. I had GD with my last kid. I was low-carb for the last half of the pregnancy. And LCHF while breastfeeding him for 21mo. He's tall, smart and healthy. If I knew then what I know now, I would have gone LCHF 17 years ago and done all my pregnancies on this WOE.
Congrats, btw!0 -
Thanks everyone for the support! I actually tracked down a doctor who promotes LCHF for infertility and PCOS and emailed him. Hopefully I will hear back and I'll let you all know what he recommends.
Alliwan Im so sorry for your loss, I miscarried as well in December at 10 weeks.
I think from what Ive read and the advice given here that LCHF is perfectly fine during pregnancy and I will increase my carbs just a little, about 40-60g/day, and make sure the carbs are from healthy foods, like sweet potatoes, veggies, and a little whole grains, like oatmeal. No bread, sweets, processed foods, etc.
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Thanks for posing your question. I am hoping to get pregnant soon and everyone's feedback has been helpful. Congratulations. 0
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I've done a ton of research abd it seems safe. I'm planning on pregnancy soon enough, and am actually waiting to see if af is late. Congrats!0
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I came across this on Mark's Daily Apply today. It doesn't really address guidelines for pregnancy, but still pretty cool anyway. http://www.ketotic.org/2015/03/meat-is-best-for-growing-brains.html0
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I ate a high protein, relatively low carb (gluten-free without using too many of the starchy replacement foods) diet during my last pregnancy. I had horrible morning sickness with my first two pregnancies, but with the help of protein it wasn't nearly as bad with my third. I also had a 3-hour labor the third time... Personally I think that fat and protein are more important than carbs for baby development... If I were to get pregnant again I would probably stay LCHF.0
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This is very interesting. I was keto prior to my two pregnancies but did not continue while expecting. I think I could but took the easy way out. But I thought I'd let you know that I've in ketosis for 5 weeks and breastfeeding. Baby is doing great and I honestly feel my breast milk is richer this time compared to last. Also no problems with supply as long as my calories stay above 1700.0
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Oh and congratulations!!!!0
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I do recall my midwife freaking out that I had ketones in my urine with my daughter. I don't recall why now, but I remember it was a bad thing.
I suppose it depends how low carb you are? I had gestational diabetes and was not on what I would call low carb compared to what I do now, but it was about 150g per day.0
