Hi all...
I have the best news. I am officially pregnant and need to move to a maintenance diet. I have been doing Atkins since Aug and lost about 13 lbs, wanted to loose 60 but new lives got in the way... How do I get started? Aany recommendations are welcome. What do you think is a good carb level... I am thinking 65n or 70 since I was doing 40 and looe about 1 lb per week...

Congratulations!!!! How WONDERFUL!

I think you may be in the right ball park, but I know some of our more experienced members and mods will help you out. Stay tuned!


BC
172/108/108
Zone since 4/98

WOW!!!
Congratulations on your WONDERFUL news!!!

As you may or may not know... I am in the same boat!
I have spent the past 2 years eating LC so when my dh and I started trying to get pregnant, I began reading everything I could get my hands on regarding LC and pregnancy. This is what I decided:
1) The state of ketosis is *probably* perfectly safe, but WE JUST DON'T KNOW, so it's best to avoid a ketogenic diet.

2) You can eat *lower* carb (as you have already figured out) by adding lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to your woe. I have also added some low-glycemic whole grains (like oats) to my menu.

3) The Glycemic Index can be an invaluable tool while pregnant. This extensive list will guide you to the carbs that are least likely to elevate your blood glucose/insulin levels and make you gain weight. I STRONGLY recommend that you get the book, The New Glucose Revolution, by Jennie Brand-Miller, PhD., et.,al. While the authors can be infuriating with their illogical, outdated, uninformed dismissal of a low-carb lifestyle, the book is WONDERFUL for explaining and laying out the low-glycemic diet.
This will help you make *healthy* carb choices throughout your pregnancy.

I would steer clear of trying to find a *magic* carb # as this varies for different people. Just make sure you are eating enough calories for the baby's healthy development and make healthy food choices.
Finally, if you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to talk to your obstetrician. Mine was VERY supportive of my following a low-glycemic/lower-carb diet while pregnant!
Again, congratulations and ENJOY every minute of it! This is such a special time.
{{{hugs}}}

Summer


www.herstorygirl.com

Count me in on the pregnancy bandwagon... I go for the blood test on Thursday to confirm it, but I did 2 home tests (which were positive) and I am about a week late (and even off the pill I am pretty regular), so here I am... I have sorta done maintenance before, so the big thing for me is to just avoid sugar and eat in moderation. I also went cold turkey on the Diet Vanilla Cokes, so my arse has been dragging the past few days. My suggestions:
- Avoid sugar and white flour.
- Eat regular portioned meals, do not try to eat for two - my sister says you only need an extra 300 calories a day when you are pregnant (she is in her 7th month).
- No caffeine; drink lots of water.

For me, I tend to up my carb intake by adding in a bit of wheat - perhaps a slice of whole wheat toast or some wheat crackers (good for an upset stomach), because I have never been able to eat a whole lot of veggies. I do have a salad at lunch every day, and a veggie or two with my dinner. Another thing I am trying to do is avoid artificially sweetened foods, especially LC treats. Perhaps the best thing for us to do is to stick close to the source.

I must say that even though DH and I were trying to get pregnant, I did not expect it to happen this soon, and I wish I had been more disciplined this summer about my WOE. I really slacked and I am still in the high 170s. But I decided today that the most important thing to do is to eat right for the baby, and worry about getting back into my size 10s next summer

Congratulations!!!

JRJ

WOW JRJ! Congratulations!!!


BC
172/108/108
Zone since 4/98

Congrats Summer and JRJ. I know that with this WOL we can have great healthy pregnancies. Thanks for the advice.
H.

OMG, congrats to all of the preggo's! I have 2 small children and can say, nothing is more rewarding! Pregnancy is not a time to worry about losing weight. Eat when hungry and don't when you are not. Stay away from sugar and you will all do GREAT!

JRJ, I just knew you would end up pregnant quickly! COOL!

MONICA