Pregnancy and Low Carb lifestyles

[mommyamber]

OOOHHHH DEAR !!!

I absolutely was never in ketosis while pregnant! I was not trying to loose weight or prevent weight gain. I ate like a piggy too. WHEN I SAY LOW CARB, I mean just cutting out sugar and white flour. I have not been in ketosis in almost 2 years (back in July 2002) !!!!!!! EEKKK... for all that running of my mouth, I should have mentioned that fact.

I don't DIET.
I don't consider myself dieting.
I just eat low carb. hummm I wonder how to explain it. I don't have a carb count b/c I never kept track. I never counted carbs (except way back when - in the beggining).
I just eat everything so long as it is not sugar or white flour. oh dear... I am sooo sorry for the misunderstanding.

P.s. My ob/gyn was aware of my low carb'ing --
NOT DIETING remember. JUST cutting out the bad stuff... NO KETOSIS. NO "TRYING TO LOOSE WEIGHT"
JUST Eating good food. NO CARB COUNTING. It was not anything I really thought about. It was just the way I have been eating since 2002- it has become an afterthought. Hey !!! it is truely a W.O.E. !!!

[Lawbooks]

Oh, thank goodness.

I'm SOOO glad to hear you say that!

While I do *personally feel* that it's likely no harm would come to the fetus, I just don't think anyone should ever take that chance.

Amber, it sounds like you did just AWESOME. And you did what I am doing now. I eat a lot of fruit and *some* whole grains (not many because they ALL raise my blood glucose!). I am not trying to lose weight, but I DO have to eat this way or risk being put on insulin -- something I think would ultimately be MORE HARMFUL to my baby.

I'm so glad to hear your story and know that all went well... Sounds like you have truly made this woe a WOL (way of life).
Keep posting! You are a great asset to this board!

Summer


www.herstorygirl.com

[sizzlingseven]

Just touching base to see how the PregLC'rs are doing.... me? not so well... I'm totally out of control, i added up my food from yesterday and I had 2600 calories and 186g carbs. I'm feeling tight in my butt, legs, waist - like the weight is coming on so fast, my skin can't take it any more! I'm a little depressed today, to say the least, but also motivated to get back on track. I'm up to 175 now, and a month ago I was 162, so that's 13 pounds in a month - I feel terrible! Any advice / words of encouragement?

I know that MommyAmber said the hunger during the first trimester is very high, but if I gain 10 pounds a month for seven more months, my body is going to shut down! HELP!

Niki
162/173/190
Preggers since 11/10/03
Due 8/16/04
LCing since 10/21/03

[Lawbooks]

Niki,

Do you have a *plan* that you are following?
What is your approach?

One thing that has really helped me, psychologically, is to not really "go off of Atkins" but to add enough to make it non-ketogenic.
For instance, all the things that were not allowed before (bread, cereal, pasta, cookies, chips, sodas, etc.) are not allowed now, either. BUT I eat fruit a couple of times a day. And if I want homemade oatmeal (WHOLE GRAIN -- NOT instant!!!), then I eat that. I also have a glass of orange juice **occasionally**.
The biggest "add in" for me has been fruit. I eat an apple a day and sometimes some grapes or oranges or plums.
Also, I no longer stress about *little things* like croutons on my Chicken Caesar salad.
But french fries are still off-limits.

And make sure you are drinking ample water!!
If you don't, you will retain a lot more -- even more than usual as it is a natural side effect of pregnancy to want to retain water!

You haven't done "irreversible damage" yet ()
but NOW is the time to get your eating under control. Add some brown or Basmati rice (lowest on the glycemic index) or milk back to your plan, but basically eat like you are still strict LC. The main thing is to stay out of ketosis by eating enough fruit and whole grains.
Hang in there, sweetie. The first trimester can be rough... Just make your plan now and you'll do fine.

Summer


www.herstorygirl.com

[sizzlingseven]

Thanks Summer.... I have to just go back into the LC mindset. My problem started with me thinking I need to eat healthy for the baby, and so I should follow the food pyramid: 6-11 servings of bread, 3-5 servings of fruit, 4 servings of milk... It just spiralled into to "muffins are OK, pasta is OK, cereals are OK, PB&J is OK, everything is now OK..." well, the new big dimples of cellulite on my touche are NOT OK!

You're absolutely right - I just need to add enough good carbs to keep me out of ketosis, but keep eating like I'm a low-carber. Its just that with the morning sickness, the thought of eating a boiled egg or a piece of chicken turned me right off! All I wanted was something light and bland, like toast or a bowl of cereal. Hopefully within the next few weeks, as I enter my second trimester, my stomach will settle down.

Today I've had 2 sausage egg mcmuffins, and just ate 1/2 of one of the muffins - total 17g carbs. Then for lunch I had a huge salad with chicken, cheese, egg, ranch dressing, and a 1/2 cup macaroni & cheese - total 28g carbs, so I'm at 45g so far today. I'm going to try to stay around 80g for a week and see what happens. Lord knows I've been eating more than that every day since I found out I was pregnant, so hopefully 80g will be enough.

Exercising will also help control the storage of any extra calories that my body doesn't need.

So, that's my plan. The key will be to stay on it - especially the first few days while my body comes down from its carb high. And, to purge my house or hide the tempting stuff. And, stop buying cookies and desserts. And, drink more water (as you said).

Thanks for the advice - it really helped!


Niki
162/175/190
Preggers since 11/10/03
Due 8/16/04
LCing since 10/21/03

[Lawbooks]

I'm glad, Niki.

I do know how hard that first trimester can be... And I would rather you eat **something** -- whatever you can stomach -- than nothing at all. But it is SO easy to fall into that trap of thinking "Well, I'm pregnant, so I can eat this and this..."
I know; I did it, too.
But my blood sugar quickly let me know that it was NOT OK. So I quickly went back to low-carb.

And I do the 1/2 a muffin or 1/2 biscuit thing sometimes, too.

I think you have a good plan and you will find that it will get easier as your pregnancy progresses.
Hang in there and keep posting.

Summer

[kmattson]

Niki

I can definately relate to your situation!

The last few weeks have been really bad for me. I've been constantly hungry ... I don't know whether that's due to being pregnant or if its due to the cravings brought about by reintroducing carbohydrates. Probably the latter. On top of that I've gained 4 pounds!! And I know that the expected weight gain in the first trimester is only supposed to be about 2 or 3 pounds.

It's incredible how one thing can lead to another which can lead to another and so on. Before I knew it, the type of carbohydrates I had been consuming had moved from fruits and vegetables to chocolate, biscuits and potato chips!!!

Well today I'm putting my foot down! I've decided now to not make pregnancy an excuse anymore. I think even being in Ketosis has to be healthier than the way I have been eating lately! I am going to limit my fruit intake to one piece a day (as I think that fruit is the thing that kicked off the carbohydrate cravings in the first place). And I'm going to avoid the toast too (although it tasted sooooo good after having abstained for so long previously). And as for biscuits, chocolates etc .... well they are definately on the banned list again!!!

I hope by putting this in writing it will strengthen my resolve to get back on track!

Any suggestions about how I can stay in control of cravings while ensuring my baby receives adequate nutrition will definately be welcomed!!!

[sizzlingseven]

Hey mum of one.... welcome!! we'll get thru this journey together.

I've been feeling much better the last two days, just by putting myself back into a low-carb mindset.

My goal for the last few days has been 1800 calories and 100g carbs, but so far the intake has been between 2100-2600 calories and 110-130g carbs. However, my carbs have been healthier: orange juice, slice of english muffin, vanilla pudding (there's calcium in there, right? ) cashews, pecans. I've found that if I stay away from what i was doing, which was toast, cereal, fruit and yogurt for breakfast - and then still being hungry - and instead I'm adding my eggs, sausage and cheese to my breakfast, the rest of the day holds less cravings.

I'm finding I'm very hungry at 4pm, so today I had an apple, and yesterday I had orange juice.

And, I don't know why, maybe due to upping my protein again, but I have been ssssooooo thirsty! Like I just finished a workout with no water! So, I'm getting my water in throughout the day.

I take a pre-natal multi vitamin, plus 600mg of Calcium, because I just can't eat four servings of milk/yogurt a day. That alone is 400 calories right there, so I partially supplement.

I also started doing 30 minutes on the exercise bike before work, and I went to the gym last night after work, and I did 100 crunches this morning too. I need to do the ab work, because my back is already hurting, and I'm only into my 11th week.

So, that's been my new schedule for the last 2-3 days. The scale said I was down to 173, which is two pounds less than monday, but I'm sure that's just water because (a) i'm exercising, (b) i'm off the quantity of bread, and (c) I've started drinking a lot of water, so I'm not retaining as much.

Who knows.... I'm new at this, but I think it took a month of experimenting to realize what my body can/can't do.

keep in touch! I haven't gone for my first ob/gyn appt yet, but can't wait for my first u/s.

How far along are you? is this your first?

Niki
162/175/190
Preggers since 11/10/03
Due 8/16/04
LCing since 10/21/03

[kmattson]

Hi Niki!!

I am currently about 6.5 weeks pregnant (although I might be as far as 10 weeks - not sure because my last period was really just spotting - very light. Will find out for sure at my u/s on 17th Feb).

This is my second pregnancy. My first was a nightmare because I was about 60 lbs overweight. I ended up being induced a week early with pre-eclampsia then had to have an emergency caesarian due to foetal distress.

Because I was so overweight I absolutely hate to see the early photos of my son that included me in the picture!! I looked like a whale!!!

I am so determined this time around to be fit and in good shape throughout the pregnancy. I lost a lot of weight last year through a low-fat diet, but because I ended up so chronically hungry, I started bingeing and putting it all on again ... until I found this WOE!! What a revelation!!!

Yesterday was pretty good diet-wise and I think I'm pretty much back on track now. I'm forcing myself to eat eggs for breakfast (even though I've got a bit of morning sickness!). They really seem to ward off the cravings for most of the day.

Fruit-wise, I eat an apple a day and maybe a handful of grapes or strawberries. I snack on mixed nuts or cheese. I usually have a tuna salad for lunch (I've added a few more salad veggies since discovering I was pregnant), and a chicken stir-fry or the like for dinner.

Today, I feel much better in terms of cravings and mood than I have for the last 2 weeks but I am severely lacking in energy and my legs get very tired. I am doing 30 minutes a day on the exercise bike but I haven't been to the gym for a while - just haven't had the energy!

Anyway, is this your first baby Niki? When is your first ob/gyn appt?

Keep me posted on how you're going!!

[goodeats]

Hey All, I am so glad that I started this thread! It seems to have helped quite a lot of you! I unfortunately am no longer Pregnant. I lost our baby at 7.5 weeks. But, Nature has a way of making sure that we have healthy children. So we are back at it again. Hopefully soon I will be able to reply to this post that we have a successful Pregnancy!! Oh Did I Mention That I Love LOW CARBING!!!!! I know that this woe/wol had totally contributed to my last pregnancy. I plan on continuing to stay on course and Hope for the best!! Good luck to you all with your Pregnancies. I truly hope that all is well!

Goodeats

[Lawbooks]

Oh, Goodeats, I'm so sorry.

I'm very glad you started this thread and I hope you will be joining the discussion again, soon.
BIG {{{{HUGS}}}}

Summer

[sizzlingseven]

Hi Goodeats - I am sorry to hear about your loss... but I agree with you - if it wasn't meant to be, your body knew it. I'm sure another blessing is on its way.

MOO - yes, this is my first. Once again, this weekend I've been completely out of control foodwise - carbwise, fatwise.... I'm not eating healthy at all. My legs feel tight and I feel like crap. The funny thing is, the only thing I think will make me feel better is eating a cinnamon bun, or pizza, which actually does make me feel better for that one moment.

My mom told me she gained 60 pounds with being pregnant with me, lost about 15 pounds of it, then 2 yrs later, gained another 60 pounds with my sister. Now I'm totally freaked out! Maybe that's why I've gained 15 pounds in the first tri - destiny. Could it be twins? my belly is showing hugh, so I just don't know. I go for my first u/s next Monday. I'm starting week 12 tomorrow, but I'm already having to wear maternity clothes - all my others are too small. I wasn't really ready to tell my boss yet, but if I can't hide it much longer, I'm not going to have a choice.

I'm stressed.

Oh well, tomorrow I'll get back on track with exercise, low carbs, water, etc.

Anyways, thought I would check in to see how all are doing. Goodeats - keep in touch. Will write tomorrow.

Niki

Niki
162/175/190
Preggers since 11/10/03
Due 8/16/04
LCing since 10/21/03

[Leasa]

Wow, I was so glad to see there are more folks pregnant posting now. Im 9.5 weeks and I have to say my lc that I started in Aug has pretty much been thrown out the window. I may be fooling myself but I keep hoping in a few weeks when I feel better to get back to eating better. Im so sick all the time, carbs do make me feel better. I have so many aversions to smells, I really have not been cooking much simply because the smell of food makes me so ill. This last week Ive been trying to focus on fruit and sticking with my whole grain bread instead of crackers and so far so good. Ive gained about 3lbs so far, and Im hoping to keep it there until my 12 weeks ends. Ive been doing body pump 2x a week but still have not been able to get myself back to the 4x a week cardio I was doing previously. Im just so darn tired, and I have a 2yr old to boot that runs me ragged.
Anyway, I was so glad to see so may posts. It is nice to know there are folks able to stay on track with lc, it makes me even more determined to get back to better eating.
Leasa
edd Aug 04

[Lawbooks]

{{{hugs}}} Leasa!

You are doing just fine.
It can be so hard when nothing sounds good to you... and I had those awful food and smell aversions with my first child, so I can definitely sympathize!
If you have only gained 3 pounds so far, I would not sweat it. Sounds like you are making healthy, whole-grain, low-glycemic food choices and that is best.
Keep up the good work and I hope things get easier for you soon,

Summer


www.herstorygirl.com

[sizzlingseven]

My husband and I went for our first ultrasound this morning. We saw the little munchkin in there - he/she was movin' around - showing off for mommy & daddy! Even though he/she is only about 3 inches, he/she was moving his legs and arms for us, and we could see the heartbeat. It was really cool! I'm glad my husband could see it - it makes it more real for him.

I'm still gaining weight rapidly.... up to 180 now, which is an 18 pound gain in 7 weeks. It's depressing, because I feel like I'm waddling already, and my skin feels all tight, but I'm not going to stress out over it, because that's not going to make me feel better either. I know its the carbs that's making me gain the weight, but that's all I want to eat right now, so I have to decide whether I want to eat whatever I want and worry about losing the weight later, or whether I want to put restrictions on myself so that I feel better about my body now, which is really just an image issue. I'm torn between the two.

I'm going to go to the gym today, and try to get focused again.

Hope everyone else had a great Superbowl weekend. Have a healthy week!

Niki
162/180/190
Preggers since 11/10/03
Due 8/16/04
LCing since 10/21/03