What To Do With the Pregnant Low-Carber...

Submitted by Lawbooks on Mon, 08/25/2003 - 05:00.

Pregnancy

NOTE: I am NOT a physician nor do I pretend to offer any medical advice. This article is simply my perspective and the reader should treat it as such. Anyone who is pregnant or nursing should seek the advice of an Obstetrician and/or Pediatrician before beginning any form of diet, low-carb or otherwise.

It may seem like a strange way to announce something so personal, but I consider this site to be my low-carb *family*, so here goes: I'm pregnant. And this seems to be a topic that has been cropping up on our boards quite frequently! What happens to our low-carb woe (way of eating) when we become pregnant?

You've heard the warnings; Even the late Dr. Atkins strongly urged pregnant or nursing mothers to forego the weight-loss part of his diet and stick to the safer, maintenance level. And every pregnancy book on the shelf will tell you that weight-loss should never be a goal while pregnant.

But what if it's not "weight-loss" you are trying to achieve? What if you NEED to control your food intake for the sake of your baby's—as well as your own—health?

I have lost fifty pounds while eating low-carb, but I am still a long way from my *ideal weight*. To further complicate matters, I am a type II diabetic. Thanks to my low-carb way of eating, I have remained within normal insulin and blood sugar levels for the past year. Additionally, the PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), which seriously threatened my fertility, has been overcome by following an Atkins/Protein Power approach for more than a year. Naturally, I do not want to undo all the good I have achieved. And yes, it would have been *ideal* for me to reach my goal weight before becoming pregnant, but sometimes, life can't wait. You can't keep putting off living your life until all conditions are optimal. Sometimes you have to take a chance and hope for the best.

This pregnancy was planned and I spent the many months prior studying and reading everything I could get my hands on regarding pregnancy and alternative, "non-ketogenic" diets. This is what I have learned:

1) The truth is that we don't know whether or not ketosis is harmful to the fetus. There just isn't enough information available and no one wants to volunteer their unborn child for the research. So, until more is known, it's best to assume that ketosis is NOT a safe state for an expectant mother.

2) Losing weight should never be the priority for an expecting mother, but if the mother is significantly overweight, avoiding excessive weight-gain—healthfully—should be.

3) Those with adult-onset diabetes—or who are at risk for gestational diabetes—need to monitor their blood sugar and insulin levels closely. Eating foods that are low on the GLYCEMIC INDEX is one way to safely and effectively manage those levels.

4) There are many safe, non-ketogenic, lower-carb (not low-carb) plans available that are suitable for a pregnant or nursing mother. These include The Zone, Somersizing, and Schwarzbein— just to name a few. The key is to plan well and keep a journal of your meals to ensure adequate protein and carbohydrate intake.

For myself, I have chosen to follow a Schwarzbein /Glycemic Index** approach. This means that I will be eating considerably more carbohydrates than I did while following Atkins, but I will make healthy carbohydrate choices which will have a negligible impact on my blood glucose and insulin levels. I will include lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains like oats and barley. By moderating my carb intake in this way, I *should* be able to avoid excessive weight gain while ensuring my baby receives enough calories for healthy, normal growth.

In addition, I will continue to drink one gallon (128 oz.) of water per day and I am taking a prescription prenatal vitamin. Naturally, I am keeping a food journal and monitoring my blood glucose levels, both fasting and two hours post-prandial. I am following a moderate exercise program of 30 minutes cardio, 4-6 times per week, with some very light, weight-resistance training 2x per week. My doctor is aware, and she approves of my choices.

Pregnancy should be a time of joy and elation, but if you have a history of excessive pregnancy weight gain (as I do) it can put a damper on those happy feelings. The key is to maintain control. Educate yourself.

Read everything you can about the Glycemic index and eating a balanced diet for two. Talk with your doctor and relay any fears you may have about weight gain during pregnancy. He or she may be able to advise you as to which plan is best for you.

There-s no reason for you to discard low-carb as your way of life; simply make "lower-carb" your pregnancy-way-of-eating!

** Schwarzbein, Diana, MD. The Schwarzbein Principle II: The Transition. Health Communications, Inc., Deerfield Beach, Florida; 2002
** Brand-Miller, Jennie, PhD., et.al. The New Glucose Revolution. Marlowe & Company, New York; 2003