Is Atkins safe to start 1 yr before trying to conceive?

[Mg2]

I am 5'6 157 lbs and I am the MOH in a wedding in April. I want to lose about 20-25 lbs before this wedding. The problem is that we are planning to start trying to have a baby around this time next year. I don't know how healthy low carb (and ketosis) is while pregnant and while preparing my body for pregnancy. I want to be a healthy pregnant mama... THanks for any info on this

[Lisa Rae]

Mg2....

Iv'e been recently reading a lot on this topic () LOL and here's what I've gotten so far.

If your not pregnant yet..ketosis is fine and for some..can increse he chances of getting pregnant. One of the top reasons woman have trouble getting pregnant is being overweight (yu really don't have much to lose..but thought I'd add the info as I find it intresting) Once your officially pregnant..you can still do Atkins..just not be in ketosis. In a year..chances are you'll already be maintaneing and out of ketosis anyway! (woo hoo) but if your still trying to lose, you can just up your carbs to a minatenece level. Low-carbing is very healthy even if not trying to lose. So eating protein, veggies, fruit..and for maintnence whole grains is very healthy!

Some people aregue about being in ketosis..but here's what I get. Basically..there's just no research on being in ketosis and the unborn. I mean let's face it..they have barely scratch the surface of researching loe-carb in general. So because they don't know the long term effect ketosis may have developmentally..they suggest to not be in ketosis.

Once pregnant..you can do any low-carb program where your not in ketosis ( like maintenence levels of Atkins..or Sugar Busters has a great pregnancy program)

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

Very well put Lisa Rae!

Lifetime maintenance is appropriate for breastfeeding and pregnancy, but the weight loss phases where you may be producing ketones is not. The reason for this is because the only studies that observe ketosis in pregnancy or breast feeding are in uncontrolled diabetics who are in ketoacidosis, not the same thing as ketosis. Also, weight loss is never appropriate during pregnancy.

There are NO studies that show the safety of burning ketones and its effect on babies (either in utero or breast feeding). We do know that ketones are found in breast milk. Babies may have a different threshold of tolerating ketones than adults, maybe not, but this has not been shown in the scientific research and that is what we base all of our recommendations and guidance on, so we cannot promote that it is okay. So because we do not have long term studies validating the safety of ketones as a source of energy for babies, we cannot recommend following a ketogenic diet (Induction phase) during this time of your life.

[Lisa Rae]

Wow An..I'm 3 for 3 with you this week! Maybe I need to look into a job with you guys! (LOL) Just kidding..I love my job, not to mention the stress you guys must have on these boards!)

Almost makes up for my miss quotes from last week..almost

[Mg2]

I am on my way to weight loss now

[jhmart]

I did the Atkins plan for the year before I got preggers. In fact we were not even trying to conceive..but Lisa was right I was very fertile. Well maybe it was also I felt so good about the way I looked and felt that I was a little more frisky . Anyways I followed LC up until I was preggers then started again the day before I delievered with a modified plan including fruits and veggies. I was able to get back to goal a little over a year after having my baby. HTH

Good luck to you with your new hubby!
Jeni

Great advice on here..but one thing that was not mentioned was your increased need for Folic acid before you try to conceive..you should be taking a folic acid supplement , esp while low carbing, for several months prior to conception to prevent neural tube defects in the baby.

Good luck on the loss and with having a baby :hug

[Lisa Rae]

Mandy,

Great advice! and I should have rememeberd it. Actually..I was told by my doctor that any woman of child bareing age, regardless of trying to get pregnant or not, should be taking folic acid. Why if your not trying? well because accidents DO happen..just ask my amazing son

[Moopy]

I also did Atkins right up til the day I found out I was prego. My baby is completely healthy, as am I (just a little, ok a lot, heavier!). And yes, I think it does help with fertility. We got pregnant a month after we started trying!

Good luck, this is an exciting time!