Who's doing strict low carb during pregnancy?

[ljh150]

I'm 6 wks. pregnant, and want to eat lc all the way through. I lost over 100 lbs. after my last pregnancy, on Atkins, and don't want to regain it! I've already eaten some junk thus far, but today I've been strict and plan to continue. I'm going to focus on quality proteins and lots of lc veggies, yogurt, and only occasionally lc fruits. I do eat organic as much as possible. I'm very interested in hearing others experience w/ a lc pregnancy. Thanks!

[5foot2eyesofblue]

Not pregnant, but this may help...

I've posted this before - good luck!



From the Atkins website:

A Mother-to-Be Does Atkins
Valerie Berkowitz, M.S., R.D., C.D.E.
On October 23, supervisor of education and research for Atkins Health & Medical Information Services Valerie Berkowitz gave birth to twins. Gabrielle and Aiden weighed in at 5 and 6 pounds, respectively. Congratulations to Valerie and her husband, Keith. While she was expecting, Val was more careful than ever about her eating habits.

I'm pregnant? I'm pregnant! A million and one questions are racing through my head as my joy competes with twinges of concern. There’s one thing I'm sure of: that I'll be able to provide my babies—I'm having twins—with the best environment in which to grow.

I’m a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, so nutrition is what I do best. I understand the importance of eating adequate amounts of a variety of nutrient-rich foods—and there is nothing more important to a growing fetus than good nutrition. I have been following a controlled carbohydrate lifestyle for several years and will continue to do so throughout my pregnancy. During pregnancy I’m following the guidelines of the Lifetime Maintenance phase of the Atkins Nutritional Approach™, which is the most liberal in carbohydrate intake. (The weight-loss phases of Atkins are not appropriate for pregnant or lactating women.) This phase will not only ensure normal growth for my babies and help prevent potential complications, such as neural-tube defects and gestational diabetes. It will also keep me healthy.

As you can see from my typical daily menu, listed below, I am eating lots of food with lots of variety, so I’m getting plenty of nutrients. My usual intake ranges between 100 and 150 grams of protein, 70 to 90 grams of carbs and approximately 1,800 to 2,000 calories. Interestingly, I have none of the cravings for specific foods that often plague pregnant women. Nor am I turned off by certain foods, another common side effect of pregnancy. After my first trimester my energy level was fine, meaning that I had no need to nap in the middle of the day. I attribute all these positive effects to my diet. For more information on having a healthy pregnancy, see Vitanutrients for Pregnancy and Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy.

Breakfast

1/2 avocado

Smoked salmon rolled around a teaspoon of cream cheese

Sliced tomato and onion

Midmorning snack

2 meatballs on Atkins bread

Lunch

Large salad made of greens, tomato, cucumber, artichoke, asparagus, mushrooms, broccoli, red cabbage, walnuts and onion, dressed with olive or flaxseed oil and vinegar

Chicken breast cutlet

Midafternoon snack

Berries with cottage cheese

Dinner

Steak

Sautéed spinach and red peppers in garlic and oil

Steamed asparagus

Peach


Snack Time

Even with years of nutrition education under my rapidly expanding belt, when I was feeling tired and nauseous in the early months I sometimes found it hard to eat the right foods. That’s why it is important to have a few light, high-protein foods handy at all times. My favorites are:

Cottage cheese served with melon cubes, grapefruit, strawberries or blueberries
1/2 tablespoon peanut butter with 1/3 banana or 1 teaspoon of low-carb strawberry jam on Atkins bread
Atkins Advantage™ Bars
Atkins™ Strawberry Shake
Sliced turkey (or any other sliced meat) rolled up with lettuce, tomato and cucumber
Hard-boiled eggs
1/2 tuna salad sandwich on Atkins bread and 1/2 cup whole milk
2 high-protein veggie burgers with mustard
Tofu with tomato and cheese
Nuts or seeds


Valerie Berkowitz, M.S., R.D., C.D.E., is supervisor of education and research at Atkins Health & Medical Information Services.

**************************************
Also from the website:

Can I follow the Atkins Nutritional Approach while I'm pregnant?

Weight loss is not recommended while you are pregnant or breastfeeding, so the Atkins Lifetime Maintenance phase is ideal during this time. As with all phases of Atkins, build your eating program around protein, including meat, poultry and seafood, and healthy natural fats such as olive and flaxseed oil and avocados. Eat plenty of vegetables and one serving of fruit such as strawberries, blueberries or grapefruit daily. Instead of hydrogenated oils, consume healthy fats, seeds and nuts. Cook meat well but don't burn it—heavily charred meats can be unhealthy. Be sure to drink plenty of water. Try to walk 30 minutes a day at a comfortable pace. Avoid getting overheated during exercise and be sure to get plenty of rest. And have fun, this is a very special time!

Expect to gain at least 27 pounds over the full nine months—which will include baby, placenta and fluid. The weight should all come off a few weeks after delivery. Nursing your baby burns more calories and contracts your uterus, so it's good for both of you.

When pregnant or nursing, supplement your diet with the following nutrients daily:
Calcium: 1,000 mg
Magnesium: 500 mg
Zinc: 50 mg

[LunaAshling]

We have discussed in amount of good carb to low carb to even ketosis over in the PG thread.


Come on over!


And I low carb as much as possible around being ill!

[LunaAshling]

Here is the link to last week: Pregnant or Trying thread for November 6th -13th


For any new moms......... each week is a new thread and there are many! You can run a search and read back through alot of good posts!

[moonmirror]

Hi all,
I'm 21 weeks pregnant. I was on the boards a lot before I got pg, but then after I conceived I was horribly nauseous and couldn't handle protein foods very well (I could only eat cheese, beans, and peanut butter). I went off plan and started gaining very fast. Now, only 21 weeks later I am already 24 pounds up. I'm gaining way too fast.

Yesterday I decided to do a modified-lowcarb thing to slow it down. I'm eating everything but sugars, breads and most cereals, basically. It is hard. Wow, I forgot how used to sugar consumption we get. But I know it isn't good for the baby and I also know I need to slow this rapid weight gain down.

[LunaAshling]

Come on over to the pg/ttc thread hun! Good to see you around again!