Which low carb is 'best' for IVF/TTC??

ElizabethG · 06-05-2012, 06:12 PM

Hello everyone!

DH and I have been TTC for 4 years now. I lost some weight a few years ago for this but once I started treatments I gained some of it back. We've done several IUIs and one IVF so far. I am currently pregnant with an ectopic pregnancy. I just had my 2nd dose of methotrexate today.

Due to this I have to wait at least 3 months before trying again. So I thought for the next 3 months I would focus on losing weight so I would be healthy for my next IVF try.

When I asked my doctor which diet would be 'best' he just said everything in moderation. However I've read online low carb/high protein helps egg development. So I'd like to do low carb. My DH lost over 100 lbs on Atkins a few years ago (we lost together) but then he got really sick and went off his diet (doctor's orders) and he's gained about half of that back. So HE wants to go back on Atkins, but I'd prefer something more like South Beach since I love my fruits and dairy. lol DH likes his cheese and beef though so Atkins is more his style. Luckily both phase 1s are similar so I think I will just do 2 weeks of phase 1 and then move onto the next phase of one or the other. Or maybe there is another diet I'm not thinking of. I'm open to suggestions.

I also need something as easy as possible with working full time (lunches at work and easy fast breakfast in the am) and a very supportive online community. I am very active on my infertility boards but I'd like to take a 'break' from them for the next 3 months so I'd like another supportive group to join.

Any suggestions??

Thanks in advance!

gab · 06-05-2012, 06:15 PM

Come join us... Baby Talk - all planning on TTC, TTC, pregnant, and new moms welcome!

My reproductive endo told me to go LC - he recommended south beach or Atkins.

It was very successful for me.

ElizabethG · 06-05-2012, 06:45 PM

Thanks! I saw that but no way I could catch up!!! lol Congrats on your little bundle of joy!!!

gab · 06-05-2012, 07:13 PM

No need to catch up - just jump in. We are in all stages with various experiences.

ElizabethG · 06-06-2012, 08:40 AM

Thanks! I might join in. Trying to keep my mind off babies though and it will be hard looking at all your cuties.

I think I've decided to start with Atkins and switch to South Beach if I have major issues. I just think theoretically Atkins will be easier since DH is doing it too. But long term South Beach is much more my eating style. I have read both the books. I own the ebook of the new Atkins book and have the South Beach Supercharged book from my library. I tried Atkins for a short time back when DH was doing it before but couldn't stick with it. I have more motivation now (the IVF).

I'm still open to suggestions though if someone else is reading this.

I think if I got pregnant I'd have issues staying low carb. The methotrexate messes with my stomach giving me upset stomach, diahreah etc and crackers are the only thing that help. I can only imagine that morning sickness would be similiar. I haven't started induction yet. DH and I are currently cleaning out all our carby foods, but I only bought low carb food at the store yesterday so by the end of the week or early next week we should both be on induction.

gab · 06-06-2012, 11:34 AM

I understand. Took me four years of not preventing and a year of help before creating my little one.

I wish you all the best! I stayed at 20 carbs induction level for 6 months. Then found I could go all the way up to 100 carbs a day before I was out of ketosis. That's where I stayed for the first trimester of my pregnancy.

I need to get back to lc eating.

Sending you lots of whoosh fairy dust your way!

06-05-2012, 06:12 PM	#1
ElizabethG Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 9 Gallery: ElizabethG Stats: 240/226/140 WOE: Atkins	Which low carb is 'best' for IVF/TTC?? Hello everyone! DH and I have been TTC for 4 years now. I lost some weight a few years ago for this but once I started treatments I gained some of it back. We've done several IUIs and one IVF so far. I am currently pregnant with an ectopic pregnancy. I just had my 2nd dose of methotrexate today. Due to this I have to wait at least 3 months before trying again. So I thought for the next 3 months I would focus on losing weight so I would be healthy for my next IVF try. When I asked my doctor which diet would be 'best' he just said everything in moderation. However I've read online low carb/high protein helps egg development. So I'd like to do low carb. My DH lost over 100 lbs on Atkins a few years ago (we lost together) but then he got really sick and went off his diet (doctor's orders) and he's gained about half of that back. So HE wants to go back on Atkins, but I'd prefer something more like South Beach since I love my fruits and dairy. lol DH likes his cheese and beef though so Atkins is more his style. Luckily both phase 1s are similar so I think I will just do 2 weeks of phase 1 and then move onto the next phase of one or the other. Or maybe there is another diet I'm not thinking of. I'm open to suggestions. I also need something as easy as possible with working full time (lunches at work and easy fast breakfast in the am) and a very supportive online community. I am very active on my infertility boards but I'd like to take a 'break' from them for the next 3 months so I'd like another supportive group to join. Any suggestions?? Thanks in advance!

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06-05-2012, 06:15 PM	#2
gab Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NY Posts: 2,803 Gallery: gab WOE: Atkins Start Date: March 6, 2013	Come join us... Baby Talk - all planning on TTC, TTC, pregnant, and new moms welcome! My reproductive endo told me to go LC - he recommended south beach or Atkins. It was very successful for me.

06-05-2012, 06:45 PM	#3
ElizabethG Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 9 Gallery: ElizabethG Stats: 240/226/140 WOE: Atkins	Thanks! I saw that but no way I could catch up!!! lol Congrats on your little bundle of joy!!!

06-05-2012, 07:13 PM	#4
gab Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NY Posts: 2,803 Gallery: gab WOE: Atkins Start Date: March 6, 2013	No need to catch up - just jump in. We are in all stages with various experiences.

06-06-2012, 08:40 AM	#5
ElizabethG Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 9 Gallery: ElizabethG Stats: 240/226/140 WOE: Atkins	Thanks! I might join in. Trying to keep my mind off babies though and it will be hard looking at all your cuties. I think I've decided to start with Atkins and switch to South Beach if I have major issues. I just think theoretically Atkins will be easier since DH is doing it too. But long term South Beach is much more my eating style. I have read both the books. I own the ebook of the new Atkins book and have the South Beach Supercharged book from my library. I tried Atkins for a short time back when DH was doing it before but couldn't stick with it. I have more motivation now (the IVF). I'm still open to suggestions though if someone else is reading this. I think if I got pregnant I'd have issues staying low carb. The methotrexate messes with my stomach giving me upset stomach, diahreah etc and crackers are the only thing that help. I can only imagine that morning sickness would be similiar. I haven't started induction yet. DH and I are currently cleaning out all our carby foods, but I only bought low carb food at the store yesterday so by the end of the week or early next week we should both be on induction.

06-06-2012, 11:34 AM	#6
gab Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NY Posts: 2,803 Gallery: gab WOE: Atkins Start Date: March 6, 2013	I understand. Took me four years of not preventing and a year of help before creating my little one. I wish you all the best! I stayed at 20 carbs induction level for 6 months. Then found I could go all the way up to 100 carbs a day before I was out of ketosis. That's where I stayed for the first trimester of my pregnancy. I need to get back to lc eating. Sending you lots of whoosh fairy dust your way!