[michladny]

I haven't looked up this info yet but does anyone know how many carbs are considered "safe" during preganancy(what a safe amount to eat is without going back to the old ways)? I read somewhere it is 100 daily but I am not sure and I do not like to have incorrect information ESPECIALLY when I am going to give it to someone else

I have someone who is wanting to start a family and lose a few pounds first and she saw me recently and was like "WOW, what are you doing?" and when I told her she seemed VERY interested but was concerned what she would do WHEN she finally was pregnant. She said she did not want to go through so much change and then blow it during pregnancy (which I agree with her).

I am going to look around today and if anyone has any info or links I can forward to her that would be such a great help to me!!!! Considering I would like to add to my family too soon the info would benefit more than one person!!!

THANKS AND HAVE A GREAT LC DAY!!!

Michelle
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[Dingie_Dinah]

http://atkins.com/helpatkins/newfaq/answers/CanIFollowTheAtkinsNutritionalApproachWhile.html


I found this section at www.atkins.com i did a search for "pregnant". there were a lot of answers, this is just one.

hope this helps!
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Dingie Dinah
Stella Style since 5/2003

May you always have
Love to Share,
Health to Spare,
And Friends Who Care

"Nothing Tastes as Good as Thin and Healthy Feels"

'Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'

[michladny]

Dinah,

Thanks!!! I told her this morning to try the Atkins website too ... at least I know I gave her good info

Michelle
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[dansonya]

I got Gestational diabetes with my second child and was put on a modified Atkins program to control it. It worked fabulously, I didn't have to take any meds and I even lost 6 lbs the last 3 months of the pregnancy for a net gain of 12 lbs. I never counted my carbs, I just ate lots of protein, good veggies, lots of berries, one or two slices of low carb bread a day and once or twice a week, added in some dried beans for the added fiber. I avoided all sugar, flour, and starchy veggies (except the occasional beans), rice and pasta. My son was born The day before his scheduled induction (scheduled 2 weeks early because of the worry of an overly large baby due to the GD). He decided to come on his own, and weighed in at 7lbs 6 oz, and has been the picture of health. He is 4 years old, extremely smart, only goes to the doctor ffor well baby checkups (so far now). I was warned to stay below a hundred grams, and not to drop below 60 by the doctor. I can never count things like carbs or calories, because when I start thinking about it, I get hungry (mental, I know). So I pretty much just did it my way and avoided the carby stuff.

[jkmfrog]

you can imagine that there is a lot of debate about low carbbing during pregnancy - I've been reading up on it a bit. Not pregnant, but had some questions because that might be something in the future (or not) and because I have a friend who wants to lc and just had a baby and had questions about breastfeeding , but I digress...

Many folks say low carb to your hearts content, but don't do induction levels (20 carbs). Do "maintenance" levels which I think are in the 60-100 range. Now - some docs are going to tell you no way should you low carb during pregnancy. Atkins himself backed off on reccomending low carb during pregnancy but that was probably because 1) he had not done any studies on pregnant women 2) he did not want to be sued.

There is a whole group of folks who think that low carb is perfectly fine because women were doing it for most of human evolution (for a modern example look at the Inuit population - almost no carbs, very healthy babies). The other side says hey - why risk it - just eat "normally" or says its dangerous and you are taking a big risk. I for one think this is a perfectly normal way of eating and very very healthy for anyone.

You are not going to find studies that say its ok, few studies are done on pregnant already healthy women. The lc studies done on pregnant women were all women with diabetes who needed to be on lc diets. You'll have to make up your own mind about doing it, and if so what ammout of carbs you would eat.

I will say that since the goal is not to lose weight, you can eat more carbs than during a weight loss phase. If it were me I would still be staying away from white stuff and chosing carbs in the form of good veggies and some fruits. If grains are not a problem then maybe eating some brown rice, or non-wheat grains. oh, and raw nuts too! I'm not an expert - this is just my opinion. Best of luck with everything!

[michladny]

Did anyone see the article on msn.com about Low Carb might be responsible for birth defects due to women not eating enough things that are fortified with folic acid (breads, cereals, orange juice etc...)????? Wouldn't a supplement fix this while on Low Carb?
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[jkmfrog]

if it is a folic acid issue then a supplement should help - many women don't realize they should start supplementing before they get pregnant however. Was that based on a study? or just an assumption that women don't get enough folic acid on lc? Honesty I've heard that most women don't get enough folic acid - not just low carbers.