Doing low carb. Can I continue during pregnancy or add carbs

amother

↑ Hyacinth

Thu, Aug 08 2024, 11:23 pm

amother OP wrote:

So what are some practical suggestions to ensure the above?

Eat a nutrient dense diet
Take extra chromium, vanadium, potassium, magnesium, and Thiamine.

Support your liver: castor oil packs, milk Thistle, methylated b vitamins, minimize environmental toxins, avoid Tylenol and chlorine

amother

↑ OP

Yesterday at 10:55 pm

shanie5 wrote:

Carbs break down into glucose. Proteins and fats not so much. The body will make any glucose it needs from protein and fat. So carbs are not necessary.

Why don't you get a cgm and monitor your glucose. If it gets too low, you'll know you need carbs. If it stays level, you'll know you're fine without them.
Personally, if I was pregnant, I'd specifically stick to my ketogenic diet. If it's made me healthier, it won't hurt the baby. Wish I knew better during my childbearing years.

Just following up to say that my body told me loud and clear that it needed more, so I did add more carbs.
When I was doing low carb before pregnancy, I was not hungry. The protein/fat/veg kept me quite full.
During pregnancy, it doesn't nearly cut it. I get really starving and very nauseous unless I eat more substantially, and unless I do so regularly.

I am trying very hard to eat healthier carbs- fruit, whole grain, seed crackers, chicpeas, sweet potatoes, etc. but I actually find it harder to do some carbs than no carbs. I guess like an alcoholic finds it easier to do no alchohol than just a half a cup.

amother

↑ Khaki

Yesterday at 11:07 pm

I was also on a very low carb diet before pregnancy. Once I was pregnant, I assumed I'd just continue eating the same way. By about 10 weeks, I suddenly started to feel so sick. It took me a week or so to figure it out, but I eventually realized that my body needed carbs. I started eating healthy carbs in small portions with each meal, things like oats, brown rice, quinoa, sweet potato. I also used to never eat after 8pm but now I can't make it if I don't eat again before I go to sleep. I start getting way too nauseous so I eat something small before bed, I try for a carb and protein then too.

amother

Amethyst

Yesterday at 11:28 pm

Healthy unprocessed carbs, sweet potato, chick peas, lentils, split peas, barley, oatmeal, kasha have a lot of nutrients that are good for you and baby. If you weigh your food, try 2-4 oz at a meal or measure 1/2 cup to a cup at a meal. There’s a lot of conflicting information out there but I wouldn’t be comfortable eliminating an entire food group when pregnant. Don’t eat sugary carbs. You don’t need sugar, dates, honey but healthy grains and legumes are your friend when your pregnant. Of course run it by your doctor or midwife before you try any restrictive diet.

amother

Cyclamen

Today at 12:22 am

amother Antiquewhite wrote:

I would recommend working with a dietician to create a specific plan based on you and your needs. For both your own health and that of your unborn child.
I will say I remember my friend, who also had gestational diabetes saying that it wasn't the carbs that usually triggered her blood sugar levels. She used to test herself after eating and could see a pattern of which foods caused a rise and which didn't.

yes my friend had GD and she worked with a nutritionist and she HAD to have carbs by every meal I think...(balanced with protein etc.) it was limited, but it was necc....
too much protein isn't good either in general...personally I don't feel good when I went completely off carbs...nothing to do with pregnancy..

amother

Violet

Today at 12:33 am

With all due respect to all of us imas - why would you take the random advice of random unknown ppl here but not see an educated nutritionist?
My take , based on my own personal experience , would be to eat healthy carbs in moderation and always pair with protein. But what do I really know ? And I certainly don’t know anything about you ? Please , can it hurt to go at least one time to a professional to get an educated assessment?
Wishing you a joyous healthy pregnancy and birth bshaa tova umitzlachas.

synthy

Today at 12:39 am

amother OP wrote:

Try pairing complex carbs with fat and protein, that keeps you full a lot longer than each one separately. Also, I get you. I’m ravenous in pregnancy and need carbs.