Low Carb Diets and Pregnancy

When you’re talking about low carb diets and pregnancy, or any diet and pregnancy for that matter, it’s important to discuss it with your obstetrician. Every woman, every baby and every pregnancy is different, and only your obstetrician can tell you what is best for you and your pregnancy.

With that said, however, low carb diets and pregnancy are usually not a problem as long as you heat a healthy low carb diet. Here are some ways to make your low carb diet and pregnancy healthy for you and your baby.

Eliminate White Carbs

“White” carbs are white flour and sugar; they are highly refined, over processed ingredients that have been stripped of their nutritional value. They are simply empty calories and nobody ever needs these carbs. Sure, it’s okay to have a sugary treat now and then such as a slice of birthday cake or an occasional cookie. Just remember that it’s a treat, not nutrition.

Eliminate Alcohol

Whether you are eating a low carb diet or not, do not drink alcohol while you are pregnant. It is not good for your baby’s developing brain, and can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. You do not have to drink much alcohol to endanger your baby.

Moderately Low Carb Diets and Pregnancy

Shoot for at least 65-75 grams of carbohydrate a day. That is enough carbohydrate to keep ketones (waste products from burning fat for energy) from building up in your body. It’s enough carbohydrate for you to get good nutrition and to prevent problems as very low carb diets and pregnancy don’t mix.

Veggies, Fruits and Whole Grains

Try to get about 2/3 of your carbohydrates from vegetables. Vegetables have lots of important micronutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. They are relatively low in calories. About a1/6 of your carbs should come from low-sugar fruits, which are rich in phytonutrients that you and your baby need.

The rest of your carbs can come from whole grains. That means as unprocessed as possible—brown rice, whole wheat products, oats, etc. Whole grains are full of essential nutrients. Moderately low carb diets and pregnancy are fine when your carbs are nutrient-rich foods that pack lots of nutrition into each calorie.

Take Your Vitamins

It’s always a good idea to take a good prenatal vitamin while you are pregnant. With low carb diets and pregnancy, however, it’s even more important. You want to be sure that your baby gets all those vitamins and minerals, and a prenatal vitamin helps do that.