Low Carb Pregnancy

Should you...or shouldn't you?

There is a lot of chit chat on the old world wide web about whether your low carb lifestyle should be abandoned when you get pregnant.  When I was pregnant, I remembered wondering whether my dietary choices would have to change as a result of my growing baby bump.  There was little information out there.  Imagine my surprise when I stumbled on dietary advice on this exact topic from a long-time low carber and registered dietician, certfied diabetes educator, etc., Valerie Berkowitz, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., C.D.E.

Not only does Ms. Berkowitz have the credentials and experience to give this kind of advice, she practiced this advice when she was pregnant with twins, with excellent results.  

So, I won't keep you in suspense.  In her 2002 article, A Mother-to-Be does Atkins, Ms. Berkowitz discussed following the Atkins Lifetime Maintenance Plan during her pregnancy.  She describes her daily dietary intake as about 100-150 grams of protein, 70-90 grams of carbs, and approximately 1,800-2,000 calories per day.  Notably, she gave an example of a typical daily menu during pregnancy,  and it appears that she got most of her carbs from fresh, whole fruit and vegetables, not from starchy stuff and refined sugars.  

Are you in the midst of a low carb pregnancy?  Want to add a few healthy carbs to your diet?  Check out this article about the top 25 healthiest fruits for you to eat, along with a description of their nutritional value and benefits.  

What about a smoothie?  

Combine 1/2 large banana, 1/2 peach, 1/2 cup of fresh strawberries, 1/2 cup of fresh blueberries, and 1 container of Fage full fat plain yogurt, and blend.  Add water and a little Truvia to sweeten if needed.  

You will end up with about 43 grams of net carbs, good protein, probiotics, a ton of dietary fiber, and more micronutrients than I can possible count...

You know what, make that 2 smoothies, and you've hit your daily carb allowance for pregnancy.  Good on you, Mama!