Keto Diet and Pregnancy: Is The Low-Carb, High-Fat Weight Loss Plan Safe For Moms-To-Be?
By following the high-fat keto diet, you restrict the amount of fruit, vegetables and fibre you eat. You are also missing out on important vitamins and minerals you and your baby need, such as folic acid and calcium. Here's how it affects your pregnancy.
As much as some people swear by keto, the trendy low-carb, high-fat diet has equally been a controversial topic. Its benefits – which include weight loss, increased energy, and lower blood sugar levels – are persuasive enough to spark interest. But the increasing use of the ketogenic diet (KD), particularly by women of child-bearing age, raises a question about its suitability during gestation. Pregnancy requires you to take an extra 300 calories a day, so can restricting your diet be safe? Pros and Cons of Keto Diet: Brief Overview of Low Carb High Fat Ketogenic Food.
Ketosis – A serious Concern during Pregnancy
To date, no studies have thoroughly investigated the direct implications of a gestational ketogenic diet on embryonic development. While there is very little known about the effects of keto on a developing foetus, constantly being on ketosis can be a serious concern. When the body does not have enough glucose for energy, it burns fat instead. In the first trimester, your body is trying to store fat for energy that’s used later in pregnancy. Besides, the keto diet results in the build-up of ketones which can easily cross through the placenta. According to a study published in the BMC Pregnancy Cildbirth, a ketogenic diet during gestation results in alterations in embryonic organ growth. Such alterations may be associated with organ dysfunction and potentially behavioural changes in postnatal life. Here Are Dietician-Recommended Healthy Foods Mothers-to-Be Must Add in Their Diet.
A Few Beneficial Aspects of Keto Diet
That said, not all aspects of keto can be potentially harmful. Cutting down on processed foods and limiting sugar, and eating lots of healthy veggies can benefit your pregnancy. Of all the required nutrients, proteins play an important role in the development of foetal tissues, including in the expansion of breast and uterine tissues of the child-bearer. So if you have to follow a few healthy aspects of the diet, cutting down on refined foods and upping your protein intake are the only two rules you should pick. Keto Diet Is Killing Planet Earth Says Harvard Expert; 4 Reasons Why the Diet is Not Environment-Friendly.
Bottomline
Pregnancy is not a great time to start any weight loss diet. Since you are already compelled to lose weight after pregnancy, you must wait until you complete your gestation. By restricting carb-rich whole grains, beans, fruits and certain vegetables, you can easily fall short of fibre, vitamins and antioxidants. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein should be a part of a healthy pregnancy diet.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 03, 2019 01:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).