Keto diet and pregnancy is it safe

[poshpie]

Hi all- I am seeing so many conflicting information online regarding being pregnant and following the keto diet! I have been on this diet for a year now and it is very much a way of life - but on I am now 5weeks pregnant and I don't know what to do - some articles say it's bad bad bad, sone say it's the best! What your thoughts??

Well I have hyperemesis and everytime I get ketones I have to be hospitalised as it can be dangerous for the baby, so I'd say it's a no.

No. I had hyperemesis and all my doctors stressed that avoiding ketosis was very important.
If you end up with ketones you could be hospitalized. I narrowly avoided hospitalization.

I would say bulk it up so you're getting the right calories etc. Slimming world diet plan and recipes can be followed in pregnancy x

I wasn’t hospitalised but the midwife was very insistent when there were ketones in my urine about how to try and combat it with diet and I had to go back for a second appointment later that week to check just in case.

I think you should avoid it at all costs.

Hi, no it's not safe because of ketones. You don't have to go carb mad but certainly should eat some.

I agree, it isn't safe. baby also needs a balanced variety of different nutrients, so being super low carb will mean you are naturally cutting off some of that variety. Opt for high fibre carbs like wholegrains and veges if that makes you feel healthier but definitely don't cut carbs/make 80 percent of your diet fats based - its just not enough variety!

Once morning sickness kicks in (if it does) you may find all you can eat is white bread anyway haha. I lived on mainly fruit and bread and crackers for a few weeks there.

I am back on the carbs ladies haha Thank you for all your replies

I have gestational diabetes and cut back heavily on my carbs when diagnosed in order to control my blood sugars. The midwives were adamant that I needed to increase my carb intake as the baby needs carbs and can't "fat adapt" to burn fat for fuel in the way the mother can - they would have put me on medication if required to control my blood sugar while allowing me to eat enough carbs for baby. Although no where close to keto levels, you do eat a "lower carb" diet with gestational diabetes, and the general NHS guidance is a minimum of 150g carbs per day for gestational diabetes. However, I was really struggling to eat much due to extreme nausea and I was referred to a dietician for help, who was happy for me to aim for to have an absolute minimum of 100g carbs per day (whilst still aiming for 150g).

@poshpie I bet you are. It's not really your decision what you end up eating it becomes the babies 😉. And unfortunately or fortunately that will 100 percent be potato based from week six onwards. Good luck with your pregnancy and just go for it op, once you start feeling sick the last thing on your mind will be a diet at this stage