Many misconceptions exist when it comes to food and pregnancy. The keto diet is very popular right now. It is high fat and low carb. Is the keto diet safe to use during pregnancy? What are the risks of using the keto diet during pregnancy? Here’s the bottom line.
The ketogenic lifestyle is a low-carb high-fat and moderate protein diet. The ketogenic diet is designed to make your body use fat as fuel, instead of carbs. The keto diet reduces carbohydrate intake, which can lead to weight loss.
Keto diets have become more popular in recent years. This is due to the many health benefits it offers, such as weight loss, lower blood sugar levels and reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease.
What is the Ketogenic Lifestyle?
The ketogenic (or “keto”) diet is commonly known by the shorthand ketosis. It is a high quality, high-protein and low-carb diet. The goal is for your body to reach ketosis. This will allow it to burn more fat and provide you with more energy. This method is popular for its effectiveness in weight loss. This is likely to be one of many reasons it works.
Experts suggest that the Keto Diet could help with weight loss and mental clarity. While the ketogenic diet is popular, little scientific evidence has been available to prove their safety and effectiveness in pregnancy.
Ketones are compounds found in the liver that function as cellular power sources and replace glucose (our most common fuel source). They can be used in the same way as other fuels but they have cleaning properties that allow cells to rid themselves of unwanted products.
Keto Diet Safe to Use for Pregnant Women
The keto diet can pose health risks to both mother and baby. These include hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis, early labor and reduced blood flow. It is vital that both the mother’s and her baby’s diet be balanced, with carbs included. The keto diet decreases the amount of carbohydrates, saturated fats, calories and other essential nutrients.
Also, Hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis and other metabolic disorders can pose a threat to your pregnancy. Due to a decrease in calories, you could also risk inducing premature labor. It is not a good idea for expectant mothers to have reduced blood flow during pregnancy through starvation or poisoning due to altered brain chemistry.
Low-carbohydrate diets, whether for kidney disease patients or gestational diabetics, are generally considered safe and efficient. Ketogenic diets are not recommended for pregnant women in good health. They should be supervised by registered dietitians and doctors who are well-versed in the use of ketogenic diets and can monitor the pregnancy for any potential side effects.
