The Atkins Diet promises rapid, impressive weight loss, which can sound appealing to a new mother interested in returning to pre-pregnancy size as quickly as possible. However, the Atkins Diet, like other low-carb diets, may not be the best choice for a woman who is breastfeeding. Before embarking on your weight-loss journey, learn how the Atkins Diet works and how it may affect your health, your milk supply and your baby's health.
Atkins Diet
The Atkins Diet involves cutting carbohydrate consumption to levels between 20 and 100 grams per day to convert your body from burning carbohydrates for energy to burning fat. People on the Atkins plan often experience rapid weight loss, up to 15 pounds in the first two weeks. However, the diet can be difficult to follow because of its strict rules. The diet has four phases, with slightly increased carbohydrate intake and slightly slower weight loss in each successive phase. The final phase is the maintenance phase, in which the dieter keeps carbohydrate intake at a level that prevents regaining back the weight that was lost in previous phases.
Breastfeeding and Atkins
Because of the low carbohydrate intake of the Atkins Diet, women who are nursing a baby are advised not to use most phases of this diet. The final maintenance phase may be safe for breastfeeding women, but all other phases are off-limits, according to the official Atkins website. One major concern for nursing mothers regarding the Atkins diet is that the significant weight loss seen in the first phase can halt milk production entirely. Another problem common to low-carb diets such as Atkins is dehydration, which can also impact milk supply. Burning so much fat can also cause the release of toxins stored in fat, which can make their way into the baby via the breast milk. Finally, individuals on the Atkins plan often go into ketosis, a state in which the body produces compounds called ketones when fat is burned for energy. Ketones might travel into the milk, but the effect on the nursing infant is unknown.
Options and Alternatives
Sometimes, a nursing mother chooses to follow some of the tenets of the Atkins diet while modifying other aspects to protect her own and her baby's health. If you choose to do this, you should maintain a carbohydrate level equal to or greater than the amount allowed on the maintenance level. Some other low-carb diets, such as the South Beach Diet, also have later phases that may be acceptable while breastfeeding. Do not cut caloric intake below about 1,800 per day, since this is the minimum needed to maintain milk supply.
Considerations
If you choose to try a modified version of the Atkins Diet while still nursing your infant, keep a close eye on your milk supply so that you can make adjustments if necessary. You can keep track by noting any changes in pumped volume if you regularly pump your milk. Otherwise, watch the number of wet and dirty diapers your baby produces, since a decrease in output typically means there is a problem with how much milk the baby is taking in. Before going on any diet while nursing a baby, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian to determine the amount of calories and nutrients you and your baby need.
Member Comments