The Atkins diet focuses on eating lean proteins and a variety of vegetables and healthy fats while avoiding refined carbohydrates and trans-fats, according to the Atkins website. While you can eat a very healthy diet on Atkins, you should not be in the ketosis phase during pregnancy because it may be dangerous for your baby, according to Carol Jean Lammi-Keefe, R.D., PhD., author of "Handbook of Nutrition and Pregnancy."
How the Atkins Plan Works
The Atkins diet works by starting dieters off in an induction phase, in which they will consume less than 20 grams of carbohydrates per day to put the dieter into ketosis and jump-start weight loss. From there, the dieter gradually increases her intake of carbohydrates by 5 g a week until she is at a baseline level suitable for her body's nutritional needs and sustainable weight loss. When the dieter reaches her goal weight, she will enter a maintenance plan where she keeps her carbohydrate consumption just below the amount that would cause weight gain.
Ketosis
In the induction phase of Atkins, the dieter must enter ketosis. Ketosis occurs when your body switches to burning fat instead of glucose, according to the Mayo Clinic website. Ketogenic diets have several benefits, such as being easy to follow and successful for pre-diabetic and insulin-resistant dieters. Adkins mproves HDL and LDL cholesterol levels and reduces the loss of muscle mass that is often associated with weight loss diets, according to Trish Dunning, author of "Complementary Therapies and the Management of Diabetes and Vascular Disease."
Ketosis in Pregnancy
While you can focus on eating lean proteins and vegetables and avoiding sugar and refined carbohydrates during pregnancy, you should avoid going into ketosis, according to Anita Banjaree and Anne Dornhorst of the Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital. According to Carol Jean Lammi-Keefe, author of "Handbook of Nutrition and Pregnancy," there are few studies specifically on the effect of ketosis induced by a low-carbohydrate diet during pregnancy, but diabetic ketoacidosis -- a reaction to too little insulin -- in diabetic pregnant women has been known to cause stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, birth defects and macrosomia. It is not known whether this translates into dangers from low-carb ketosis.
Low Carbohydrate Diets During Pregnancy
In his book "New Diet Revolution," Dr. Atkins recommended that pregnant women avoid the weight loss phases of the Atkins diet. However, he stated that you can follow the maintenance phase of the plan, which is more liberal in the amount of carbohydrates you can consume. You can follow a diet in which you only consume lean proteins, vegetables and high-fiber, nutrient-dense carbohydrates during pregnancy, but you should consult your obstetrician or nutritionist to make sure that you are eating enough carbohydrates and the correct kinds of carbohydrates.
References
- Atkins.com: Truths and Myths
- Mayo Clinic: Atkins Diet - What's Behind The Myths?
- "Handbook of Nutrition and Pregnancy"; Carol Jean Lammi-Keefe; 2008
- "A Practical Manual of Diabetes in Pregnancy"; David McCance, et al.; 2010
- "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution"; Robert C. Atkins; 2002
- "Complementary Therapies and the Management of Diabetes and Vascular Disease"; Trish Dunning; 2006
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