Contents:
- Medical Video: 10 myths about exercise and diet during pregnancy
- You should not do a keto diet while pregnant
- Research shows that the keto diet affects the fetus
- Carbohydrates are needed by pregnant women
Medical Video: 10 myths about exercise and diet during pregnancy
The keto diet is one of the famous diets that are effective for losing weight. Many women are fans of this diet. However, can this diet be done by pregnant women? Or is the keto diet during pregnancy not recommended? Before going on a keto diet, first consider the explanation here.
You should not do a keto diet while pregnant
Sasa Watkins, RD, a child nutrition specialist nutritionist, said that a diet with low carbohydrate principles or a diet aimed at losing weight should not be done for pregnant women.
This also applies to the ketogenic diet which greatly limits carbohydrate intake. Because the diet like this might be dangerous for the fetus.
Having a low carbohydrate diet while pregnant can affect the weight and development of the womb. By limiting yourself from carbohydrates, making the fetus not get optimal nutrition.
This keto diet which has a low carbohydrate principle will make the mother's body burn protein and fat for energy. Besides energy, ketones are also produced in the process. Maternal ketones can move and enter the body of the fetus and risk causing symptoms of ketosis.
In adults, when the body experiences ketosis various symptoms will arise, ranging from dizziness, weakness, indigestion. Then if this ketone substance enters the fetus, there may be side effects that will also occur.
Keto diets also tend to be high in fat, and definitely limit the amount of fruit, vegetables, and fiber. Even though these foods are needed by pregnant women even in larger quantities than before pregnancy.
Research shows that the keto diet affects the fetus
Research published in the journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth in 2013 said that the keto diet can affect embryonic development. The keto diet causes organ dysfunction and has the potential to change a child's behavior after birth.
Keto diet research during pregnancy in humans is difficult and risky, so research is mostly done in mice. This study analyzed how the embryonic conditions of mice in rats were given a high-fat diet and a standard diet.
The result is that there are differences in the size of the embryo and the size of the organs in it. The difference in size from what is supposed to have the potential to affect the function of these organs.
The keto diet makes the fetus's heart size larger, but the size of the brain, pharynx, spinal cord, hypothalamus, midbrain, and liver becomes smaller.
Mice given a high-fat diet experienced an increase in the number of ketones in their bodies. This ketone substance is the main source of energy for mouse fetuses to grow and develop. This difference in energy sources causes the size of rat organs to be different from what they should be.
Carbohydrates are needed by pregnant women
Carbohydrates, especially complex carbohydrates are very necessary for pregnant women, of course, must be in the appropriate amount every day. In the recommendation of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, one of the requirements for eating for pregnant women is the amount of carbohydrate must be as much as 50-60 percent of the total daily energy.
These carbohydrates are the main energy source and source of fiber. High-fiber foods from complex carbohydrates can help relieve constipation, a common problem during pregnancy.
Complex carbohydrates can also make pregnant women full longer, because the body will digest more slowly. This can help pregnant women manage their weight, especially if the pregnant woman is overweight. By digesting more slowly this can also make the energy of pregnant women more stable.
Not only that, complex carbohydrates also include sources of minerals and vitamins, especially B vitamins needed by pregnant women. If you limit the amount of carbohydrates daily, then all these benefits will not be obtained by pregnant women.
Although it requires carbohydrates, it does not mean that pregnant women can freely eat foods that contain simple sugars such as sweet cakes should be consumed by many pregnant women.
Packaging cakes, sweet drinks, donuts are examples of food sources containing simple carbohydrates and high saturated fats. Of course this food needs to be limited because it will also endanger the fetal growth and development.
