Tell me about low-carb diets and breastfeeding...

[Ligmom]

Can anyone tell me if low-carb diets must put you into ketosis to be effective. I am still nursing my baby, and am worried it would be unhealthy for there to be ketones in my breastmilk. I need to lose close to 100 pounds...WOW! I am so overwhelmed by this. Any thoughts or suggestions are very appreciated Thanks...

[A&A]

Now's not the time to worry about losing weight. Just remember that you're burning all sorts of calories JUST by breastfeeding! So, you're doing great!

About "low' carbs........
What you really need to be doing, carb-wise, is eating COMPLEX carbs. (Which automatically have a low glycemic index.) Think WHOLE wheat, slow-cooking oatmeal, etc. Try to stay away from refined, processed (white) flour.

[Quirky]

Ditto. In my opinion low-carbing it a la Atkins is not a safe and effective way to lose weight. Here's what Kellymom has to say about breastfeeding and dieting, including Atkins:

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mo...eightloss.html

I have lost 65 pounds since ds was born in August 2002, the bulk of it from Feb. 2003 on. I'm still nursing him. Ideally I'd like to lose 15 more before getting pregnant again, we'll see. Here's what I've done:

1) Started exercising, both strength training and cardio. I don't belong to a gym, I do it at home. The more you exercise, and build muscle, the more you will burn calories even at rest.

2) Like the PP said, cut down/out simple/refined carbs like white bread, white pasta, and potatoes, and refocused on whole grains and beans for carbs. I'm a vegetarian, and eat limited low fat dairy and eggs, but I try to make the bulk of my diet whole grains, beans, fruits, and veggies (both cooked and uncooked). I have treats every now and then but I don't drink soda or eat candy or chips - I save my indulgence calories for the good stuff like a small bowl of premium ice cream.

3) Joined a support group (the weekly weight loss thread at MDC!) It helps so much to check in every week; it motivates me to stick with it so I can have some progress to report, and when things aren't going well I get the encouragement I need not to give up!

4) Realized that it took me a long time to gain weight, and it's going to take the rest of my life to maintain a healthy weight by maintaining healthy habits. There are no quick fixes!

I highly recommend Walter Willet's book Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy. It is evidence-based nutrition, based on big, long-term studies, and it makes so much sense.

HTH!

[DesireeH]

You might also check out Suzanne Somers books.......they are semi low carb and you are allowed carbs as long as they are the right carbs (whole wheat, complex)......I did it in January and lost 13 pounds, granted I gained it back now because I cant keep away from frappaccinos!! AHAHAHAHA I did it pre baby and lost 30 pounds in a month and kept it off for a year until I got pregnant. I definately think it works, and you dont have to be in ketosis and are still able to eat healthy carbs and fruits.

[BrooklynDoula]

It IS healthy to change your diet and increase your activity level and these will have the result of weight loss for most people. I breastfeed my son (at 21 months) and I eat very low amounts of carbs but I am not on an organized diet, rather just a healthy change of life. I have lost 35 lbs in the last 7 months and nearly 20 of that has been in the last 2 months since I changed my diet to take out all the sugar and all the white flour, potatoes, etc. I also work out and am very active (I go to Curves 4 times a week).

Good luck.

[Plady]

Hi Ligmom,

I just wanted to say that I did Atkins while I was breastfeeding when dd was about 10-15 months old (not all of that induction but at least half of it). I also did a lot of weight training. I lost a lot of weight (all that I wanted to) and the weight training really helped me reshape my body to firm up so I wasn't just skinny but flabby. I felt great doing Atkins and since dd was supplementing her bf'ing with fresh fruits and veggies and whole grain carbs I don't think I jeopardized her health at all.

I think that whatever diet feel right to you and that you can stick to is probably worth doing. Your youngest isn't an infant anymore and I think that's an important thing to consider.

Good luck!

[Ligmom]

Thank you all so much for the replies...I found all of your suggestions helpful. Talked to my dh and we have decided to start by cutting out refined carbs And begin exercising...started that tonight. We did Windsor Pilates together :LOL Not easy for someone my size...any ideas for exercise for overweight people would be appreciated. Still we will keep it up, also going to buy a jogging stroller and get busy walking. Thanks again, y'all

P.S. Where is there a support thread?

[luvmykidz]

I just found this forum and I am hoping that it will help me with the 50 lbs I need to lose...
I tried the South Beach Diet (not as extreme as Atkins) when dd was only 2mos old and it was horrible! My midwife suggested a high protien low carb diet to lose the weight, she said all the protien would increase my milk. What ended up happening was that my daughter couldn't tolerate either all the protien, the nuts (which can cause allergies), or all the veggies I was eating. It was horrible to know that what I was eating was causing her so much discomfort.
I am hoping to learn some on here so that I can start to lose the weight without interfering with my nursing!
Becki

[justmary]

Hi there!
I started to eat LC when my dd was 6 months old. I was never deeply into ketosis but I still lost pretty easily. (30 lbs). She is 16 months old now and still nurses. She never had a problem with my milk. I'll probably nurse until she is 2 or 3. Eating LC is now my "lifestyle" and I love it. My sister also eats LC and is 10 weeks pregnant. She has only gained 1 lb so far and she feels terrific. she eats lots of lean meats, dairy, veggies, fruits, nuts and some whole grains. Her midwife is in support of it. Before she got pregnant she lost 75 pounds. she has never felt or looked better.

all the best

[Quirky]

Ligmom, I think (brisk) walking is an excellent exercise for overweight people - getting a good supportive set of shoes is critical, though, as extra weight puts more stress on your feet and knees. I also think strength training is wonderful - anyone can do it! You don't even need weights, although they are helpful - you can do things like modified pushups (from your knees) to work almost your whole upper body.

Check out Joyce Vedral's books on weight training or something like The Slow Burn Fitness Revolution which has an at-home workout plan.