The keto diet during pregnancy, is it okay and safe to do it? this is the answer

The keto diet is a well-known diet for weight loss. Many women are fans of this diet. However, can pregnant women do this diet? Or the keto diet during pregnancy is not recommended? Before doing the keto diet, first consider the explanation here.

It's best not to go on a keto diet while pregnant

Sasa Watkins, RD, a nutritionist who specializes in child nutrition, said that a diet with low carbohydrate principles or a diet that aims to lose weight should not be done for pregnant women.

This also applies to ketogenic diets, which severely limit carbohydrate intake. The reason is, a diet like this may be dangerous for the fetus.

Having a low-carbohydrate diet while pregnant can affect weight and development of the baby in the womb. By limiting yourself from carbohydrates, the fetus does not get optimal nutrition.

The keto diet, which has a low carbohydrate principle, will make the mother's body burn protein and fat for energy. Apart from energy, ketones are also produced in this process. Maternal ketones can move and enter the fetus and are at risk of causing ketosis symptoms.

In adults, when the body is experiencing ketosis, various symptoms will arise, ranging from dizziness, weakness, to indigestion. So if these ketones enter the fetus, there could 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 in even greater amounts than before pregnancy.

Research proves the keto diet has an impact on the fetus

Research published in the journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth in 2013 says that the keto diet can affect embryo development. The keto diet causes impaired organ function and has the potential to change children's behavior after birth.

Research on the keto diet during pregnancy in humans is difficult and risky, so the research is mostly done on mice. This study analyzed the condition of mouse embryos in mice that were given a high-fat diet and a standard diet.

The results show that there are differences in the size of the embryo and the size of the body organs in it. This difference in size from what it should be, has the potential to affect the function of these organs.

The keto diet made the fetal rat's heart size larger, but the size of the brain, pharynx, spinal cord, hypothalamus, midbrain, and liver became smaller.

Rats that were 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 the fetus in mice for growth and development. This difference in energy sources causes the size of the mouse 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, in the right amount every day. In the recommendation of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, one of the requirements for eating for pregnant women is that the amount of carbohydrates must be as much as 50-60 percent of the total daily energy.

These carbohydrates are the main source of energy as well as a source of fiber. Foods high in fiber and 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 this slower, it can also make the energy of pregnant women more stable.

Not only that, complex carbohydrates are also a source of minerals and vitamins, especially B vitamins, which are needed by pregnant women. If you limit the amount of daily carbohydrates, all these benefits will not be obtained by pregnant women.

Even though it requires carbohydrates, it does not mean that pregnant women can freely eat foods that contain simple sugars such as sweet cakes that pregnant women have to eat a lot.

Packaged pastries, sweet drinks, donuts are examples of food sources containing simple carbohydrates and high in saturated fat. Of course, this food needs to be limited because it will also harm the growth and development of the fetus.