- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- pregnancy today articles
- pregnancy today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Counting Carbs
Is It Safe to Do During Pregnancy?
By Teri Brown
Other experts agree that cutting carbs while pregnant can be risky. Dr. Abby Aronowitz, author of Your Final Diet (Single Star Press, 2003), is one such expert. "Living a low-carb way of life is dangerous for the mother and baby, since it robs both of vital nutrition and fiber," says Dr. Aronowitz. "Certain nutrients can only be found in carbohydrates, and these powerful antioxidants and fiber work together to boost the immune system. Fiber is particularly important in pregnancy to prevent constipation and can only be found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, unless the diet is supplemented with psyllium fiber, such as [that found in the over-the-counter dietary fiber supplement] Metamucil."
Dr. Aronowitz adds that while eliminating "white" carbs, such as white bread, white rice and white pasta, is fine to do during pregnancy, incorporating whole grains, fruits and other natural carbs is essential. "Our bodies need a variety of foods and so does a developing fetus, so the best thing a pregnant woman can do is incorporate a wide variety of foods," she says. "If she is concerned about gaining weight, she should ask her doctor for a reasonable range of calories [that] would be appropriate."
Furthermore, Dr. Aronowitz believes women have special biological needs for carbohydrates because they have naturally lower serotonin levels than men. "Carbohydrates boost serotonin levels in the brain to create feelings of well-being [and] calmness and [they] fight depression," she says.
Want to see more?
Comments
There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to 
|
Post As:
|
||
| Enter your comment below: | ||
| Title | ||
| Comment Text | ||
| CAPTCHA | ||
| Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection. | ||
