Are there any adjustments that need to be made to the LCHF diet for women once they are pregnant? And if so, what do you do?
Get the answer to this and other questions - can you still eat LCHF if you've had your gallbladder removed? - in this week's Q&A with the fertility specialist Dr. Fox:
LCHF and pregnancy
Are there any adjustments that need to be made in the LCHF diet for women once they are pregnant? My daughter has been on the Lchf for 7 months and is wondering if there are any implications concerning development of the fetus.Michael
No significant adjustments. The only change is to have food intake about every 2 hours, at least 150-200 calories to prevent hypoglycemia due to the increased insulin resistance of pregnancy.
LCHF after having the gallbladder removed
Hi Dr. and thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. I've been I diabetic for about 10 years, I also have had my gallbladder removed. It's my understanding that I can't do this diet because my body can't handle fat. Please tell me this isn't true. I've actually been on this diet for a year and I've lost about 15 pounds and I love this diet it keeps my sugar down but am I doing damaging my body with too much fat?Lillian
Some people tolerate fat without consequence after gallbladder surgery. Others struggle. It is primarily a diarrhea and maybe some cramps issue. It has nothing to do with fat significantly harming you. I would tell you that you can't eat too much fat. Watch for bowel symptoms and if present, you have to figure out how to eat small amounts frequently. Let me know how it goes!!
Metformin dosing and meals?
Hello. Thank you so much for your contribution to DietDoctor.com.I am new to the regime, but so far things are going well. I have PCOS and Endometrial Hyperplasia, treated with Mirena IUD, Metformin (500 mg x 2 daily) and Spironolactone. Prior to these medications my HbA1C was within normal range, though because of my significant weight gain, my doctor thought Metformin may be helpful. On the LCHF diet, side effects have been minimal.
According to the "don't eat unless hungry" rule - I often am not hungry in the morning. However, I was instructed to take my medication with breakfast and dinner, at the completion of my meal. This results in forcing myself to eat breakfast (eggs, usually) when I'm not hungry.
Any suggestions on either (1) altering my meals, so I eat dinner later at night and take medication with lunch and late dinner, (2) some other suitable schedule.
Dr. Fox:
Thanks Robyn. I may recommend a little different approach than many practitioners on this site. It is my belief that hunger represents a response to hypoglycemia or once ketoadapted, to prolonged starvation. I recommend avoiding hypoglycemia at all costs because it starts the body's stress cascade of high cortisol, adrenaline etc. So my regimen recommends that during ketoadaptation (the first two months of strict adherence to the diet) one should take in at least 200 calories every 3 hours and eat early in the morning. After ketoadaptation, one can go prolonged periods without hypoglycemia and hence without hunger. Personally, I eat when healthy food is available and don't when it's not. Also we recommend the cessation of all caffeine as it doubles your cortisol and makes it difficult to lose weight. Remember - high fat!!
I wouldn't propose to interfere with doctor's recommendations but with extended release metformin, I recommend all the dosing with dinner. Please clear that with your doctor.
More Questions and Answers
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