 | the lifetime phase of the atkins plan is perfectly healthy for just about everyone, including pregnant women. It excludes only simple carbohydrates (refined flour, sugar, et cetera...) and is much more inclusive of complex carbohydrates, as long as everything is consumed in moderation. It is a myth that the Atkins plan is a meat and cheese diet; in the lifetime phase the diet is quite balanced and full of high-fiber, live foods. Since for every gram of fiber you eat you get to subtract a gram of carbohydrate, many people on the diet find that they eat more fiber and are more regular than they were before Atkins. Also, since you must curtail your intake of potatoes and bread as side dishes, many people find they eat more vegatables than ever to round out a meal.
The reason that the diet is so misunderstood is that most people don't understand that it has phases. They have only heard about the induction stage and believe you have to eat that way for life, but the induction phase (where fruits are nixed, vegatables are nearly nixed, and you may consume 10-20 grams of carb per day) is only meant to last for a few weeks, to kick your metabolism into gear.
It is the induction phase that is unsafe for pregnant women. This phase of the diet does not allow a well rounded diet, and you will not consume all the nutrients your baby needs. It's OK for you to deny yourself those nutrients for a couple weeks; in the course of your lifetime it's no big deal. But for your develping fetus it's just not safe.
Many people find that they atkins diet works well for them even if they skip the induction phase and just reduce their carb intake; some people (like myself) can not enter ketosis without the induction. Luckily for me, I have been on the atkins plan for a year and now that I am pregnant I can stay on at the lifetime level, but I would definitely not suggest anyone enter the induction phase while expecting! I would say, go ahead and try entering the plan at the lifetime phase. At the very least, you will get used to going without sugar and refined flours and things that are bad for you, anyway. |
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