Intermittent Fasting During Pregnancy

What is intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting is a type of diet that requires you to cycle between periods of eating and not eating.  Some people do this for religious reasons, other people are just trying to lose weight or gain muscle mass. Intermittent fasting can help with your metabolism (your body’s natural process of converting glucose into energy) because it can help you burn fat. Intermittent fasting can have some negative side effects, so it’s important to research before trying this type of diet.

Can I Do Intermittent Fasting During Pregnancy?

It might be hard for your body if you’re pregnant because it could lead to problems with blood sugar levels or increased cortisol production (a hormone that is necessary at times but too much can be bad for you).

Intermittent fasting while pregnant can cause some problems with blood sugar levels.  It increases cortisol production, which is necessary but too much of it could be bad for you. It might also be hard on your body because it can lead to other side effects like increased hunger or low energy levels from less food intake and these are things that are already difficult when pregnant.

There are a few studies that show intermittent fasting is safe during pregnancy, but these were done on smaller populations and so it’s not conclusive. In most cases, pregnant women should follow the diet guidelines designed for them by their doctor or registered dietitian.

One study found out that people who fasted intermittently while they’re pregnant had fewer pregnancy-related complaints such as nausea, vomiting, and morning sickness.

The study was done on a small population so it is not conclusive but these are things that pregnant women should follow the diet guidelines for them by their doctor or registered dietitian.

It might be hard for your body if you’re pregnant because it could lead to problems with blood sugar levels or increased cortisol production (a hormone that is necessary at times but too much can be bad for you).

Is Intermittent Fasting Safe During Pregnancy?

Some experts say that intermittent fasting is safe during pregnancy. It has been shown to be beneficial for women’s health in general and could help the baby by decreasing the risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and even postpartum depression. Intermittent fasting also has a positive effect on weight management–something pregnant mothers are already struggling with.

There are risks, though. Intermittent fasting can cause dehydration and low blood sugar levels for both mother and baby if it is done incorrectly or without the supervision of a doctor. And because pregnant women have an increased need to eat healthy foods–for the growth of their fetus–fasting could be very difficult and counterproductive on a womens health.

Intermittent fasting during pregnancy could be safe, but it is not without risks and should only be done under the supervision of a doctor or nutritionist with experience in working with women who are pregnant. Women trying to get pregnant or those already pregnant should consult their doctors before attempting any type of intermittent fasting so that it can be done safely and effectively.

While dramatic dietary changes may lead to nutritional shortages and other health problems for both you and your baby, pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding should especially watch their intake of certain nutrients. There may also be changes in hormone levels when people fast.

However, the majority of research that examines IF and pregnancy examines birth weight. In addition to these potential consequences, there are all of the other possibilities that haven’t been explored — for example, the chance of pregnancy loss and its prospective impact on children whose moms underwent IF.

Overall, the unpredictability of fasting’s effect on your health during pregnancy is a good thing. When it comes to pregnancy, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises that each woman develops a weight gain plan in consultation with her healthcare practitioner that is individualized depending on the woman’s BMI and general health.

This often involves gaining between 25 and 35 pounds by consuming a healthy diet of nutritious foods and drinking plenty of water for women with BMIs between the ages of 18.5 and 24.9. People who are very overweight may have to carefully watch their baby’s development under the supervision of a doctor.

What Are The Risks Associated With Intermittent Fasting During Pregnancy?

There are limited studies that look into the effects of intermittent fasting during pregnancy. One study from 2013 found an increased risk for miscarriage associated with one form of IF (alternate day fast) in a small group of women, but this was not replicated when using another type of IF diet. The jury is still out on whether or not IF has an effect on women who are pregnant and the effects of IF during pregnancy.

There are no studies that have looked at the effects of IF on a developing fetus. There is concern about an increased risk for miscarriage and preterm birth associated with fasting, but this has not been proven to happen in humans. The most extensive research into intermittent fasting comes from animal models which found there may be negative impacts on fetal brain development as well as the placenta.

The rates of miscarriage and preterm birth in humans were not studied, so we can’t tell if IF has an effect on them or not. The effects of fasting during pregnancy are still unclear and more research is needed; pregnant women should talk to their physicians before making any dietary changes that may affect fetal development.

Conclusion

It is important to remember that intermittent fasting has been shown to have many benefits in other populations. However, more research needs to be done on how this impacts pregnant women so it would not be wise for them to try IF until more information is available.