I researched all over the web to find out whether nursing moms (my baby is not yet 3 mos) can do Atkins. I heard somewhere that we are to skip induction and go to the lowest carb part of OWL. That's what I did. I also read a transcript of a speech/ workshop Atkins himself had with a woman's group, and he actually said that nursing moms could do Atkins with no problem, and did not even say no induction. However, I thought it best to go to OWL, early stage.

My first week, I lost 6 lbs. I have about 25 to lose. This is my second week, and first I gained 2 lbs, then lost one, so I am about 5 lbs down.

I just discovered the marvels of fitday.com, so I see how I could be doing a bit better with my proportions of fat, carb, and protein.

Here's my question: should a nursing mom, who should be eating about 500 calories more than a non-nursing woman (though I am NOT counting calories), keep to the same % of the food groups as everyone else? I have seen here that it should come out to 70% fat, 5% carb, 25% protein. I will aim for that. But is that right?

Are there any other helpful things for a nursing mom to know? I assume all the protein will be better for my baby than my junky high-carb diet was.

Thanks!
Yaelle

Actually, Atkins recommends that nursing mothers eat at Maintenance levels.

You can have more veggies and some fruits. You could try adding in some flax o meal and some whole milk yogurt with berries. Eat protein and fat everytime you consume carbs so you won't get as much of an insulin spike.

I avoided induction levels while nursing. My baby is now 8 months old.

Beth

Here's something from the Atkins Center website:

Beth gave great advice. A maintenance plan with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with products such as flax-o-meal and LC bread would probably be good.

Thank you both for your prompt replies. I am sure you shouldn't try and LOSE weight while pregnant, but I am not pregnant and I have plenty of fat to burn, let me tell ya!

I did, as I said, find a quote from Atkins where he said unequivocally that a nursing mom may follow Atkins, and he did not even say that you should start at maintenance.

While switching one's diet from hi carb to maintenance Atkins is great for health, I am sure, I would like to lose weight.

I will stick with the OWL but I did want to know, for example, how much healthy carbs (fruits and veggies) should I add to my diet? I am having a hard time getting my carb #s below 35. Would 35 g be a good way to start? Because of my extra nutritional needs, I could really go hungry on induction, but I would like to actually lose weight.

Since day 8, by which I had lost 6 lbs, I gained 2, lost one, and now plateaued a little. I am on day 12.

Thanks!

Yaelle

In my opinion, I think 35g sounds fine. The most important thing is where those carbs come from. Assuming it's mainly low GI fruits and veggies, I think you're on the right track. Have you read the Atkins book? Atkins For Life would be a good resource, as it has charts pertaining to which fruit, veggie, legume, dairy, and grain choices are the best.

Examples of the better choices:
Veggies to eat often: salad veggies, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, spinach
Fruits to eat often: berries, apple, tangerine, grapefruit
Dairy: hard cheeses, cream cheese, cream
Grains: 1/4 cup rice (long-grain, brown)
1/2 cup plain old-fashioned oatmeal
1/3 cup corn kernels
1/3 cup whole-wheat cereal* (Wheatena)

Just some examples. Cruise www.atkinscenter.com and you'll get a good grasp on it.