How to Know if Intermittent Fasting Is Safe During Pregnancy?
The recent era has seen a significant surge in the adoption of intermittent fasting for weight loss, better metabolism, and overall health. However, the most common question that arises is, “Is Intermittent Fasting Safe for Indian Mothers During Pregnancy?” Let’s uncover it.
This blog will help you understand whether intermittent fasting is safe or not during pregnancy. We will also cover the ill effects of it and the best prenatal vitamins for you to consider during pregnancy.
What Is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting for women is not a diet plan, but it involves alternating periods of eating and fasting within scheduled windows. One of the most preferred common intermittent fasting schedules is 16:8, where you fast for 16 hours and eat during the 8-hour window.
Intermittent Fasting and Indian Diets
The traditional Indian diet mainly contains three main meals, which are rich in carbohydrates, spices, and oils. Most people feel like skipping dinner or breakfast is challenging because it is deeply rooted in their habits.
The Ill Effects of Intermittent Fasting During Pregnancy
Low Blood Sugar: An intermittent fasting schedule during pregnancy may lower your blood sugar levels. Once your blood sugar levels drop along with your blood pressure, it could lead to dizziness and might cause you to faint.
Low Blood Pressure: When you do intermittent fasting in pregnancy, your glucose levels drop. If your baby does not get proper nutrition, it might lead to lower fetal movement.
Things To Consider While Fasting During Pregnancy
Proper H2O, Happy Body
Water is your best friend during any fast! If you're allowed to sip during fasting hours, drink up. If not, make those non-fasting moments count by staying well-hydrated. Your body will send you warning signals if it's running dry, like headaches, dark yellow pee, feeling weak, or even contractions. Skip caffeine and energy drinks, because they'll make dehydration worse, especially when the sun's blazing hot outside.
The Scale Should Be Your Ally, Not Enemy
Step on that scale regularly and keep your healthcare provider in the loop. The goal isn't to shed pounds, it's to stay in that sweet spot of healthy weight gain. Whatever calories you miss during fasting need to make a comeback during your eating windows.
Chill For a Bit
Fasting can leave you feeling like your phone on low battery mode. Listen to your body's SOS signals and slow down with your intense workouts. Also, schedule some little power naps alongside your fasting schedule. It is also better to switch to lighter work hours or ask for extra support at home.
Ease Back into Eating Mode
When it's time to break your fast, don't go from zero to feast mode instantly. Your digestive system needs a gentle wake-up call, not a shock treatment. Start with light, simple foods and steer clear of greasy or heavily processed stuff. Skip the sugar bombs that'll send your blood sugar on a rollercoaster ride.
Tune Into Your Little One's Dance Moves
Your baby's kicks and wiggles are their way of saying "I'm doing great!" Stay alert to any changes in their usual party routine. Less movement, weaker kicks, or sudden hyperactivity? Time to speed-dial your doctor or head to the emergency room.
Keep Your Medical Team on Speed Dial
Consider scheduling extra check-ins with your healthcare provider while fasting. Feeling dizzy or faint? Don't tough it out, call immediately. They might suggest a salty snack, hydration boost, and rest, or want to see you right away.
Trimacare, The Best Prenatal Vitamin in India
Trimacare has gained the reputation of being the best pregnancy supplement in India due to its patented trimester-specific formulation. Unlike regular pregnancy supplements, Trimacare uses 20+ essential multi micronutrients that are required throughout your pregnancy at different stages to meet the nutritional demands.
Trimacare 1 contains 20+ essential nutrients, such as L-methyl folate (a 7 times more bioavailable form of folic acid) and vitamin B6 to address morning sickness and support early fetal development. Trimacare 2 prenatal vitamins contain time-release iron to support the increased blood volume. Trimacare 3 prenatal supplements focus on 100% vegetarian DHA, along with time-release iron for crucial brain development during the final months.
Indian women often struggle with specific health issues that can make pregnancy trickier, things like not getting enough vitamin D (especially if you spend most time indoors), low iron levels that leave you feeling exhausted, and not eating enough protein-rich foods.
Trimacare understands these real problems
that Indian moms face every day.
The best part about Trimacare 1 is how it helps when you're feeling sick to
your stomach during those rough early pregnancy days. Trimacare 2 helps with
increased blood volumes, and Trimacare 3 helps with optimal fetal development
while preparing your body for labor.
Investing in prenatal supplementation helps prevent serious pregnancy complications, making it a smart long-term choice for your and your baby's health.
Final Words
Intermittent fasting schedules have proved helpful for non-pregnant mamas who are trying to lose weight. However, it is not considered safe during pregnancy. During pregnancy, your body needs all the nourishment it can get to support the growing baby.
Thus, doctors recommend avoiding an intermittent fasting schedule and focusing on having balanced meals, hydration, and essential prenatal vitamins and supplements.
If you are considering fasting for any reason, consult your healthcare provider & they may suggest safer ways to ensure your and your baby’s health are not compromised.
Intermittent fasting can wait; motherhood cannot. Prioritise nourishment over trends.
If you are looking for the best prenatal vitamin to support your pregnancy, choose Trimacare today after consulting your doctor. Buy Now!
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Healthcare providers advise against doing intermittent fasting during your first trimester because it is a crucial time for the organ development of your baby, who needs a constant nutrient supply for optimal growth.
2. What if I were doing intermittent fasting before getting pregnant?
If you were doing intermittent fasting before getting pregnant, stop it once you know you are expecting. Also, consult your healthcare provider about the changing nutritional needs and your baby’s development.
3. Are there any safe ways of intermittent fasting during pregnancy?
There are no safe practices for intermittent fasting during pregnancy. If you want to do any sort of fasting during pregnancy, it should be under strict medical supervision and only for therapeutic reasons, weight management, or general health benefits.
4. Does intermittent fasting affect my breast milk? And how?
As per some studies, intermittent fasting reduces the quality and supply of breastmilk. Lactating mothers require constant nutrition and adequate calories to maintain health production of milk.
5. What should I eat if I am not doing intermittent fasting during pregnancy?
You should focus on eating balanced meals every 2-3 hours, which is a perfect blend of protein, healthy fats, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates. You should also try to include pregnancy supplements that your doctor has recommended for optimal nutrition.
6. Can intermittent fasting cause any birth defects in the baby?
Not directly, but it will for sure restrict nutrients your body needs during this crucial stage for the optimal development of your baby. That is why it is safer and recommended to avoid an intermittent fasting schedule during pregnancy.
Pallavi Aggarwal
A Certified Nutritionist with a rich healthcare background in health journalism, the author has immense experience in curating reader-friendly, engaging, and informative healthcare blogs to empower readers to make informed pregnancy-related decisions.
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