The pregnancy weight gain may not be fun, but it’s perfectly healthy and absolutely natural. Many ladies feel tempted to start dieting during this time, which is usually not the best idea. Your body needs nutrients more than ever to help your baby develop and grow properly.
Therefore, you should never start a new diet during pregnancy, at least not before speaking to your doctor or dietician. Now, meal replacements don’t have to be used for slimming down at all! So, where do they fit in? Should you throw them out or not? Are they safe for you? Can they harm your baby? Should you drink them or not?
Read on to find out!
NEVER use keto for weight loss during pregnancy!
Yes, we’ve mentioned this already, and yes, we’re repeating it again. Understanding this is extremely important, especially for first-time moms who’re dealing with extreme changes to their bodies for the first time in their lives. It can be quite frustrating, but dieting is still out of the question.
It’s not worth the risk, not even in the slightest. You may have seen some celeb moms magically come out of their pregnancy looking like super-models and fashion divas, but that’s far from reality, so don’t let it bother you.
Those women have probably spent thousands of dollars on personal trainers, photographers, make-up artists, and stylists just to take a couple of Instagram shots. You should focus on loving your body as it is: embrace your new motherly figure and avoid toxic societal expectations set by multi-millionaires and industries they represent.
Choose nutritious and healthy replacement shakes
Not all replacement shakes are built the same. Some are healthier than others, so make sure you’re making the right choice while browsing through different brands. Again, proper daily doses of vitamins, minerals, and proteins can help you get through your pregnancy much more easily, all while providing health benefits to your unborn baby.
So, make sure you find the right balance of nutrients to look for in your shakes. The best source of information is undoubtedly your doctor, as they’re following your pregnancy and know exactly what your body needs the most.
Besides that, we suggest you check out different online ratings and reviews to ensure the brand is trustworthy before you’ve made your choice. Overall, finding the perfect keto meal replacement shake will depend on your specific needs and circumstances, all of which your doctor can help you with.
Be wary of allergies
Everyone knows how dangerous allergic reactions can be. Even the smallest exposure to allergens can provoke extremely uncomfortable side effects, some of which can even be deadly if left unattended. For a pregnant woman, this risk is even more serious. An allergic reaction could negatively affect your baby, which is something to avoid at all costs.
So, once you’re about to try out a new keto meal replacement shake, we suggest you check those ingredients carefully! Additionally, seek advice from a medical professional that knows your history of allergic reactions. It’s always better safe than sorry!
Benefits of meal replacement shakes for pregnant women
According to latestfuels.com, ketonic meal replacement shakes can be extremely beneficial to your overall health. Many doctors recommend these to help you control your cravings during the pregnancy, all while ensuring you and your child have your nutritional needs met for the day.
Again, make sure you choose those shakes that are properly packed with nutrients, and seek professional assistance before incorporating them into your daily diet.
Overall, if used in the right amounts, low-carb replacement shakes can be quite beneficial to your pregnant self. They help reduce the unhealthy preggo cravings while providing your entire body with an energizing boost.
Can meal replacement shakes harm your baby?
No. Meal replacement shakes are all safe for use during pregnancy (except if you’re allergic to one of the ingredients). As long as you don’t use them to lose weight, you and your baby should be fine. We suggest you still seek professional medical advice beforehand, just to make extra sure everything’s in perfect order.
Of course, if you’ve been using these shakes because you like the taste or the health benefits they provide before you’ve gotten pregnant, there’s no reason to stop now! Count your calories to make sure you’re providing your child with the nutrients it needs, and everything’s going to be perfectly a-okay.
Overall, keto meal replacements aren’t harmful to pregnant women nor their children at all. The only times they may have a negative effect is when the woman uses them to lose weight, or she’s allergic to one of the ingredients.
How often can you drink shakes while you’re pregnant?
You can drink them as often as you’d like, but remember to eat a balanced diet apart from the shake replacements too. Again, and we can’t emphasize this enough, replacement shakes shouldn’t be used for weight loss during your pregnancy! After you have your baby you can slowly start burning those calories down, but anything before that is a no-go.
We suggest you speak to your doctor if you’re afraid of “overdosing” on replacement shakes. They’ll be able to provide you with valuable advice about your dietary needs as a pregnant woman. They’ll also be able to examine meal replacement products to help you choose the healthiest option for you.
All in all, even if there’s no limit to how many keto shakes you can drink as a pregnant lady, we suggest you avoid drinking them more than once per day, at max. A proper home-cooked meal is much more valuable to your health, especially in the long run.
The bottom line
Keto meal replacement shakes are not harmful to pregnant women nor their babies. In fact, if monitored and controlled by a medical professional, they can be quite beneficial and healthy, especially during the last stages of your pregnancy.
As long as they’re not used as a slimming tool, every woman can enjoy their benefits throughout her entire pregnancy. So, talk to your doctor, plan your diet and enjoy your shakes, ladies!
