Paleo Pregnancy

[lilles]

So my super strict Paleo dieter friend (the one I posted a few months back who made her LOs eat paleo and I was trying to find Paleo stuff for a birthday party I was hosting) is pregnant and plans to continue eating Paleo during pregnancy. Has anyone eating this way while pregnant? Are there any nutrients she might be missing by not eating other things? I'm just concerned for her and baby. Yes, I know it is not my business but I still worry.

[pitterwoo]

RD here - like any way of eating it would depend on what she actually eats. people interpret paleo differently, some people take supplements and others won't, if she has MS or not, etc. It's not inherently dangerous, but again that depends on her actual situation which I don't know anything about.

I think it would be a good idea to talk with a nutritionist who is paleo friendly or at least paleo aware to make sure she has her bases covered. I would recommend that for anyone who follows a strict or limited diet.

[shelbyann]

I don't know about missing nutrients (not an RD but I agree with the PP, it probably depends on what she's actually eating) but I can't imagine eating like that in early pregnancy! Of course everyone is different, but there were several weeks in my first tri where all I could stomach was simple carby stuff like bread and rice. And I ate a fairly low-carb/somewhat paleo-esque diet before getting PG.

[wambam]

Paleo is incredibly nutrient dense. She won't be missing anything. She'll probably want to eat more carb-dense veggies like sweet potatoes and squash than she was before pregnancy. In Robb Wolf's book, The Paleo Solution, he did a great side by side comparison of an average day of paleo eating vs. standard American diet and the difference is sort of amazing. The paleo day (meat, lots of veggies, fat, fruit, and nuts) is far more nutrient dense than a day with grains and legumes.

ETA: Someone else on the web has done this comparison: www.paleoplan.com/2011/08-29/getting-enough-nutrients-in-your-paleo-diet/

[lilles]

Nothing to worry about then, good.

[spunkypenguin]

I think there are far worse things to be concerned about than someone eating paleo during pregnancy.

[isabel]

I really think Paleo is one of the healthiest ways to eat. People get concerned about things like a lack of fiber and calcium, but a lot of vegetables and things like sardines contain both of those nutrients. The diet actually isn't as restrictive as people fear and the things you're cutting out really don't provide all that much in the way of nutrition anyway.

[lauren170]

Good for her. All I wanted to eat my first trimester was bread. I wish I could have been more paleo.

[hannahb]

All I've wanted the entire time is bread, bread, and more bread. I can't imagine sticking to a "diet" pregnant!