Intermittent Fasting During Pregnancy: Why You Should Think Twice Before You Try It

There are so many diet options that you can choose from. From keto to vegan to intermittent fasting, your choices are plenty and you should follow what works for you, as long as it’s healthy. 

When it comes to dieting, it’s absolutely necessary that you consult a nutritionist to help you keep a check on diet choices that suit your body requirements.

Every individual has different nutritional requirements, so even a fairly common diet may vary between two people. 

This is particularly true when you want to lose weight during a complicated period like pregnancy. In most cases, your body’s nutritional requirement increases during pregnancy, which does mean your food intake may just increase leading to a natural weight gain.

However, health complications may require you to lose weight.

But is following intermittent fasting during pregnancy the way to go? Is it safe for the mum and the baby, and can it severely affect their health? We try and answer your concerns. 

What Is Intermittent Fasting?

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In intermittent fasting, you take longer breaks between meals. This allows your insulin levels to go down and the body automatically releases stored sugar from the fat cells to use as energy. 

As a result, the body starts burning its fat cells for fuel and you begin losing weight. With intermittent fasting, you tend to eat all food groups which makes it more palatable to the tongue. But you space out the meal times to force the body to burn its fat reserves. 

Intermittent fasting can be further divided into different methods. One such is the 5:2 fasting method wherein you follow normal meal times for five days per week. You then observe the fast for the remaining two days of the week with a calorie intake of only 500-600 calories a day.  

The other method is ‘daily fasting’ wherein you do not eat for 16 hours every day. 

Lastly, you can follow the alternate-day fasting method where you skip meals every alternate day. While some people completely renounce food for the day, others recommend having food up to 500 calories to avoid weakness.

Intermittent Fasting During Pregnancy: How It Affects The Baby

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While this may be great on another occasion, should you be intermittent fasting during pregnancy? It’s a pressing concern since the body is already undergoing a major change. Mums have a higher nutrition requirement during this period. 

Given the novelty of the diet, there is not enough research done that can determine the side effects of following intermittent fasting during pregnancy. 

Most experts though do not recommend following intermittent fasting when you are expecting. 

A 2014 study found that when mums followed intermittent fasting during the first trimester, the birth weight of the babies was lower than those mothers who did not fast.

The same study also observed that there was no difference in the birth weight between fasting and non-fasting babies when fasting took place during the third trimester.

A 2018 study observed Muslim women who were fasting during Ramadan for 13-15 hours a day. The study noted that while there were no birth weight changes in the baby, the placental weight was lighter. 

A 1996 study observed that glucose, insulin, and triglyceride levels fluctuated in pregnant mums who were fasting. This wasn’t the case with women who did not fast. The study also noted that there was no data to find out how fasting during pregnancy impacted the babies as they aged. 

As a result, the researchers did not recommend fasting during pregnancy. 

Intermittent Fasting During Pregnancy: What Are The Risks Involved?

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While research is still underway, health professionals share some common risks associated with fasting and how it may affect pregnant women.

Calorie deficit

The whole point of fasting is to reduce your calorie intake so the body can deplete its fat reserves. But it’s also necessary to note that the body needs a certain amount of calories during pregnancy.

With fasting, it gets difficult to ensure that you are fulfilling your body’s calorie intake comprising essential vitamins and nutrients. 

Preterm birth risk

A 2018 study published in the Journal of Epidemiol Community Health, states that women who participated in fasting had a greater risk of preterm labour as opposed to those women who did not fast.

While the study was related to Ramadan, it pointed out the possible long term effects of fasting for extended periods. 

Researchers can’t fully ensure that intermittent fasting during pregnancy is safe. That’s why it’s best if you avoid the same to keep your health and that of your baby in check. Moreover, if you do need to lose weight, you can look at other options as well. 

Physical activity like walks, exercise, and yoga will help you shed kilos. Do speak to your gynaecologist about your weight concerns and please make sure to have a balanced diet during these nine months. 

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