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r/4hourbodyslowcarb•
noteveo

[Pics] Starting again... advice?

So, I started doing the SCD Jan 1 2011 and I did it until about the end of February, and I loved it. I lost about 26lbs and it was the first thing that worked for me. Pic: http://imgur.com/YgXL9 (I'm 25, 5'11 and 224 lbs in this pic) This was taken when we found out we were pregnant! I started eating normally for my pregnancy and now I'm 4 weeks post partum and I want to get back on the SCD again.

I weighed myself this morning and I'm 240.4, recent pic: http://imgur.com/VR0eo I've never felt worse about my body.

So my question... I'm also breastfeeding. Does anyone know how it may affect that? Should I do a modified SCD or just go full on with it? I was thinking doing the veg, beans and meat but also adding in some fruit... what do you guys think? Any advice would be great.

Posted Dec 15, 2011, 9:58 AM UTC · edited

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[deleted]•

I am 4 months post partum and breastfeeding on 4HB/SC. I'm having good results, but I do have to throw in a few carbs most days (usually some oatmeal) or I've noticed my milk supply gets low. I've lost 37 pounds so far, so it does work. Good luck and congrats on your baby!

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noteveoOP•

That's what I was worried about. How long did it take for you to notice a decrease in supply? Thanks for responding! Way to go, 37 lbs is awesome!!

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[deleted]•

Thanks! I noticed pretty quickly. Maybe a week into it. I know there are teas and lactation cookies that are supposed to increase supply, but the oatmeal seems to work for me.

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robdob•

As a mid-twenties male I know very little about breastfeeding, but I do know:

You'll want to make sure you're getting plenty of calcium, either through your diet or through supplements. (or a combination) I think while breastfeeding you'll need more calcium than SCD normally provides.

Definitely don't do a PAGG stack while breastfeeding if you were considering it. Policosanol is a blood thinner, so it's definitely not something your baby needs.

Congratulations on the baby!

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noteveoOP•

True, I am taking Vit D and Calcium supplements along with my normal diet. I wouldn't even consider doing the PAGG stack though while breastfeeding. Thanks for the advice!

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DillEPIckles•

Search for Chris Kresser on google. He gives expert advice on this area of health.

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Arghlita•

I'm not a doctor and I've never breastfed.

Having said that, general advice is to eat 500 calories more per day to account for breast milk production and there's a lot of advice out there about eating the Standard American Diet (ie 12 servings of "healthy whole grains" and all that other rubbish.) I think they are pretty much pulling it out of their butts.

Women have been successfully breastfeeding babies for many millenia. If the slow carb diet has you feeling and looking good, stick with it and see how you and your baby fare. If you get hungry and the normal stuff isn't cutting it, have some fruit. Play around with the fat/protein/bean/veggie proportions. Maybe switch around cheat day and instead have three cheat meals per week, but not all in one day.

In the end, I think you'll know what's best.

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noteveoOP•

I agree with you that the standard american diet is definitely in need of revision. Everything on the SCD is really healthy anyway, so I'm not too worried there. I'll end up eating more veg this way than on the average diet I usually had.

It's a good idea, to maybe switch around the cheat day to cheat meals. That might help avoid the problem of reduced milk supply that I'm worried about.

Thanks for the response!

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Arghlita•

You're welcome. I'm using SCD to lose weight before pregnancy, so this is a concern for me in the future. I look forward to hearing about your progress.

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venport•

I know very little about breastfeeding being a male so please excuse me if I show off my ignorance.

I recommend going for it, go full in on the diet. if you are following Tim's advice you should only be losing out on a few vitamins such as calcium and a few others (I'll need to check on them I have notes somewhere) take supplements for them. Just don't let your self get very hungry I'm sure you body will tell you that you need more calories if you a depriving your self.

If you feel you need to add fruit you will slow down weight loss but that's not a huge issue if you do it correctly. I find that a peace of fruit every other day or so will be fine at most a peace once a day, will only slow down your weight loss a little.

But the key to it all is tracking everything you can imagine, take photos of everything you eat, weigh every day and keep tracks on trending (your weight will bounce around from day to day) and if there are any variables that relate to breast feeding (here is where I show my ignorance) track them as well (maybe amount of milk produced? not sure)

Good luck and I hope for increased health for both you and your new child.

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Yeah-BUDDY•

I'm pretty sure it says somewhere in the book about almonds being an excellent source of calcium. If appropriate these should be more 4hb friendly than dairy products.

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NAMASTE_BITCHES•

I'm a lactation consultant. You don't need to force yourself to eat 500 calories a day while breastfeeding. The body gets more efficient at producing milk over time, and baby's growth slows down, so just eat to just barely full, and you'll be sure to have enough calories to produce milk (even women who don't get enough to eat in Africa produce fat healthy babies). I wouldn't necessarily try to get into ketosis while breastfeeding (but if you did, you could check your milk the same way you check your urine, with ketostix), and run it by your baby's pediatrician and your OB too.

I would NOT add in fruit except on your cheat day if desired; everything you can get from fruit, you can get from veggies, and the high sugar content of fruit will provoke an insulin spike.

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noteveoOP•

This is great. Thank you so much for the advice!

I have been on the diet now since 15/12 and have gone from 240.4 to 234.6 so it's coming off.. but a lot slower than the first time I did it. I think you're right about the fruit, and so I'm going to stop eating it except for cheat days. I think the past 3 weeks have been hard too because I cheated more than I was supposed to with the holidays... it's hard to start a diet right before Christmas!!

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iwearthecheese•

I'm thinking the biggest problem would be the dehydration. Have a glass of water while you feed the little one. I'd probably take a multivitamin too. This diet isn't so great for calcium and you're going to be sending lots to the baby.

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noteveoOP•

Good point.. I have been trying to drink lots of water. Thanks!

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HenryJones1882•

I know that you are breast feeding, but are you showing more that you meant to in the second pic?

Have you considered asking/r/Keto?

Edit: you have a wardrobe malfunction :)

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noteveoOP•

oh god. i didn't even notice. jesus. switching pics. thanks.

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