I just discovered I am pregnant. I have been following a VLC diet for some time now and I was wondering if it is safe to continue doing so during pregnancy? I have read before that ketosis is harmful?

I hope you can shed some light on this topic as the googling has only led to more confusion!

Many thanks,
Michelle

COMMENT from MD EADES: Generally speaking, pregnant and nursing women ought not to be in a caloric deficit, so it’s important to move to a maintenance level of calories sufficient to meet the higher needs during pregnancy. The maintenance structure of our plan, with a higher carb level, filled with good protein from a variety of sources, along with plenty of quality fats, dairy, fresh low-starch veggies and low-sugar fruits is, in our opinion, a good structure for health. We can’t, of course, make recommendations for specific individuals via the internet. Recommendations as to the proper dietary and nutritional structure required to meet the needs of any particular woman, especially during pregnancy, are rightly the purview of her personal health care professionals.

Thanks.

COMMENT from MD EADES: Actually, I forgot I’d used Boursin in the puree in that blog. I sometimes use it instead of cream and butter with just salt and pepper. It would actually be very good in the soup, too, if you want to use it. It is a soft herb and garlic flavored cheese usually available in the packaged deli meat and cheese case at the grocery store. The ‘normal’ cauliflower puree (or mashed fauxtatoes, as we usually call them) uses about two tablespoons of melted butter and enough half and half or heavy cream to make it the consistency you like. For me, about an ounce or a little more, usually.