Diets that are high in protein and lower in carbohydrates have been popular recently, thanks to trends towards the Paleo and ketogenic-style diets. But are these diets beneficial for women looking to lose weight after childbirth?
Background
Women who do not return to their pre-pregnancy weight may be more prone to weight retention, eventually leading to obesity and increased risk of other chronic diseases. There are risk factors for weight retention after childbirth including reduced duration of breastfeeding and low physical activity levels.
There have been many studies to support a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet approach with weight loss in the general population. However, there is minimal evidence for the effects of this approach with post-partum women.
Until recently, only one observational study has been conducted, suggesting greater post-partum weight loss with a high protein diet. To further explore the impact of a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet on weight loss post-partum, researchers conducted a randomised controlled trial.
The study
A 6 month parallel-randomised controlled trial was designed. 94 women recruited from a maternity ward in Brazil took part in the study. Inclusion criteria included age 18-45 years, BMI of ≥26 immediately after birth, pregnancy with one infant and between 4-8 weeks post-childbirth. Participants were excluded if they had any pre-existing chronic disease.
The women were randomised into two groups – an intervention group with a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet and a control group with a standard diet. Both diets were 1800kcal/day.
The intervention group was advised to restrict carbohydrate content to a maximum of 3 portions per day of bread, pasta, rice, potato or root vegetables, and to avoid carbohydrates at dinner. They were instructed to eat 4 portions of beans, 3 portions of dairy and 2 portions of meat, eggs and fish per day. They were also provided with 6 x 125g cans of sardines per month to boost their daily protein intake.
On the other hand, the control group was giving nutritional advice based on the nation guidelines of 15% protein, 60% carbohydrate and 25% fat. They were instructed to consume 6 portions of bread, cereals, roots and tubers, 1 portion of meat, egg or fish, 2 portions of dairy and 1 portion of beans per day. They were also provided with 2kg of pasta per month.
The findings
The intervention group saw a greater decrease in body weight among overweight and obese participants. There was also greater weight loss in the intervention group compared to the control group until the fourth month of follow-up.
Researchers also noted that higher carbohydrate intake was associated with weight gain.
Conclusions
It was concluded that a high protein diet was more effective in promoting weight loss post-partum for women with overweight and obesity than the standard dietary guidelines. A higher consumption of carbohydrates was associated with weight gain.
The researchers also suggested that use of a structured dietary plan that allows flexibility but limits choices is beneficial for weight loss efforts. Increasing protein intake may be an effective strategy for maintaining a healthy body weight during the post-partum period.
Reference
Castro, M.B.T.D., Cunha, D.B., Araujo, M.C., Bezerra, I.N., Adegboye, A.R.A., Kac, G. and Sichieri, R., 2018. High protein diet promotes body weight loss among Brazilian postpartum women. Maternal & child nutrition, p.e12746.