Most of us think that healthy eating postpartum is an impossible thing. Yet many women continue to struggle with postpartum weight loss. They struggle because they have no clear-cut menu plan to follow or specific foods to avoid. Here are some helpful tips on what foods to eat after giving birth.
Fast foods, processed and packaged foods, frozen and dried foods are all rich in preservatives that make it even easier for you to add weight to your frame and make your body accumulate unwanted materials, never enhancing the quality of your milk. Avoid junk food high in preservatives. Limit your consumption of fried foods. Instead of breastfeeding, have an alternative method of preparing your food like rice, pasta, oatmeal etc. Be careful to read the nutrition facts panel on packaged foods.
Processed Foods Being unable to take breast milk is one of the biggest reasons why most mothers resort to low-calorie substitutes to compensate for their loss of breast milk. But these substitutes may not do as well for you as postpartum weight loss meals specially formulated for breastfeeding mothers. So look for a good organic brand that offers both. There are also a few brands that offer ready-to-eat baby formula. These are mostly expensive, so if you’re looking for low-calorie and easy to prepare meals consider buying bulk powder instead.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Breastfeeding is not just about the vitamins and minerals but also about the nutrients themselves. Most of these nutrients are easily absorbed when you eat fresh and whole foods. Some are even easier to absorb in the form of supplements, so keep this in mind if your baby is not eating enough fruits and vegetables. As you try to give your body the right nutrients you need, make sure to avoid those that cause you stomach pain or gas.
Whole grains, Low Fat Milk Fruits and Vegetables If breastfeeding your baby doesn’t make you lose weight, then it’s probably because you’re not giving your body enough nutrients to keep it healthy. During your postpartum weeks, try to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet for extra vitamins, minerals and even extra energy to carry you through the day. When you’re breastfeeding, your body gets enough vitamins, minerals, amino acids and calories from breastfeeding, but when you’re not, you need to really up your intake to get enough nutrients.
Postpartum Weight Loss Drinks Natural fruit juices are a good way to boost your energy level after giving birth. They’re easy to prepare and don’t contain many additives that may harm you or your baby. One cup of natural fruit juice contains around 200 calories, which is more than you can get from an orange or a glass of red wine. Reducing your calorie intake will help you with postpartum weight loss since you won’t be able to eat as much. Some mothers find that adding some whey protein to their drinks helps them lose weight after giving birth, since it increases the metabolism. It’s also a great way to get the kids to drink their milk as well.
Diet Foods If you’re looking to lose weight after breastfeeding your first child, think about incorporating more natural foods into your diet, like vegetables and fruits. By choosing more natural foods that you know will provide your body with plenty of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, you’ll be able to gain weight after giving birth without stressing out about gaining too much weight. Many new moms have trouble eating healthy and choose convenience foods that are filled with preservatives and other unhealthy ingredients. Instead, choose healthy convenience foods like yogurt and fruits that are loaded with calcium, protein and other important nutrients that help build strong bones and muscles for new mothers.
While many women struggle to eat healthy during pregnancy and after childbirth, there is no reason why you shouldn’t feel confident about adding more nutritious foods to your diet on a regular basis. By eating healthy on a regular basis, you can get the rest that your body needs to recover and stay healthy. You’ll feel better both while you’re giving birth and while you’re trying to lose weight after childbirth.
