going to have different rules than their pregnancy diet
had. Because of the milk production process, the body needs
different fuels than it did before. And while nutrition for
lactating women might seem a bit much at first – remember
that you're not the only one that is going to benefit from
watching what you eat.
Eating Regularly is the Best Advice
The process of breastfeeding is one that requires a lot of
energy for mom. This means that as a mom, you will need to
eat three regular meals a day and two snacks to make sure
your body has enough fuel to produce the milk. Most experts
on nutrition for lactating women agree that choosing
balanced meals with plenty of nutrients is the best way to
ensure you're getting adequate vitamins and minerals.
But what you might not realize is that this will and should
add up to about 2700 calories a day. While this seems like
a lot when you feel like you should be losing weight, it's
actually what your body should be getting, plus an
additional 500 calories for the breastfeeding process.
This is simply not a time for dieting – there's plenty of
time later to try to lose weight. Right now you need to
focus on being healthy!
Drink It Up
Nutrition for lactating women also needs to include plenty
of beverages, like water. Since the process of
breastfeeding and lactating takes up more water to
complete, you need to be able to replenish your body's
stores and keep your energy up in this way.
If you should notice signs like a dry mouth or
constipation, these may be signs that you need to drink
more water. You should also realize that these symptoms are
quite common, and there's nothing to be worried about.
Keep up Those Vitamins
To further ensure that you're getting adequate nutrition,
you might want to keep taking those prenatal vitamins
you've been given. In terms of nutrition for lactating
women, this is a great way to fill in any gaps your diet
might leave. And if your doctor agrees that this is a good
step, why not keep up this good habit?
With the proper nutrition for lactating women, milk
production is much easier and more nutritious for your
growing child – and that adds up to a happy mom and child.
About the Author:
Michelle Van Otten is the founder and owner of Ultimate
Body Potential located in Los Gatos, Ca. UBP offers
personal training, fitness classes, outdoor fitness
bootcamps and much more. To learn more and sign up for lots
of free information please visit
http://www.ultimate
