Postpartum Pregnancy Diet Tips for New Age Moms!
Hello, Glowing Mommies! We are here with you in this tiring yet beautiful journey of childbirth. We understand the challenges this new journey brings for you. You are dealing with changes that are both physical and emotional and on top of that, you have a new baby to take care of. You, my strong mommy, need plentiful rest, relaxation, and a healthy diet to recuperate quickly.
The first concern of most new mothers, when it comes to themselves, is their bodies. Most of us still look pregnant even after giving birth. Do not worry, it is quite normal. It has been observed that we lose around 5-6 kgs right after giving birth to the child and lose the fluids. There are more fluids present in our body, which we lose in time resulting in losing more extra kilos.
As a new mother, your concerns and worries mostly revolve around your baby but you have got to pay attention to your diet postpartum pregnancy. A postpartum pregnancy diet is also important, as your nutrition is the sole source of nutrition for your baby. Given the fact that today majority of women are working moms, nutrition becomes pivotal as you shall slowly switch back to your busy, multitasking lifestyle.
How to hit the Right Balance between Diet and Weight?
One key aspect to remember is that you have just given birth to a new baby. This is a very intensive and demanding biological process for any woman. Hence, shedding weight should be the least of your concerns. However, this also implies that you shouldn’t descend into an unhealthy eating spree. In this scenario, eating ample and maintaining a healthy weight simultaneously is what we are aiming for. Let’s check out some ideas you could use for a healthy postpartum pregnancy diet.
- Include at least two servings of wholegrain items every day: Carbohydrates are the must-have macronutrients for energy. The key is that they must be whole grains like Brown rice, Steel-cut oats, Quinoa, Farro, etc. Having two servings per day shall keep you going throughout the day.
- Protein is the most essential macronutrient in the postpartum pregnancy diet and is needed for building lean muscle health. The best protein sources include Lean chicken breast, Turkey, Greek yogurt, Tofu, Edamame, Legumes, etc. Consuming a minimum of 2 servings shall keep you satisfied and help you recover faster.
- A dash of healthy fat is necessary. When you’re lactating, your body requires fat to support your core. Fat consumption is one thing that provides you with overall well-being. It’s a necessary nutrient that is vital for hormone production, hormone absorption, and cell membrane support. An example of this can be Vitamin D, considered the most important vitamin for postpartum women, it is fat soluble. Hence, taking a reasonable amount of fats shall cause no harm. Nonetheless, you need to keep in mind that consuming the right kind of fats is key. Keep your saturated fat intake to a minimum. Unsaturated fats tend to be the healthiest, especially omega-3 fatty acids. The most recommended sources of healthy fat include Nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios), Seeds, Avocado, Fatty fish (once a week), Chia seeds, etc.
- Fruits act as natural laxatives and also increase your energy. Including fruits like prunes, apples, pears, papaya, pineapples, bananas, orange, etc will not only rejuvenate you but keep constipation under check. Including fibrous vegetables in your meals shall help your digestive system.
- Consuming fennel water and ajwain water are some liquids that accelerate metabolism, help in digestion, and help in reducing fat. Taking a cup of milk with ghee helps ease muscle pains and cramps. Remember that drinking ample water and milk shall help you maintain body temperature and is necessary when you are lactating.
- Stay away from fried food, caffeine, alcohol, canned food, and fish. Consuming wine, beer, drinks like hard lemonade and other malt liquor beverages, shots, and mixed drinks passes alcohol to your baby through your breastmilk and can harm your baby’s brain and body development. Caffeine is found in tea, coffee, chocolate, and many soft drinks and can pass onto the baby affecting its growth. When talking fishes, they contain a high amount of mercury which is harmful to your growing baby’s brain. Hence, staying light on fish consumption is advisable.
Beyond the Diet
Last but not the least, enjoy this journey of motherhood. Sleep for ample hours, at least try to. Take rest. Go for walks. Exercise regularly to help tone your muscles and strengthen them. Try and surround yourself with people who make you feel good; a positive environment goes a long way in helping you heal. Allow yourself to enjoy a guilty pleasure meal once a week. Postpartum Pregnancy health goes beyond what you eat and focuses on how you feel. We hope this helps you!