Losing Weight after Childbirth – Diet for New Moms

Pregnancy is sure to take its toll on your appearance. The prenatal health care, post-pregnancy complications and breastfeeding are sure to increase your weight. However, after the initial post-pregnancy period is over, you have to take necessary routine in your diet to keep yourself fit and healthy. For losing pounds after pregnancy, it is not advisable to follow the usual weight-loss diet as it will affect your health and the baby’s. This is why it is important to have a special diet for new moms.

While nursing your baby is the first priority, taking care of your health becomes the second important. Losing the pregnancy pounds might be a hard yet tricky task. You have to keep a balance of everything – your health and baby’s health. You have to consume foods that help in weight loss, nevertheless, provides the required energy to be the best mom. As a new mom, you need take preference over energy providing foods. There are certain important things to have in mind while starting diet for new moms.

• Your routine healthy foods need to give you the required energy for taking care of your baby.
• Since you will be nursing, you have to maintain the quality and quantity of your breast milk.
• No matter what you eat, you have to keep your nutrients pretty much balanced for the benefit of you and your baby’s health.
• You have to eat often but eat enough. You can have 2-3 snacks per day in between your meals. This will help in milk production and keep your energy.
• Do not go overboard with exercise routine after childbirth. Walking is the best exercise for new moms.

Keep your nutrients in check

After childbirth, your body takes some time to recover and needs a good supply of nutrients to heal. The fatigue after your baby’s arrival needs to be combated with healthful foods. You have to take good amounts of vitamin D and calcium for bone health as well as iron for anemia. Protein content foods are good for repairing and building tissues.

Low-fat Yoghurt

Fat-free and low-fat dairy products are good for consumption, as it provides enough amounts of calcium and vitamin D. For breast-feeding mothers, the calcium content in your milk will be transferred effectively to your baby.

Oranges and grapefruit

Citrus fruits are an excellent way to keep you going. The essential nutrients in oranges and grapefruits aids in weight loss. Nursing moms require vitamin C and oranges have much in them. You can snack on these fruits or sip a juice of it and get the benefits.

Whole-grain cereals

Having a healthy breakfast can be a boost of energy. For new moms, sleepless nights drain their energy and eating whole-grain cereal breakfast can whip up their day. These cereals are fortified with all the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for your needs.

Brown rice

Usually rice is not always preferred for weight loss diets. But in the diet for new moms, brown rice can be a saver. Your baby needs carbs and you can’t cut all of it. Brown rice can be an excellent choice for cut back on carbs without getting fatigued. Consuming brown rice keeps your energy levels high and also makes quality milk for your baby.

Water

Last but not the least. Water prevents your body from getting dehydrated. Breastfeeding can drain your energy and make you dehydrated. New moms have to take lots of water for getting energy.

New moms should be careful not to lose weight faster as it will affect their lactation. Diet for new moms need utmost care and follow the right methods with intake of nutritious diet. Know that pregnancy is a long period of gestation and postpartum, which accounts to around 18 month time. So keep in mind that you have to adjust your body for the new phase. It does take time for new moms to get to shape again. So go easy on yourself or else, you would end up affecting your health and your baby’s.