Breastfeeding and Diet

healthy appetite

By Natural Health+

Mothers who breastfeed do not need special diets but they should make sure that their milk is rich in important nutrients for their babies.

The diet during lactation is healthy and full of minerals and vitamins. The best diet for a nursing mother is to have sufficient food. Sometimes, they are even allowed to eat more.

For the Mother
A balanced diet ensures that the mother lacks nothing in nutrients. This means many fruits and vegetables and grain products. Intake of meat and dairy products as well as foods rich in fats and sugar should be moderated.

Fish is important because it provides high-quality fats, such as the omega-3 fatty acid. Tuna should be avoided as sometimes this kind of fish could be heavily contaminated.

Also recommended are iodized table salt and fluoride salt, but in moderation. Intake of said types of salt is not only advisable for breastfeeding for daily nutrition, too.
Breastfeeding, contrary to popular belief is not really eating for two. Recommended need is about 500-600 calories more, than the regular diet. Usually, during breastfeeding, mothers tend to be sedentary so they have lower daily energy consumption. But no worries, the body has been prepared well in pregnancy, such that the fat deposits are now converted into energy.

It is also best for breastfeeding moms to avoid alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and too much stress.

For the Baby
Breastfeeding mothers are expected to always produce milk so that their babies are well supplied. Other nutrients such as protein, lactose and immune are providedautomatically in sufficient quantities in the milk. Breast milk also includes minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc and copper.