The journey of pregnancy doesn’t usually end at giving birth. The post pregnancy period is very important and sufficient care must be taken to ease in the new lifestyle. For many new moms, the desire to lose weight may take precedence in the post pregnancy period, over nourishing their body with the right foods to support recovery, milk production, rest and all other tasks.
Reducing the overall carbohydrate intake thus becomes the go-to strategy for women – which isn’t the best bet at all. New moms need carbohydrates not just for breast milk production, but also to maintain mental and hormonal balance.
The right way to lose weight is to shed the extra kilos gradually, while still eating enough calories to keep up with the physical and mental demands of taking care of your little one.
Here are 5 tips from HER Clinic to take care of, regarding your diet in the postpartum period:
Choose a variety of foods from all food groups: During the post pregnancy period, focus upon having healthy sources of:
Proteins
Fruits
Vegetables
Fibre rich carbs
Fats like Avacados, nuts, seeds and more
The exact calorie intake and appropriate macronutrient ranges vary depending upon the activity levels, body size and more. Additionally, if you’ve health conditions such as diabetes, the dietary requirements take into account the respective condition too.
To prepare a healthy diet for your post pregnancy, consult our expert nutritionist at HER Clinic. Book an appointment here now!
Stay hydrated all along: Hydration is critical for breast feeding. It is recommended to drink at least 3 litres of water a day. However, it is best to leave hydration to thirst, as the hydration needs vary. You can also observe your urine colour to gauge the hydration. A pale yellow colour means you’re hydrated properly whereas dark coloured urine indicates that you need to drink more water.
Curb your caffeine intake: While the small amount of caffeine that passes to the baby through your breast milk isn’t known to cause any adverse effect, it is still recommended to keep the caffeine intake under check in the period immediately after pregnancy.
Minimise empty calories: Avoid junk foods, packaged snacks and items that have high sugar content. Resisting fried food, soft drinks and such can help in minimising the gain of useless calories and helps keep your health in check.
Continue the prenatal vitamin: Breastfeeding mothers should continue taking the prenatal vitamin. Consult our gynaecologist for the best vitamin suited for you in the breastfeeding phase. The key to losing the pregnancy weight is in being patient and giving yourself time. A gradual weight loss is healthy and ensures your safety as well as the baby’s.
Keep yourself healthy with regular check ups with our top gynaecologists at HER Clinic. Book your appointment here now!