Tag: mothers

Breastfeeding and Calories

Waitrose Fairtrade Organic Bananas

Breastfeeding Mums will burn up to 500 calories a day just from providing their babies with the best start in life.

Breastfeeding and eating a diet rich in nutritious foods have been the best things for my post pregnancy weight loss.

When you’re breastfeeding you spend a lot of time sitting, hopefully with your feet up, so it’s important to get outside everyday for your mental health and enjoy a leisurely walk with baby.

I was quite often ravenous when I was breastfeeding. I breastfed on demand so it was essential I ate small snacks and meals throughout the day to keep my energy levels up, to ensure optimal amounts of breast milk production and to maintain my blood sugar levels.

Because you’re burning so many calories when you breastfeed you’ll need to consume around 300 to 500 more calories per day when you’re breastfeeding to ensure proper milk production and to keep up with the demands of your body.

Whatever you eat as a breastfeeding Mum will pass directly into your breast milk and into baby who consumes your breast milk so avoiding additives, contaminants and highly processed foods is essential.

For the health of Mum and Baby, I always recommend you eat organic foods.

Breastfeeding Mums should eat healthy and nutritious foods that will provide you with sustained energy release to keep you going and regulate your blood sugar levels. This also helps to maintain your mood as blood sugar spikes and lows can leave you feeling up and down.

Some of my favourite foods to eat for energy when breastfeeding:

• Organic Semi Wholewheat Pasta – takes a few minutes to cook and makes a healthy and quick meal. Grate a little cheese on top or add an Organic Tomato Pasta Sauce.

• Organic Bananas – rich in potassium and low in sodium, a quick and healthy snack with calming properties.

• Organic Apples make a perfect snack. Highly nutritious and a good source of vitamins A and B1 as well as being rich in minerals. High in fibre to help cleanse your system and to keep you regular. It’s best to eat only Organic Apples here’s why.

• Organic Free Range Eggs Scrambled on toasted Rye Bread – a quick and healthy way to eat protein. Eggs are low in fat and provide balanced nutrition, being rich in B vitamins and many minerals.

 
What are your favourite foods for energy when breastfeeding?