Dieting While Breastfeeding: Is It Safe?

Many breastfeeding moms are taking up various diet plans to help with weight issues and promote their health. Over the past decade, these meal plans have globally grown in popularity. Numerous new moms are taking up a keto or intermittent fasting to improve overall wellness. However, the number one reason as to why women practice dieting is for weight loss.

It is proven that breastfeeding while weight loss issues linger in the back of your mind that is detrimental to the production of milk. You will currently find postnatal doctors and clinical therapists suggesting meal plans to their patients. 

It is possible to adhere to a weight-loss meal plan and still provide adequate nutrition and energy to your baby.

How to Increase the Quality of Breast milk While On a Diet

There are numerous theories and myths surrounding breast milk. However, not every one of them is correct. Some of them are just age-old misconceptions that have nothing to do with breastfeeding. It is, therefore, advisable to double-check everything. 

While breastfeeding, you require close to 500 extra calories. Therefore, make sure you eat more to substitute for this additional demand. Also, while breastfeeding, vitamins like calcium and iron are essential for the production of high-quality milk. For instance, if you are on the keto diet, increase your daily intake of carbs to 50g. 

You can supplement your vitamin needs with the best keto multivitamin to get all the nutrition you need for quality breast milk.

Another viable solution is to try breastfeeding while intermittent fasting. Your body uses up a lot of energy to produce breast milk. Therefore, don’t only schedule what to eat, but also when. With intermittent fasting, you can spread out your meals throughout the day to ensure you attain the required daily energy intake.  

How to Follow the Keto Diet While Breastfeeding

The keto diet aims to get you into ketosis and keep you there. Keto is a low-carb, high-protein diet plan. However, you need to know how many calories while breastfeeding you need to consume. Keto is quite intense; eat as little carbs as possible. 

But the metabolic demands of breastfeeding dictate that you eat a bit more to provide your baby with the nutrients they require for proper development. Consider low-carb recipes or double your serving of root vegetables, and use quality protein and the ‘good’ fats to adhere to your keto diet without causing you and your baby any harm. 

Conclusion

Although additional research is needed to provide more information about the effect of dieting while breastfeeding, there is enough evidence to support the use of diets while lactating. You can produce high-quality breast milk to benefit your baby and your health while on a diet. 

Have you tried dieting while breastfeeding? Leave a comment and share your experiences with us.

Author’s bio: My name is Adam Reeve and I have been a professional personal trainer and fitness instructor for over 10 years. Also, I’m a life coach, wellness writer, and low carb diets, enthusiast.