A healthy diet is very necessary for the new moms. Similar to the pregnancy period, a woman needs to have a nutritious diet after the birth of the child as well. This is because hormonal changes take place when the body first starts lactating. In such circumstances, a well balanced diet, which has a variety of nutrient-rich foods, is ideal. Nursing mothers should lower the consumption of processed foods as well as the ones that are acidic or gas producing in nature. Given below is a list of foods, which nursing mothers should eat and avoid during the breastfeeding days.
Diet For A Breastfeeding Mother
Foods to Eat
- Cod Liver Oil
- Butter
- Eggs, preferably from pastured chicken
- Additional egg yolks daily, added to smoothies, salad dressings, scrambled eggs, and the like
- Fresh seafood, particularly wild salmon, shellfish and fish eggs
- Fresh beef or lamb
- Oily fish or lard daily, for vitamin D
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil daily, used in cooking or smoothies, etc
- Lacto-fermented condiments and beverages
- Bone broths, used in soups, stews and sauces
- Soaked whole grains
- Fresh vegetables and fruits
- Lime soda
- Fresh fruit juice
Foods to Avoid
- Trans fatty acids (e.g., hydrogenated oils)
- Junk foods
- Commercial fried foods
- Sugar
- White flour
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Cigarettes
- Brewer's yeast
- Carbonated beverages
- Chocolate
- Gas-forming vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, etc
- Oranges and orange juice
- Strawberries
