Everyone’s body is different, especially when it comes to pregnancy and post-pregnancy. While some women can zip up their old skinny jeans in as little as a few days after giving birth, others still look a few months pregnant for longer than they anticipated.
Either way, your body and your baby need the right nutrients to thrive postpartum, so it’s important to maintain a healthy diet without pushing yourself too hard to lose the pregnancy weight. So here are five tips for healthy postpartum eating.
Eat small frequent meals
Getting enough calories while breastfeeding is important for maintaining your milk supply, and experts recommend getting an extra 500 calories a day. Eating small meals four to six times a day, instead of eating three large meals, is a great way to initiate weight loss without lowering milk supply.
Indulge in fruits and veggies
Filling up on fruits and vegetables instead of giving in to junk food cravings is the best thing you can do for both you and your baby if you’re choosing to breastfeed. Vitamins, minerals, and fiber are extremely important for recovering after giving birth, and they get passed to your little one through your breast milk.
Stay hydrated
If you’re breastfeeding, you know what real thirst feels like. Staying hydrated after pregnancy is extremely important becuase it helps your body detox and boosts your milk supply at the same time. Doctors recommend drinking eight to 12 tall glasses of water a day after pregnancy, but many women need even more than that.
Add in healthy fats
Healthy fats like nuts, avocado, olive oil, and salmon help decrease the chances of postpartum depression by giving your brain a much-needed boost. Eating healthy fats also nourishes your baby’s brain development.
Pack in protein
Incorporating enough protein into your diet will curb your hunger and keep you energized. Fish, eggs, and lean cuts of meat are all rich in iron and B12. Getting enough B12 can help you make it through the day without overdoing it on caffeine.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
