New mothers find themselves searching for post pregnancy diet plans, and most of them feel uncomfortable with the extra weight that remained after giving birth. If you are one of them, you don’t have to worry, because with proper diet and exercise, you can have your pre-pregnancy body back. But before you begin any diet plans, you must first assess yourself and your priorities.
Don’t Get Discouraged
Just as you gained the weight gradually as you progressed through your pregnancy, your weight loss must also be gradual. Losing weight after giving birth is not an overnight feat. It takes careful planning and discipline. Because of a new baby to take care of, post pregnancy diet plans often take the back seat for new mothers. But, this should not discourage you because anytime is a good time to start getting back into shape.
Breastfeeding Your Baby
If you are breastfeeding, then chances are you would need to increase your intake of healthy foods, including protein, vegetables and fruits, because you’re not only feeding yourself but your baby as well. But take heart, because studies have shown that breastfeeding your baby can actually make you lose weight naturally. Although this may ring true for some mothers, some breastfeeding mothers fail to lose weight even when they’ve been breastfeeding for months. So, it is best to breastfeed and have a diet plan as well.
Diet Tips for Breastfeeding Moms
When you are breastfeeding, you must keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water everyday. You must also watch how many calories you take in daily. A 2,500 calorie diet should be an adequate daily count. This is important so you don’t exceed your calorie needs and gain more weight in the process. It is advisable to take small meals, that is 5 to 6 smaller meals a day, compared to 2 or 3 large meals. You must include an adequate amount of protein during each meal to increase your metabolism. It is best to minimize eating sugary foods, as they increase your fat reserves.
Diet Tips for Non-Breastfeeding Mothers
If you are not breastfeeding your baby, then you can resume the diet that worked for you before this pregnancy. It is important that you are eating complete healthy meals that will provide your body with adequate vitamins and minerals to help you take care of your growing family. Include vegetables, fruits, cheese, meat and fish in your meals. Don’t eat your meals hurriedly, as you may have a tendency to under eat, which would make you crave more foods during the day.
Exercise for New Mothers
If you delivered your baby traditionally, you can start light exercises after six weeks from your delivery date. And, if you delivered by cesarean section, after eight weeks your body should be ready to sweat it out. It would be best to get yourself evaluated by your obstetrician first, so you can be confident that you are doing the right thing.
