You feel bloated, don’t you? Are you frustrated by the weight you’ve gained during pregnancy? Well, we have a few tips that may help you to resolve these feelings and move forward. First, let’s dive into when the right time to start such a diet is and how to proceed.
We know that after having a baby, life is hectic, and there’s no doubt about that, of course! Keeping a healthy diet isn’t always easy, perhaps time escapes you, and you don’t see the point in pursuing such a diet.
Losing Post Partum Weight
Losing weight gradually is the best approach. Neither losing too much weight nor gaining too much weight is suitable for either you or your baby. The gist is that having a healthy diet before, during, and after the pregnancy is ideal.
But along with the diet, if you want it to be effective, add a tad bit of exercise in there. The good news is that you can start to exercise a few days after giving birth. In case of a cesarean section, consult your doctor before beginning these activities to be safe. Because this kind of delivery usually results in acute inflammation, and if you have that, you shouldn’t exercise until it completely heals. Otherwise, your stitches will start paining, and we don’t want that to happen, right? So, the best approach is to discuss everything with your OB/GYN.
Post-Pregnancy Diet Plan
Never do a crash diet after pregnancy. That comes in the top ten most terrible ideas ever. Statistically, women need 1500 to 2200 calories to carry out all bodily functions. And in the case of women who are breastfeeding, you need a minimum of 1800 calories.
An excellent way to start is to aim to lose around 1.5 pounds every week. If you are consuming barely above the minimum required for proper nourishment, try to cut approximately 500 calories from your daily intake. Most pregnancy diet plans to advise the mothers to eat 5 to 6 relatively small meals instead of three heavy meals. The diet should also include snacks, as a mother can become hungry after breastfeeding and requires a consistent energy intake to keep up and avoid skipping meals.
What to Eat
Now that you are prepared to follow through with your post-partum diet plan, you need to decide what foods to eat on a daily basis and which to alternate between. The following are those that should be included in your diet:
Fiber
Aids in the digestion of food. Eating a healthy amount of soluble fiber also regulates your hunger hormones and thus, as a result, allows you to eat less.
Protein
Lean meat, eggs, fish, dairy, and other sources of healthy protein serve as a boost for your metabolism. They aid in controlling your appetite hence reducing your daily intake of calories.
Complex Carbohydrates
Constant energy supply all day long since they take longer than other food to break down.
Unsaturated and Polyunsaturated fats
Swearing off fats will not do you any good. It would help if you had fats to perform your daily bodily functions. Avoid saturated fats. However, make sure to consume foods that are in rich in polyunsaturated and unsaturated fats to stay healthy.
What to Avoid Eating
As it is necessary to consume some foods, it is best to avoid others. Here are some you should keep away from:
Refined Carbohydrates or Sugary food
Sugary food has a high-calorie value yet a low-nutrient one. It will help add to your weight while not being beneficial by much. Plus, it can add to problems like heart issues and diabetes. Well, we’re afraid you’ll need to swear off soft drinks, biscuits, cakes, and desserts for a while.
Processed Food Products
Similarly, you also need to avoid processed food that, includes fast food and pre-packed products. These are high in calories, have a low nutrient value, and are rich in saturated fat. So this is also a big no, we’re afraid.
Baby Bump: Before We Part!
Now that we’ve listed down all the essential food remember to take it slow. Similarly, regularly check out for any signs of inflammation and see your doctor as soon as you observe it. Remember that it is better to stay healthy than to look good, and you are doing this for yourself as well as your baby.
