How to Eat Well to Lose Weight While Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is already nature's gift to dieting new moms. The process burns up many extra calories while passing vital antibodies and nutrients on to the baby. The baby adds a wrinkle to a diet plan, because the breastfeeding mom must provide nourishment to the child without sabotaging the diet. Certain foods can help moms in this area.

Instructions

1

Eat healthy fats. Omega three fats and unsaturated fats are low in calories, healthy for the body and contribute to the baby's growth and development. Unsaturated fats are healthy additions to the fat content in breast milk needed to keep the baby's weight up. These fats are found in nut oils (grape seed and olive oil), grains like flaxseed and fatty fish (mackerel, salmon, tuna, sardines, herring). Incorporate these into your diet.

2

Lose the fat in your meat intake. Protein is necessary for burning fat, but animal fats that are bad for the diet often compromise them. Protein is essential for the baby's diet as well. Look to lean red meats and chicken. Also consider egg whites, fish and legumes.

3

Keep the good carbs. Refined flour pastries and breads are bad for the diet. However, whole grains, starchy veggies without the extra toppings and beans are complex carbohydrates that breastfeeding mothers need in order to burn the baby fat and have the energy to take care of the new baby. These carbs are necessary for the baby's growth as well.

4

Drink milk yourself. Calcium is helpful in weight loss and is necessary for building healthy bones in the baby, dependent on you for nourishment. Look for low fat, calcium rich milk, yogurt and cheeses, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

5

Use the USDA's MyPyramid for for Pregnancy & Breastfeeding for the food serving suggestions needed to eat well and lose the baby weight while breastfeeding. The pyramid is a guide geared toward helping moms make the healthiest food choices for themselves and their children.