Diet after pregnancy - what every mother should know

Most women gain significant amount of weight during pregnancy. This is not a bad thing, in fact some weight gain is encouraged by the doctors because the mother has to eat for the baby as well. However, the problem is how to lose that weight after the baby is born. It takes some time for the body to go back to normal after the delivery, which is why restrictive diets are not recommended in this period.

The main rule for mothers who want to lose weight after pregnancy is to eat healthy. The diet should be rich in all the essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, protein, rich in fiber and low in fat. The food should also be as natural as possible. With a well-balanced diet and no overeating, the pounds will probably start shedding on their own, and if they do not, some exercise will definitely help.

Foods to avoid

The foods that should be avoided in order to lose weight after the delivery are pretty much the same as those that are avoided on regular diets. Basically, very caloric foods should be avoided altogether. Those include the foods with high content of simple sugars and trans fatty acids, such as French fries, chips, mayonnaise, margarine, chocolate, candy, sodas, cookies and other snacks and sweets.

Another type of food to avoid is spicy and very salty food. The reason for this lies in the fact that even after the pregnancy the hormones are still high and there is still a chance of morning sickness. Another reason is that spicy food can reflect on the quality of milk in breastfeeding women, by altering the taste so the baby does not like it.

Foods to eat

Foods rich in dietary fiber, both water-soluble and insoluble, are highly recommended. Fiber regulates the function of the gastrointestinal tract, soaks up and eliminates toxins and thus promotes weight loss. In addition, fiber-rich foods satisfy the appetite really well and reduce food cravings. Dietary fiber can be found in fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and granola.

If they want to lose weight, new mothers should eat foods that are low on calories but rich in nutrients. Salads with light or no dressing, fresh fruit, lean meat, poultry, fish, low-fat milk or soy milk, tofu, beans, lentils, protein shakes, oats, rye bread, graham crackers and brown rice are just some of the suggestions for women who want to lose weight after pregnancy.

Adequate water intake is another important element in this process. Water flushes out toxins from the body and creates a feeling of fullness. It is recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water per day, although some of it can be replaced by herbal teas, lemonade and freshly squeezed fruit juices.

The most important thing to remember is that there is no need to hurry. Radical weight loss after pregnancy can sometimes be dangerous for the health and it is much better to simply eat healthy and exercise couple of times a week. The weight loss may not be as quick as many women would want it to be, but it will be healthier and permanent.