What’s a healthy breastfeeding diet?
If you’re breastfeeding, a healthy breastfeeding diet is important as it can affect your baby as much as you. Get tips on what not to eat when breastfeeding and what to eat when breastfeeding.
- Eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fiber.
- When it comes to fruits and vegetables, aim for at least 5 servings of fruit a day, and 7 servings of vegetables a day. For example, 1 serving of fruit could be an extra small banana, 1 cup of raspberries, or 17 grapes. 1 serving of vegetable could be ½ cup of cooked vegetables such as broccoli, ½ cup of cooked canned tomatoes, or 1 cup of raw vegetables, such as carrot.
- Limit caffeine as it may keep baby awake.
- Avoid drinking of alcohol.
- If you’re exclusively breastfeeding, you’ll need an extra 330 calories of healthy food a day for the first six months.
- Aim for 10 servings of grains a day. For example, 1 serving = 1 slice whole-wheat bread, 1/3 cup cooked rice, or ¾ cup ready-to-eat unsweetened cereal.
- Drink 6-8 glasses of fluids—preferably water—a day. It’s a good idea to have a drink by your side when you’re breastfeeding.
- Aim for 7 servings of protein-rich food a day, such as lean meat, chicken, eggs, nuts, seeds, and pulses, which are good sources of iron. For example, 1 serving is 30g (1oz) meat, fish, or poultry, or 1 egg.
- Aim for 4 servings of dairy or suitable plant-based substitutes a day, for calcium and protein. For example, 1 serving is 1 cup milk or 1 cup plain yogurt.
- Take a daily supplement with 10 micrograms of Vitamin D.
- Avoid eating fish high in mercury such as shark, swordfish and marlin.
- Oily fish such as mackerel are great, but try not to eat more than 2 servings a week.
- Prepare healthy nibbles before you go to bed to snack on during night feeds.
Source:
https://www.smababy.co.uk/newborn/what-to-eat-when-breastfeeding/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/breastfeeding-diet/
https://www.smababy.co.uk/newborn/what-to-eat-when-breastfeeding/
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