Having a baby can make you gain a lot of weight. Here’s how you shed the kilos.
Don’t diet.
Going on an official “diet” could upset your post-pregnancy weight loss plans. Feeling sad and deprived of your favorite foods while you’re already stressed out by your new role of a mother could actually cause you to gain weight.
Instead of dieting, eat a well-balanced variety of foods. Keep different snacks in the house to keep you from feeling hungry and give you energy throughout the day. Apple slices, carrot sticks, and wheat crackers are all good for your body.
No matter how much you want to lose weight, try not to dip below 1,800 calories a day, particularly if you are breastfeeding.
Load up on “super foods.”
When you step into motherhood, your body needs maximum nutrition, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Opt for foods that are loaded in the nutrients you need and light in calories and fat.
Fish is one of these “super foods” because it’s full of DHA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid that helps your baby develop a healthy brain and nervous system. The best sources of DHA are cold-water fish such as salmon, sardines, and tuna.
Milk and yogurt are also super foods because they’re full of the calcium you need to keep your bones strong. Lean meat, chicken, and beans are low in fat and high in protein and fiber. They’re good for you, and they’ll keep you feeling full for longer.
Breastfeed.
Breastfeeding is good for your baby, boosting immunity and gives a number of other important health benefits. And nursing lets you add about an extra 300 calories a day to your diet . Just make sure that if you do breastfeed, you don’t use it as an justification to eat whatever you want.
Drink up.
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day prevents you from getting dehydrated and also fills you up so that you don’t eat as much. It may speed up your metabolism as well.
If you’re drinking enough fluids, your urine should be moderately clear, and you should be going to the bathroom about every three to four hours.
Exercise
You also need to slot in aerobic and strength training exercises after pregnancy to burn calories and keep your muscles and bones strong. Exercise, beyond helping you lose weight, provides so many benefits to a new mom. It helps with depression, it helps with the sleeping issues, it helps in relieving stress .
