Dietary protein plays an important structural role in your body as a component of internal organs, skin and muscle tissue. It also assists in a functional capacity by supporting your immune system, manufacturing red blood cells and synthesizing hormones. When you are nursing, the protein you consume builds and maintains your breast tissue and creates the milk proteins to nourish your growing baby. Whey protein is a dietary supplement that can help you meet your daily protein requirements. However, consult with your health care provider before adding any supplement to your nutrition plan.
Whey Protein
Whey protein comprises about 20 percent of the protein in cow's milk, notes the University of Illinois McKinley Health Center. As with all animal proteins, whey contains all essential amino acids, the building blocks of proteins you need in your diet because your body cannot create them. Whey protein supplements are available as powders, pills or prepackaged drinks, and they come in the form of concentrates, isolates or hydrolysates. Concentrates contain variable amounts of protein as well as lactose and small quantities of milk fat, while isolates have at least 90 percent protein and no lactose or fat. The whey protein in hydrolysates is partially digested for optimal absorption.
Protein Needs
Your nursing diet should include 71 grams of protein each day, notes the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. This amount of protein meets not only your needs but also those of your developing child. Consuming the type of high-quality protein found in whey is critical when you are nursing in order to prevent your body from scavenging amino acids from your muscle tissue if dietary protein is scarce. Your dietary protein can include whole-food proteins, whey supplements or a combination of the two.
Benefits
Whey protein boosts your body's level of glutathione, an antioxidant that supports your immune system. Whey is easily absorbed by your digestive system, allowing its full complement of essential amino acids to quickly reach your tissues. Whey protein is convenient to use, either at home or on the go, which can simplify life for busy mothers. You can prepare protein shakes or smoothies with whey or incorporate it into baked goods to bolster their nutritional value.
Drawbacks
A well-balanced meal plan with a variety of nutrients is vital to a healthy nursing diet. Despite its beneficial protein, whey does not provide the vitamins, minerals or heart-healthy fats of foods such as beef, yogurt or salmon. Additionally, because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate nutritional supplements, you cannot be certain what is in the package. For example, in the July 2010 issue of "Consumer Reports," researchers found heavy metal contaminants in samples of protein drinks they tested. Selecting whole-food proteins instead of whey supplements could help reduce your and your nursing baby's exposure to such toxins.
References
- University of Illinois McKinley Health Center: Creatine and Whey Protein Supplements; December 2008
- Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service: Protein and the Body; Janice Hermann
- Ohio State University Extension: Nutritional Needs of Pregnancy and Breastfeeding; July 2009
- ConsumerReports: Alert -- Protein Drinks; July 2010
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