Having a baby is one of the most wonderful experiences that life has to offer. Unfortunately, many women gain weight during the pregnancy and have a hard time losing that extra weight even a year after having the baby. Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed a baby. If you're breastfeeding and considering a diet to lose weight, such as the South Beach Diet, there are some important considerations to note before you begin.
South Beach Diet
According to the Mayo Clinic, the South Beach Diet was created in 2003 by a cardiologist named Arthur Agatston. The diet is fairly low in carbohydrates and instead emphasizes the intake of protein-rich foods as well as healthful fats. The Mayo Clinic states that up to 28 percent of your daily calories can come from carbohydrates on the South Beach Diet, while typical recommendations for the general public are anywhere from 55 percent to 65 percent of calories from carbohydrates per day. The diet has three different phases and emphasizes the intake of healthy carbohydrates like whole grains instead of unhealthful, refined carbohydrates.
Weight Loss While Breastfeeding
Though there are many purported benefits of the South Beach Diet, the Mayo Clinic states that the main purpose of the diet is to promote weight loss. Kelly Bonyata, an international board certified lactation consultant, writes on her parenting website Kellymom that it is possible to lose weight safely while breastfeeding provided that you follow some guidelines. She recommends waiting until your baby is at least 2 months old to start dieting and never eating fewer than 1,500 calories in a day, since your body burns 200 to 500 extra calories each day just making breast milk.
Low Carbohydrate Diets while Breastfeeding
The concept of being on a low-carbohydrate diet while breastfeeding is controversial. Kelly Bonyata recommends not skipping out on fruits, vegetables and whole grains because they supply important nutrients for the breast milk. She also states that a low carbohydrate diet tends to dehydrate some people, so you need to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Milk Supply
One important factor in the success of a woman's breastfeeding is her milk supply. If a woman doesn't produce enough milk, she will not make enough to feed her baby and she will have to supplement with formula. This will also result in her burning fewer calories. Kelly Bonyata says that a sudden decrease in calories can reduce a woman's milk supply. She also explains that some women's milk supplies decrease when they go on low-carbohydrate diets like the South Beach Diet, possibly due to insufficient intake of calories or to dehydration.
Weight Loss from the South Beach Diet
The South Beach Diet has been purported to help dieters lose up to 13 pounds in the first two weeks of the diet, according to the Mayo Clinic. Weight loss at such a rapid pace is generally not recommended during breastfeeding. Kelly Bonyata recommends that breastfeeding women lose up to a maximum of 1.5 pounds per week and no more, to preserve the quantity and quality of milk.
Member Comments