When a woman has a baby, her whole life changes. Though most of these changes bring joy and happiness, women also gain weight during the pregnancy that they usually want to lose after giving birth. Breastfeeding is a very healthy way to feed a baby, though not all diets for weight loss are recommended for breastfeeding mothers. The no carbohydrate diet, which may lead to rapid weight loss, is not recommended for breastfeeding women.
Function of Carbohydrates
According to Oklahoma State University, the main purpose of carbohydrates is to provide the body with energy. Not only do carbohydrates give the body energy to move around and be active, but Oklahoma State University states that carbohydrates are the only fuel for the brain and its nerve cells to work on. Carbohydrates are essential because they help us to function in ways like breathing, contracting our muscles and regulating our own body temperature.
Ketosis and Protein Intake
Carbohydrate-free diets force the body to go into a process called ketosis, where the body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. La Leche League International explains that there are safety concerns regarding ketosis and breastfed babies. The ketones produced as a by-product of ketosis may possibly go into the breast milk and harm the baby, according to La Leche League International. Additionally, diets with no carbohydrates are very high in protein and fat, which may alter the composition of breast milk.
Weight Loss
Another concern regarding breastfeeding moms who want to cut all carbohydrates out of their diet is the potential weight loss that can ensue. Since carbohydrate-free diets are usually low in calories, and cause a woman's body to burn fat rather than carbohydrates, rapid weight loss can occur, especially during the first few weeks of the diet. La Leche League International states that if a breastfeeding mother loses weight too quickly, the quality of her breast milk may decrease, and toxins stored in the body fat may be released into the breast milk, potentially harming the baby.
Necessary Nutrients
Kelly Bonyata, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, explains on her website that low-carbohydrate and no-carbohydrate diets are not balanced enough and they lack essential nutrients. Since there are carbohydrates in all whole grains, fruits and vegetables, a carbohydrate-free diet would eliminate all of these foods so that the mother wouldn't get enough antioxidants, vitamins or minerals that she needs. Since most of what the mom eats transfers to her baby during breastfeeding, the mother's milk would not be as nutritious if she didn't eat any carbohydrates whatsoever.
Milk Supply
Another side effect associated with no-carbohydrate diets is that they can decrease a woman's breast milk supply, according to Kelly Bonyata. She explains that without enough carbohydrates it's easy to become dehydrated because of the lack of nutrients. This can hinder a woman's ability to make enough breast milk to sustain her baby. She also states that low-carbohydrate, and therefore no-carbohydrate, diets are usually low in calories, which can also cause a decrease in a woman's breast milk supply.
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