post-delivery nutrition

[EVOO4]

Does anyone have great recipes that are zero- or extremely low- fat and also offer great nutrition for a woman after delivering a first baby (and also will taste good to the new dad)? I'd appreciate your help. THANKS!

[DocAgocs]

Don't go extremely low fat. Your body is now in a rebuilding stage, especially with hormones. The worst thing you can be doing right now is to go very low fat. My recommendation would be to use only "real fats" (butter, flaxseed oil and for cooking, olive oil) and avoid the fat substitutes, even if they say they contain "no trans fats."

You should be taking about 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil per day right now and fat sihould make up about 30% of your total calories. You can still lose your post-partum weight like this. If you go too low on fats your endocrine system will be a mess and you'll lose weight faster but have a bunch of problems you never want to have!

Breast-feeding is the best way to lose pregnancy weight and tone everything up again. Talk about burning calories! Also, hormones that help with milk production and let down also tone the uterine muscles.

One more thing to consider is to focus on B vitamins during the next 6 months or so. Your body really needs a lot of certain B vitamins when you're pregnant, so you get depleted quite easily. Also, most cases of postpartum depression are a direct result of water-soluble B vitamins. Most B vitamins on the market are from synthetic sources and include both fat and water soluble types in one tablet. These lead to further depletion over long periods of use. To replenish the B's you're most likely missing out on use Standard Process's Cataplex B (Contains only B1, B3, B6 and B4) product at about 6-9 per day for about 6 months. You'll feel great!

I know this was a lot of advice you didn't ask for, but seriously DO NOT go low fat after pregnancy to lose weight quickly. You'll screw yourself up bigtime. Could lead to all sorts of PMS symptoms, thyroid problems and endocrine problems in general. Feed your body what it needs in moderation, and that means the fats I mentioned, and you'll do a lot better. Replace those B's, get plenty of the right kind of fats and cut out the junk food and you'll do fine. Good luck!

[MrsReber]

Great advice, Doc! I was going to say the same thing (well, almost. I don't have much of a medical background ;) )- Don't go low fat!!! Especially when breastfeeding. Labor and delivery is a big deal and your body will be going through massive changes. Now is not the time to worry about getting back into shape. Take is slowly- and take it from a mom of 2 (1 and 2 year old). The shape will come back and there is plenty of time for exercise and low fat eating later. Priority number one is take care of yourself and baby!

[RunnerKim]

I agree - the focus needs to be on foods that will give the mom energy. Quality sources of calories. That said, I can't tell you how wondeful a salad was to me in those first weeks - DH and I just didn't have the time/energy to make one. Sheesh even slicing and apple and putting some peanutbutter on it was a major undertaking.

Kim

[valchemist]

when I read your question, the first thing I thought was -- don't go low fat. everyone else here said what I would have said, so I won't bother to elaborate. don't worry. the weight will come off -- especially if you are nursing. don't starve yourself at this important time. it isn't good for you or for your baby. good luck!

[EVOO4]

Thanks!