by Wendy Wisner, IBCLC<\/p>\n
Fan Question:<\/p>\n
“Can you do the 10 Day Green Smoothie Cleanse while breastfeeding? \u00a0Thanks in advance!”<\/p>\n
Generally, breastfeeding moms can eat whatever they wish and in whatever amounts they please and still produce plenty of healthy milk for their babies.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, such an extreme diet as this is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers.\u00a0 There are a few reasons for this.\u00a0 First, this diet \u2013 which consists of mostly fruits and vegetables, and very little else \u2013 is almost certain to be too calorically restrictive for a breastfeeding mother.\u00a0 It is not recommended that a nursing mother consume fewer than 1500-1700 calories per day (http:\/\/kellymom.com\/nutrition\/mothers-diet\/mom-calories-fluids\/). And most nursing mothers need many more calories than that!\u00a0 Caloric restriction would have the most dramatic effect on the breastfeeding mother herself \u2013 she would end up feeling depleted and generally unwell.\u00a0 But eating too few calories can also decrease milk supply for some mothers.\u00a0 Probably the biggest concern here is that this diet guarantees a very rapid weight loss (15 pounds in 10 days), which is much too quick for a breastfeeding mother.\u00a0 Losing weight this rapidly could very likely cause a drop in a mother\u2019s milk supply.<\/p>\n
But if weight loss is a priority for you, numerous studies have shown that gradual<\/i> weight loss of a pound or two per week is perfectly healthy for a breastfeeding mother and will not adversely affect her milk composition or supply.\u00a0 Here is a link to one of these studies: (http:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/11281248?dopt=Abstract).\u00a0 And if you want to eat healthier while nursing, you can do a \u201cwhole foods\u201d detox.\u00a0 Focus on fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, healthy proteins, and unprocessed grains.\u00a0 See how much better you feel if you eat \u201cnothing from a box.\u201d\u00a0 Combine this with some aerobic exercise (take your baby for a brisk walk in a baby carrier or stroller), and you\u2019ll probably lose weight.\u00a0 But most of all, you\u2019ll feel wonderful!<\/p>\n
![\"unnamed\"](\"https:\/\/thebadassbreastfeeder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/unnamed.jpg\")
<\/a>Wendy Wisner is a Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), writer, and mother of two amazing boys.\u00a0 In addition to her work with breastfeeding moms, she has published two books of poems, and a handful of articles about mothering and breastfeeding.\u00a0 She blogs at www.nursememama.com<\/a>.
\n