The Best Foods for Breastfeeding Hunger
Mama Natural
Breastfeeding is no joke—in fact, it’s like the equivalent of running an hour every day. 💪🏼 Without proper nourishment from real, whole foods, your body simply can’t keep up with the demands, and this can lead to fatigue, as well as supply issues.
That said, an exclusively breastfeeding mama needs plenty of food—at least 500 extra calories per day if your baby is exclusively breastfeeding. 🍽️
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👉Here are some things to focus on when looking at your breastfeeding diet:
🐟 Salmon. High in omega 3’s, protein, and antioxidants.
🥚 Eggs (be sure to include the yolk!) High in choline for baby’s brain, DHA, vitamin A.
🥬 Leafy greens like spinach and kale. High in magnesium, which is depleted during stress, and other trace minerals.
🍓 Berries like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries. High in antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber.
🌾 Quinoa, millet, and oats. Great non-gluten grains that are high in magnesium, phosphorus, and folate. Good for breast milk production too!
🌱 Seaweed like kelp. One of the best sources of micro-minerals like iodine.
🥕 Root vegetables like carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, yams. High in antioxidants, beta carotene, and healthy carbs.
🥩 Red meat and liver. In moderation, these foods are fortifiers for a new mom who may be low in iron, B vitamins, vitamin A, zinc, etc. Liver is said to be nature’s multivitamin because it’s so nutrient dense. It’s not easy to eat though so you can also look into supplementation. Look for a grass fed, hormone free brand who sells liver capsules.
Listen to your body and the signals it’s giving you. Eat when you’re hungry and hydrate constantly (if you’re thirsty, you’re already falling behind on water consumption). 💦
I want to hear from you! What are some of your favorite foods while breastfeeding? 🍴😊
