Postnatal body - Dieting

So pregnancy was a blast for everyone involved and suddenly you have a newborn appear in your arms. There are so many decisions to make, a little person attached to you 24/7 and not to mention the financial burden of only having one income for the oncoming months. Eating healthy or even feeling slightly good about yourself hasn’t even made it on to your priority list yet. Making little changes in the now will make you feel better in the long run and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. 

There are three stages to having a baby in my books:

Stage 1- PREGNANCY: The constant weight gain you become accustomed to which is “all baby” when you secretly know what foods you may have added to the menu. Cravings or not, pregnancy is always going to make you heavier, sluggish, and generally feel bleh.

Stage 2- NEWBORN: (For the purposes of my stage breakdown we are going to call this 0-6months) Whether breastfeeding or not, sleep seems like a dream, you eat chocolate by the block, find the nearest empty drive thru for lunch and eat irregularly (if at all). No energy and lack of motivation means you could be sitting in this lull for quite sometime missing the most “precious” baby moments of your wee bubs life.

Stage 3- POSTNATAL DELIGHT: (6months+) You just looked in the mirror for the first time since baby was born. This is the Aftermath, the 15 months of hell you just put your body through. Saggy, iron deficient, sticking out in places that make every outfit you put on look frumpy and you just resign yourself to the fact that this is the new you for the rest of your life.

There were so many times I wanted to change everything but sourcing information that was quick, easy, healthy AND affordable was like looking for a needle in a haystack of commercialisation. I wanted to help other mums so I set about collecting some experiences and tips suitable for the everyday mum with no time on her hands.

Tip #1: For an energy boost instead of reaching for multiple blocks of chocolate try a wholegrain cracker with low fat cheese, this has the best combination of carbs and protein to sustain energy for longer without packing on the pounds or heading for a sugar rush.

Tip #2: Always eat Breakfast- If you miss breakfast and you’re looking at your clock, eat a decent brunch. Just get a substantial high-carb, high-fiber breakfast/brunch meal in and your body will thank you for it.

Tip #3: Appetite fillers- Everyone knows that specific nuts can help you feel fuller for longer, but who actually grabs the right ones from the supermarket. If you can be bothered with nuts, which also carry other health benefits, then by all means add some pinenuts, almonds etc into your diet. Personally I find them ridiculously expensive and unnecessary when you can reap the same health benefits from foods already in your cupboard. Studies show that eggs alone can help you control your appetite for up to 36 hours, leafy greens help (start up that vege garden you have always meant to get round to) and who doesn’t love a Granny smith every now and then, chomp down an apple to get all the nutritional benefits of those awesome fruits.

Tip #4: Don’t take these tips as gospel, if you manage to get out of bed, wash that bottle, and open your eyes long enough to feed your baby, you are doing a fantastic job!


Check out our next post for tips on changing your diet to reduce anxiety.....