By admin ,
Breastfeeding is so important for newborns that mothers are encouraged to nurse their baby completely, at least for the first six months upon birth. For one, breast milk is filled with antibodies that help develop and strengthen your child’s immune system.
Feeding your newborn with breast milk instead of formula is also an excellent way to help prevent upset stomach problems since breast milk has proteins that are easy for your baby to digest. Some research even suggests that children who are breastfed turn out smarter due to the presence of natural brain boosters in milk coming from mothers.
Given that breastfeeding benefits are truly enormous and helpful for the overall well-being of your child, you must then take care of your milk supply through the foods you eat.
You don’t have to spend a lot of time, money, or energy preparing healthy snacks and meals. In fact, some of them are ready-to-eat already and can be found right in your own kitchen or dining table. However, if you’re feeling inspired to put on a chef hat and apron, there are also easy homemade recipes that you can try out while on quarantine.
So go ahead, tuck this list of breastfeeding-friendly snacks next to your kitchen counter for great food ideas that are nutritious both for you and your little tyke:
1. Banana
Bananas are a good source of potassium, which is one of the essential minerals that your body needs to help it recover from the childbirth you just had. This fruit is effective in regulating muscle contractions like heartburn that commonly happens during pregnancy, as well as post-delivery. ‘’
Plus, bananas have natural sugars in them to provide you with enough energy as you go about tending to your newborn every day.
2. Greek yogurt
Indulging in a cup—or more—of Greek yogurt isn’t only refreshing and satisfying; it’s super healthy, too. With its lower sugar content compared with regular yogurt, Greek yogurt is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
Plus, it contains tons of healthy proteins, calcium, and the digestion-inducing bacteria known as probiotics. Altogether, these nutrients can make your body fitter and more resilient to the health and lifestyle changes that come with motherhood.
Tip: You can combine Greek yogurt with 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and sugar or sweetener as an optional ingredient. Then, top the mixture with blueberries or other fruits to turn your plain yogurt into dessert.
3. Cottage cheese
Just 1 cup of cottage cheese already gives you approximately 25 grams of protein. Snack on it anytime of the day or before bedtime for a good quality sleep.
Tip: A slice of wholegrain bread spread with cottage cheese can be topped with 1/2 sliced avocado to spruce up your snack with fiber and the good kind of fat.
4. Pretzels
Pretzels are a good alternative to other crunchy snacks like chips, which aren’t really healthy. Commercially sold pretzels are quite aplenty and easy to store and eat, too.
5. Hardboiled egg
Hardboiled eggs need to be in your breastfeeding menu for a couple of reasons. Nutrition-wise, they contain protein as well as choline, which helps in developing your baby’s brain. In terms of practicality and convenience, hardboiled eggs take very little preparation time, making it a quick bite that you can have any time.
Tip: For some spice, add a small amount of sriracha over sliced portions of hardboiled eggs.
6. Lactation cookies
Even if you’re nursing, you can still treat yourself to your favorite snacks like cookies. Lactation cookies are specifically meant for increasing milk production, but they taste as good as regular cookies. You can either order them online or search for easy-to-make recipes, so you can choose whether you want something dairy-free or vegan-based, depending on your diet preferences.
Best Snacks for Breastfeeding Moms
All moms need a little help in nursing their baby. Thankfully, there are tons of healthy foods that you can eat to ensure that your baby gets enough natural, nutrient-filled milk from you. As always, it’s best
