Breastfeeding mommies sometimes lose their pregnancy weight easily; other times, it seems breastfeeding keeps the pounds on. What gives? While breastfeeding an infant does burn approximately 500 calories per day – about the same as an hour-long jog – you must replenish those calories in order to keep breastfeeding. In other words, you gotta eat! A daily diet of no fewer than 1,800 calories is suggested to maintain a high quality, ample supply of milk. Try to get some of those calories from milk products like cheese, yogurt and milk (or calcium-fortified milk alternatives). A nursing body will leach calcium from the bones in order to produce milk if calcium is not sufficiently supplied. Try grabbing a small glass of milk (or soy milk/almond milk/rice milk) when you nurse baby and aim for 2-3 glasses per day.
~ Dara Duff-Bergeron is a veteran fitness trainer and a specialist in women’s health and fitness. With a decade under her belt, Dara now shares her exceptional experience and down-to-earth philosophy through Fit Family (fitfamily.ca) personal training and Belly Bootcamp (www.bellybootcamp.ca/) pre- and post-natal fitness. Dara is mommy of one with another on the way, and lives in Toronto with her own little fit family.
