The keto diet for breastfeeding mothers, is it safe to do so?

After giving birth, you will want to get back slimmer in no time. That is the reason why most breastfeeding mothers are willing to go on a diet so that they lose weight quickly. Of the many types of diets available, most women choose the keto diet. So, is the keto diet for breastfeeding mothers safe for both mother and baby? Here's the explanation.

Can breastfeeding mothers go on the keto diet?

The ketogenic diet or keto diet for short is a type of diet that has a low carbohydrate diet, but high fat. For example, by eating more meat, dairy products such as butter orbutter, and other protein sources.

This diet was originally designed specifically for people who have a history of epilepsy. In fact, this diet is an extreme diet because it requires activists to consume very low amounts of carbohydrates.

Even so, nowadays many rely on the keto diet as the ultimate way to lose weight. Obviously, not a few breastfeeding mothers are tempted to apply this keto diet.

Quoted from Parents, until now there is no strong evidence to suggest that the keto diet can reduce the amount of breast milk or reduce its quality. Even so, Elizabeth Ward, an author of Expect The Best: Your Guide to Healthy Eating Before, During, and After Pregnancy, does not recommend the keto diet for breastfeeding mothers.

What is the effect of the keto diet for nursing mothers?

Elizabeth Ward revealed that the keto diet can reduce nutritional intake for nursing mothers. The reason is, the keto diet prevents you from getting important nutrients from fruits and whole grains which are actually healthy foods.

Yes, it's also not advisable for you to eat whole grains, potatoes, and rice while on the keto diet. As a result, your body will lack fiber and result in indigestion.

In addition, the keto diet also makes it easier for you to become dehydrated. This is because the liver will produce compounds called ketones which are used as energy, but these ketones will also be wasted with urine. So don't be surprised if you become dehydrated quickly while on the keto diet.

What's more, you can't eat fruits that contain lots of water, such as watermelon, star fruit, tomatoes, or grapefruit to treat dehydration. In fact, you need a lot of fluids so that milk production is abundant and sufficient for your little one's needs.

Is the keto diet dangerous for babies?

The good news is, the keto diet is not dangerous for your baby's health. The reason is, breast milk contains high fat which is needed by your little one.

When you eat foods high in fat, your baby will automatically adapt naturally to the ketosis conditions in your body. Even so, this does not mean that you are encouraged to go on the keto diet while breastfeeding, huh.

Instead of going on a keto diet, choose the right type of carbohydrates

The keto diet is a diet that is quite extreme because it does not allow carbohydrate intake to be more than 30 percent of the total daily calorie requirement. Even though normal adults need at least 50-60 percent of carbohydrates from total daily calories.

The numbers on the keto diet are quite far from what it should be, especially for those of you who need a lot of energy to breastfeed. Well, actually it doesn't matter if you slightly reduce your carbohydrate intake, but don't avoid it altogether as the principle of the keto diet.

Instead of cutting down on carbohydrates, you can choose the right type, for example carbohydrates that are full of fiber such as whole wheat grains, whole wheat bread, to brown rice.

That way, you can still maintain or even lose weight because of the high fiber intake. You also don't need to worry about lack of energy and decreased milk production.

Also keep in mind, if you want to reduce carbohydrate intake, you should do it when the baby is 6 months old and ready to be weaned. It is better if you consult a nutritionist before determining the diet that you will do while breastfeeding.

Remember, changing your diet will affect the quantity of breast milk. So don't choose the wrong diet, huh.