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Is it safe to be a superhero while breast-feeding?
Started
by catgirl
on October 29, 2009
I feel like I need to be a superhero in more ways than one but I wonder if it's safe while breast-feeding. I think I've fallen between a flirt and a vegan for the last several years and I don't believe that has been a problem. However, when I read more about how you can get symptoms from detoxing (which I've never had) it makes me a bit nervous. Anyone been there done that?
oh, and thanks in advance! Tracy
I don't have any experience with this other than what I have read, but as long as you plan your diet with a little care and be sure to get all of your nutrients (I know breastfeeding women need to watch a few vitamins/minerals carefully - like folic acid, b12, iodine) you should be better than fine! You should pick up that book discussed under pregnancy - your vegetarian pregnancy. As far as detoxing? I would THINK that you should take it sort of slow as to not shock your body too much - but I have no experience with that. Well-planned vegan diets are perfectly healthy for mothers and children.
Hey Catgirl! Been there, done that, and doing it right now. I am breastfeeding and 17 weeks pregnant at the same time. I am largely on a superhero diet. The superhero diet is very nurishing to the body, so the body tends to absorb more nutrients. I also take me pre-natal vitamins to make sure I'm getting enough B-12 and anything else I might be lacking. I have been vegan 11 years and have been through 2 other pregnancies as a vegan. My babies have turned out healthy and happy. As a matter of fact, I can't tell you how many comments I have gotten about how beautiful my babies skin is when they are born. I hope to post pictures of myself and them soon, so people can see how healthy they look being vegan. I'm technically challenged, so my husband will help me with that. As far as detoxing goes. ...just listen to your body. You may need to eat more often and it's okay to cheat with other vegan foods from time to time if you need something quick(meaning processed items). Ofcourse, none of us want processed foods, but if I'm in a pinch and need something fast, I use what I have. Hope this helps and I would love to answer anymore questions for you. Best-Temple
Thanks so much to both of your responses. I also do still take my prenatal vitamins just to be certain I'm getting everything I need. I'm hoping all of the added greens (i must confess, I'm normally not super imaginative with my greens...it's normally either spinach or whatever prewashed organic salad greens i can find) will work magic on my breastmilk. Last spring I had started making raw green juices at home and from day one my son started nursing for WAY longer than he had been nursing. Unfortunately, with two kids I just couldn't keep up with the juicing. It was a lot of work.
catgirl you should try Kale! I happen to love it raw and eat it in salads, but you can also steam/stir-fry whatever. It is a bit "better" than spinach because it is very high in iron, calcium, and even omega 3s I think - and it allows your body to absorb it better (alicia i think talks about spinach and how it hinders your body's absorption of these vitamins/minerals). I use kale in my green smoothies that I eat for breakfast as well - that might be faster than juicing, and an easy way to get in the greens?
Oh another Kale idea is a soup. I went to www.compassionatecooks.com and there is video cast of Garlic Greens soup. I used Kale and it was so delicious. Its great and you can have leftovers for the next day. I hope this helps.
I LOVE that soup, fitmama!
Thank Heather! Now when you say kale in your smoothies does that mean you're just putting in the whole kale and it all gets pureed and not "juicing" it?
Also, Thanks fitmama...that sounds great. Do you have any idea if the recipe is written anywhere or should I just jot it down while watching the video? Thanks in advance!
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