The right diet is key to get back into shape after pregnancy

Dubai, United Arab Emirates; February 17, 2015: Most people know how important good nutrition is during pregnancy, but it is necessary to know too that eating healthy after you have your baby is equally important!  As Mother's Day approaches, Right Bite celebrates motherhood with top secrets on nutrition and losing weight post-pregnancy.

It is necessary to get all of the required nutrients your body needs, and more, in order to maximize the little energy you may have as a new mother. While breast milk is not generally affected by any specific type of food, however if the body doesn't get the required amount of nutrients, it will start using from its own storage. Eating correctly can combat the exhaustion and mood changes that are associated at the start of motherhood.

Hala Abu Taha, a dietitian for Right Bite who works closely with pregnant and nursing mothers, explained, “The two most common symptoms of being a new mom are fatigue and depression. Luckily, there are a variety of super foods that can help fight these things. Complex carbohydrates increase serotonin levels in the brain, the hormone that controls your mood. The best way to fight fatigue is by incorporating small, frequent snacks that are loaded with complex carbohydrates such as trail mix, oatmeal, yogurt, and high fiber cereals. Vitamin B3 has an essential role in energy metabolism; foods such as beef, dried beans, chicken, and fish are a good way to get Vitamin B3 in your diet. Zinc is another important mineral that supports different processes in the brain and body. Lack of zinc in your diet can lead to irritability and depression. Foods that are loaded in zinc include eggs, fish, and yogurt.” 

Similar to zinc, Vitamin C deficiencies have also been linked with depression. Hala said that increasing your diet with foods such as peas and raspberries can help battle depression. “Adding servings of calcium-rich foods may help ward off depression and anxiety. Your best bets for calcium are yogurt, cheese, sardines with bones, milk, and salmon with bones, sesame seeds, or calcium-fortified juices. The important thing to remember is that you need to eat!  This is not the time to follow a strict diet as your body needs enough energy and the right nutrients during this period and so it is necessary to know that it's not about eating less, it's about balancing your meals. Another thing to keep in mind is to watch the clock; eat something about every three or four hours to help keep your blood sugar and energy levels steady throughout the day,” she added.

Asked for advice about healthy weight loss after giving birth, Hala commented, “Eating healthily is not the only thing that can get you back into shape and help you lose those extra baby pounds. Most women tend to try too hard to do so much too soon and if this happens, you're likely to find yourself feeling exhausted and discouraged and less likely to continue, and you'll wind up carrying that baby weight a lot longer. A post-partum mom needs at least 400 extra calories a day if breastfeeding. Whereas if she is exclusively breastfeeding, or giving the baby breast milk only, a woman loses an average of 400 - 600 calories which means that simply breastfeeding can help you lose weight but it is also necessary to make sure your diet is aligned with your new needs. Women aren't necessarily ready for strenuous exercise until 6 months after the birth of their child, however once given the green light from their physician, a walk around the block would be great! Weight training will also go a long way towards speeding up your metabolism. For the first 6 weeks after the baby is born, using gym equipment that could be harmful is not recommended.”

The Right Bite Nutrition Centre is located in the heart of Dubai, with telephone numbers +971 4 3388763 and +971 4 3425208. It also operates in Abu Dhabi, with a satellite office located at The American Surgecenter, 26th Street, Villa 408, Al Rawdah Area, telephone number +9712 4430909.