Is It Okay To Breastfeed On The Keto Diet?
The keto diet is crazy-popular—likely because it has helped lots of people lose weight (whether or not that weight loss is sustainable though, is TBD).
It makes sense then that new moms are jumping on that keto train to lose the baby weight—but is it safe to breastfeed on the keto diet?
Jenna Jameson thinks so. The former adult film star has been all about that keto life lately, and she recently pointed out that she’s breastfeeding her daughter Batelli while on the diet.
“Obviously [breastfeeding is] so important, but is keto ok while breastfeeding? From my experience it ABSOLUTELY is!” she wrote. “My supply is healthy and strong, I haven’t seen any dips in supply, letdowns, or in Batelli’s reaction to taste.”
Happy #breastfeedingweek ! Batelli and me are 16 months strong ?? I wanted to talk about eating healthy and ??. Obviously it’s So important, but is Keto ok while breastfeeding? From my experience it ABSOLUTELY is! My supply is healthy and strong, I haven’t seen any dips in supply, letdowns, or in Batellis reaction to taste. I think we are indoctrinated to think we HAVE to carb-load to have lots of milk… it’s simply untrue. Make sure you’re getting adequate veggies, leafy greens and grass fed meats and fish… I also recommend slowly siding into the #ketolifestyle by slow subtraction of carbs to monitor your supply. On another note, today is the last day to enter my giveaway contest!!!! A few posts ago is the contest! I will be announcing the lucky winner tomorrow!!!!! ♥️ #keto #normalizebreastfeeding #momlife #fitmom
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“We are indoctrinated to think we HAVE to carb-load to have lots of milk…it’s simply untrue,” she wrote, adding that breastfeeding moms should make sure they’re getting enough veggies and leafy greens, along with grass-fed meats and fish.”
Jenna did, however, recommend moms ease into the keto diet while breastfeeding: “I also recommend slowly siding into the #ketolifestyle by slow subtraction of carbs to monitor your supply,” she wrote.
Okay, let’s talk about this: Is it really safe to breastfeed on the keto diet?
Women are generally discouraged from being on any kind of diet when they’re nursing—but, obviously, it’s your body, so you decide what you eat.
As a baseline, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends trying to get around 2,500 calories a day to make breast milk for your baby. They also suggest eating fish and seafood two to three times a week, but avoiding fish high in mercury (like ahi tuna or swordfish). Otherwise, they say you may want to keep taking a prenatal vitamin and that you should drink plenty of fluids—and that’s it.
But as for a definitive ruling on the keto diet while breastfeeding, well, there isn’t one. “Unfortunately, the current research on the keto diet and breastfeeding is very limited,” says women’s health expert Jennifer Wider, M.D. “Depending on who you ask, the answer might be different.”
Wider does add, however, that breastmilk is high in fat—one cup has 11 grams, per the USDA—which could mean that newborns are in a natural state of ketosis and are keto-adapted. “A mom on a keto diet would be likely be able to keep her baby well nourished,” says Wider.
That’s not to say that you should be on the keto diet while breastfeeding, but that it’s likely not harmful, says Wider.
And if you do choose to breastfeed on keto, it’s important to be extra mindful of getting a good mix of nutrients and enough calories to make sure your baby does, as well—and the best way to do that is to consult a nutritionist, says Wider.
The bottom line: Dieting of any kind isn’t generally recommended for breastfeeding moms, but if you want to do keto, it’s likely safe—as long as you’re getting the right amount of calories and nutrients.
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