A healthy diet is very necessary for the new moms. Similar to the pregnancy period, a woman needs to have a nutritious diet after the birth of the child as well. This is because hormonal changes take place when the body first starts lactating. In such circumstances, a well balanced diet, which has a variety of nutrient-rich foods, is ideal. Nursing mothers should lower the consumption of processed foods as well as the ones that are acidic or gas producing in nature. Given below is a list of foods, which nursing mothers should eat and avoid during the breastfeeding days.

Diet For A Breastfeeding Mother

Foods to Eat

* Cod Liver Oil
* Butter
* Eggs, preferably from pastured chicken
* Additional egg yolks daily, added to smoothies, salad dressings, scrambled eggs, and the like
* Fresh seafood, particularly wild salmon, shellfish and fish eggs
* Fresh beef or lamb
* Oily fish or lard daily, for vitamin D
* 2 tablespoons coconut oil daily, used in cooking or smoothies, etc
* Lacto-fermented condiments and beverages
* Bone broths, used in soups, stews and sauces
* Soaked whole grains
* Fresh vegetables and fruits
* Lime soda
* Fresh fruit juice

Foods to Avoid

* Trans fatty acids (e.g., hydrogenated oils)
* Junk foods
* Commercial fried foods
* Sugar
* White flour
* Caffeine
* Alcohol
* Cigarettes
* Brewer's yeast
* Carbonated beverages
* Chocolate
* Gas-forming vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, etc
* Oranges and orange juice
* Strawberries