How You Live

After childbirth, women are anxious to return to their pre-pregnancy shape and weight. It is important to remember that weight isn’t gained overnight during pregnancy, and won’t disappear that quickly, either. It is observed that the weight gained during pregnancy might contribute to obesity later in life. Hence, losing this extra weight soon after pregnancy may help many women avoid obesity and its long-term health effects.

Weight gained during pregnancy is a reserve meant for the baby to feed. So unless a woman has sufficient fat reserves, dieting may hinder milk production and also cause the woman to feel fatigued. Earlier, doctors routinely recommended an additional 500 calories a day, as breastfeeding on an average burns 200-500 calories per day.

However, now experts are of the opinion that what a mother eats is more important than the caloric intake. Good nutrition makes a difference in the quality of breast milk and also affects how quickly a body rebounds from childbirth.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a diet rich in complex carbohydrates for nursing mothers on diet. This is one of the most successful long-term lactation weight loss programs for women. It helps them lose weight without sacrificing milk production. Whole grains such as whole-wheat bread, rye bread, and brown rice, Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, squash, and beans, Fruits such as apples, berries, plums, oranges, peaches, and melons are recommended in this diet.

It is recommended to wait until a baby is two months old before dieting. This gives enough time for a mother’s body to successfully establish a healthy milk supply. Experts are of the opinion that more frequent and continued breastfeeding for longer than six months helps in weight loss.

It is advisable to consume 1500 to 1800 calories per day while nursing and maintain a weight loss of up to 1.5 pounds per week or 6 pounds per month. A sudden drop in calories is not recommended as it can reduce milk supply. Liquid diets, low-carbohydrate diets, fad diets and weight loss medication are also not recommended while breastfeeding.

In conclusion, a program of moderate exercise and energy restriction is successful in inducing weight loss in overweight, lactating mothers. This should be done without harming the growth of the infants. It is also stressed that a woman who is breastfeeding should first consult her physician and nutritionist before undertaking any weight loss program.

The term “macrobiotics” is found in the writings of Hippocrates. Macro is the Greek word for “great” and bios is the word for “life.” Macrobiotics, thus means long life and is used to signify living in harmony with nature, eating a simple, balanced diet, and living to an active old age. George Ohsawa, a Japanese educator, developed the theory of macrobiotics. It comprised of ten progressive steps, each more restrictive in calories than the previous.

The macrobiotic diet and philosophy believes that simplicity is the key to optimal health. It is a low-fat, high fiber diet that is a predominantly vegetarian diet. It stresses on foods that tend to be lacking in the North American diet. It emphasizes the consumption of whole grains, vegetables and soy products, rich in phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are plant hormones, which are found to prevent certain types of cancer in women.

The food recommended by this diet includes whole grains, 50- 60%, fresh vegetables, 25–30%, beans and sea vegetables, 5–10% and soups and broths comprising, 5–10% of food intake. Food preparation and the manner in which food is eaten, is also dealt with in the diet principles. The diet discourages the use of a microwave oven in the preparation of food. Rice should preferably not be cooked in a pressure cooker. It also lays importance on personal hygiene as well as cleanliness of the cooking area.

There are some disadvantages of this diet. The macrobiotic diet is considered to lack certain nutrients, such as protein, vitamin B12, iron, magnesium, and calcium. This could lead to lack of energy.

Critics disapprove of the restrictive macrobiotic diets, which can be deficient in calories, as well as certain vital nutrients. As a result this type of diet is not suitable for children, or for pregnant or lactating women. It is advisable to consult a medical practitioner, before switching to any strict diet regimen.

Pregnancy is a period of great psychosomatic anxiety for a woman. This is the time she nurtures a growing fetus in her body. There is a need for additional nutrients during this period as the mother’s body undergoes lot of changes. These are physiological, biochemical and hormonal changes. It is very important to have a diet, which is nutritionally complete in all respects.

The US Food and Drug Association advises pregnant women to eat about 300 extra calories per day in addition to their normal calorific needs. These calories should come from a balanced eating plan of protein, good fats, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.

To meet the increased requirements during the1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy, the mother needs to consume extra food. It is advisable to eat some snacks in between the main meals rather than three large meals, thus increasing the frequency of feeding. Increased carbohydrate and protein needs can be met by including whole grains, other cereals, milk, meat eggs and fish. Constipation is a problem during pregnancy and can be prevented by increasing the intake of foods rich in dietary fiber, like fresh fruits and vegetables. Prenatal supplements of folate, multivitamins and iron also need to be taken.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, ACOG recommends the following daily food servings for pregnant women. Pregnant ladies who are of normal weight are supposed to have 9 servings of bread and whole grains and 4 servings of vegetables. 3 servings of fruit, milk and milk products and meat and protein foods are recommended. They should have lot of fluids that includes drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water each day, in addition to the fluids in juices and soups. It is suggested that alcohol should be avoided while intake of caffeine should be restricted.

To ensure optimum health for mother and baby a nutritious diet rich in iron, folic acid and calcium is needed. For safety, it is advisable to ask a medical professional about personal nutritional requirements.

The liver is a vital organ of the body. It is the largest and most versatile organ in the body. It is responsible for assisting in digestion, cleaning impurities from the blood and neutralizing toxins. It is important to keep the liver clean to protect against diseases of the blood and digestive system, as well as toxicity-related conditions.

The Fat or Liver Flush Diet is a unique diet program, which targets at cleansing the liver. The program is based on a combination of essential fats, balanced proteins, and quality carbohydrates. The diet plan provides an excellent way to begin dieting, as well as to continue weight loss. It successfully breaks through the obstinate weight loss plateau that every dieter faces. It is supposed to flush out stubborn fat, while retaining crucial nutrients. This diet plan ensures weight loss by increasing metabolism. In the process it provides more energy, a restful nights sleep and also stabilizes the mood.

It also helps in improving skin texture and decreases depression and anxiety.

The liver flush plan recommends a whole food diet, which includes fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. This type of food tends to contain a greater amount of oxygen, enzymes, and other nutrients without toxic residues. It stresses on the importance of drinking water in large amount in order to flush out the system. Drinking at least half the body weight in ounces per day is recommended.

Enzymes are vital in digestion. Sometimes the body is deficient in some enzyme that results in a lower metabolic rate. In such cases Zymitol, a potent plant-based enzyme, is recommended as a supplement to the much-needed enzymes.

Regular exercise with aerobic exercise and strength training must be incorporated in a dieters’ routine. Stretching exercises such as yoga is also very beneficial. It is also vital to continuously breathe pure air.

This detoxifying process boosts the liver’s ability to function at its highest level. It accelerates weight loss while improving health. It is considered to be a simple, safe, and highly effective plan.