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A new mom usually has a few things she wants to check off her to-do list. Nurture and care for her new baby, sleep as much as possible, and lose the baby weight as soon as humanly possible.
"Putting that last item on your to-do list, however, is one of the biggest mistakes that new moms make," says Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting.
Murkoff just put out an updated version of What to Expect When You're Expecting (a book that hasn't been updated in 11 years!) to add focus on nutrition--for both the baby and mom.
"Eating well has so many benefits for busy new moms," says Murkoff, who notes that getting the right nutrients gives mothers the stamina they need to function. "Energy depends on a steady flow of fuel."
Skipping meals or skimping on nutrients is counter-productive--plain and simple. It can easily exhaust new moms which, as many of us know, can be a potential hazard when caring for a tiny new-born.
Not to mention, trying to lose weight too quickly can actually backfire. "Good nutrition speeds recovery, and when part of an overall healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, it can help you lose the baby weight at a steady rate," says Murkoff.
That's not the only reason new moms should focus on nutrition, though. "Probably some of the most important research [conducted since the last edition of the book came out] has been around the impact of mom's eating well on a baby's development and future health, particularly during the first 1,000 days," says Murkoff. "Once solids are introduced—at six months—a baby begins to model eating habits that tend to stick, for better or worse."
Try making it as simple as possible; start by just eating right. "Having ready-to-grab healthy snacks on hand is key," she says. "And take shortcuts to healthy meals—make extra chicken breast to freeze, buy bags of ready-to-eat veggies and salad, cans of wild salmon."
Put simply, it's not a race! Caring for yourself and your baby is vital; just eat right and you'll lose weight in no time!
What do you think about all this? Let us know your thoughts and reactions in the comments!
Photo Copyright © 2012 john-spade/Flickr
