Can I Fast While Breastfeeding? – Being Parents
Intermittent fasting is one of the most fashionable dietary protocols. Some weight loss benefits have been shown. It also helps improve metabolic health, reducing the risk of developing pathologies. However, the act of fasting while breastfeeding may be discouraged.
During the postpartum period, many women fear that they will not regain their pre-pregnancy figure. For this reason, they look for dietary protocols or strategies that allow them to reduce their daily calorie intake. However, this is an error, as we will see below.
The benefits of fasting
In recent years, a large number of scientific articles that discuss the benefits of the fasting protocol have been published. This mechanism is to avoid calorie intake for at least 16 hours, which has a positive effect on body composition. This is indicated by research published in Canadian Family Physician magazine .
In addition, it is possible to exercise effective glycemic control in diabetes situations through intermittent fasting. The protocol effectively improves the efficiency of the metabolism, causing a greater capacity for fat oxidation and an increase in insulin sensitivity.
However, it is not a mechanism that can be implemented around the world. Although in most situations it has very few associated risks. Its implementation in adolescent girls, during pregnancy and during breastfeeding is discussed.
Fasting while breastfeeding
Fasting while breastfeeding, as such, is not negative. Nevertheless, the problem arises because this feeding protocol tends to generate an energy deficit throughout the day. At this stage, the mother’s caloric needs are further increased. Suggesting an imbalance in favor of spending is therefore not the wisest way.
The truth is, there really is no scientific trial studying the specific effects of intermittent fasting on the metabolism of the nursing mother. It is true that it could be useful in treating conditions such as gestational diabetes, but there is a lack of evidence in this regard.
However, it is proven that it is important to ensure a certain calorie surplus at this time. Indeed, a nutrient deficit could increase the risk of developing postpartum depression, according to a study published in the Maternal and Child Health Journal .
Better to Improve Your Habits Than Fast While Breastfeeding
In the absence of studies proving the safety of fasting during breastfeeding for the health of the mother, it is better to opt for other types of strategies. It is possible to lose weight and improve body composition during this period without resorting to restrictive protocols.
It is best to focus attention on the quality of the diet, focusing on the consumption of fresh food and reducing the consumption of ultra-processed industrial products. It is important to ensure the presence of foods with high nutritional density, to ensure that breast milk is not deficient in vitamins.
On the other hand, the physical workload can be increased by exercise. While following the principle of progression in the charges. During the postpartum period, the woman’s body is still sensitive, so some effort has to be made to a certain extent. Otherwise, sports injuries could occur.
There are better alternatives than fasting while breastfeeding
Fasting is not proven to be bad during breastfeeding. Nor that it has any health benefits. It is likely that a varied diet with a slight calorie surplus as part of intermittent fasting will lead to positive changes in the health of the mother.
However, the fact of proposing a restrictive mechanism carries the risk of generating an energy deficiency. Which is not wise in this context. Therefore, and in the absence of scientific evidence proving the contrary, it is better to follow a more traditional dietary method, with 3 or 5 meals per day.
In this way, the slight surplus of energy necessary for breast milk to have a high nutritional density is ensured. Thus, the needs of the baby are met and catabolism that could become negative in the long term in the mother’s body is avoided.
