Minerals - A Vital Part Of A Breastfeeding Diet

When breastfeeding, your diet is very important.hemoglobin - a pigment that is found in our red
The quality of breast milk can be reduced if theblood cells. Hemoglobin carries oxygen around our
diet of a breastfeeding mother is poor or deficientbodies. Contrary to what people may tell you, you
in certain substances. Minerals are very importantcan obtain iron from other foods apart from red
to your baby; there are building blocks that willmeat. Foods that are rich in iron are:
help to ensure your baby's development now andLean beef, lamb and kidney
in the future.Dark chicken or turkey meat
Your breast milk contains all the nutrients yourSardines
baby needs to thrive. A baby that is exclusivelyEggs
breastfeed only gets the minerals it needs fromBaked potatoes
its mother. Therefore, it's extremely importantRed lentils, chick-peas, baked beans, kidney beans
that a breastfeeding mother is getting her dailyGreen vegetables like broccoli, peas, spring greens,
quota of minerals. But for many new mothers,spinach, and curly kale
the early days, weeks and months after the birthDried fruits like apricots, prunes and figs
can be a tiring time and eating a healthy diet thatCalcium is important for the development and
contains all the minerals it should may not seemhealthy maintenance of bones. Your baby is
possible. The good news is that eating a healthy,growing very fast and, at the same time, her
well-balanced diet isn't that hard; eating meat,bones are hardening. Calcium is needed for this to
dairy products 5 fruit and vegetables every day ishappen. Milk is one of the best sources of calcium,
all you need do.so if you like milk, now is the time to drink plenty
As well as other nutrients, like vitamins andof it. Milk is not only a good source of calcium but
protein, minerals play an important part in yourit's also a good source of protein, zinc, vitamin B2
baby's development. A nursing mother should beand vitamin B12. The good news is you don't
aware of what minerals are important and whathave to drink full-fat milk either; skimmed and
part of her diet provides these minerals.semi-skimmed milk contains the same nutrients
Zinc has a wide range of functions that ensurebut with much less fat.
the healthy development of a baby. It helps withWhen breastfeeding your calcium requirement is
the healing of wounds and is an importantthe equivalent of drinking 1 2/3 pints of milk. So, if
component of many enzyme reactions. Zinc isyou drink plenty of milk and other dairy products
essential for a healthy immune system andyou'll be getting all the calcium you need. Don't
resistance to infection. And, if you want yourdespair if the thought of consuming of that much
baby to have a good complexion and lovely skindairy produce is off-putting or if you're a vegan,
then you should make sure that you're gettingcalcium can be found in non-milk foods.
your daily intake of zinc.The following are equivalent to consuming a third
The body is very poor at absorbing zinc - onlyof a pint of milk:
about 20% of the zinc present in our diet is2 sardines from a tin of fish in oil
actually absorbed. Also, the body does not storeOne-sixth of a pack of tofu
zinc - it needs to be replaced with zinc found in1 glass (7oz) of calcium enriched soya milk
the food we eat.5 dried figs
The following foods are rich in zinc:6 medium slices of white bread
Sardines are an especially good source of zinc!48 whole almonds
Red meat4 tablespoons of cooked spinach
Tahini paste (chick peas)Eating a well-balanced and varied diet will give you
Whole meal breadall the minerals you need for breastfeeding your
Baked beansbaby. The minerals mentioned above are not the
Cheddar cheeseonly ones required for both you and your child but
Fruit yogurtthey are the most important. If you have doubts
Pumpkin seedyou should ask your doctor. Breastmilk is an
Peanut butteramazing food source; it maintains the right
Getting enough iron is important in the first yearamounts of nutrients required for your baby
of life. Babies who are breastfed suffer far lessduring its growth, even in women whose diet is
iron deficiency in later life. Iron is needed to makenot perfect.