Eating a good diet anytime gives your body energy and helps your immune system among other good things that it does for your body. When you find out that you are pregnant you will want to continue eating those healthy foods because now you have a growing baby inside of you to think about. If you have decided to breastfeed your baby you are doing your baby a great justice. Your pregnancy diet and diet for breastfeeding will not change very much. After you give birth keep in mind that you will still have to eat enough for two people. Most doctors recommend that you continue your prenatal vitamins so that you continue to benefit from them. Everything that you put into your mouth the baby will get through the breast milk.

Quantity and Quality of Food

A breastfeeding mother should get about 2500 calories each day though the foods she is eating. You need to consume about 500 calories in order to make about 27 ounces of breast milk. Most of your vitamin intake should be through food. Your body needs a variety of meats which is full of protein. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and minerals like iron, vitamin C. You also need calcium which comes from milk, yogurt, and other dairy products. At that point you can add whole grains like oats and wheat which can be found in bread and cereals. You can have sugar but in moderation only.

Foods to Avoid

During the course of breastfeeding your baby, you may have to omit a few select foods if your baby has a reaction to it after you eat it. Some of the common foods that affect baby are broccoli, citrus fruits and spicy type foods. They can change the taste of breast milk or give the baby a gassy stomach. As the baby gets older those foods may not have any affect on them. It is a trial and error and watching the baby for reactions. Try to avoid drinking caffeine drinks like coffee and soda. Abstain from drinking alcoholic drinks and talk to your doctor before taking a prescription or any over the counter medications.

Drink Water

Another part of a breastfeeding diet is water. It is important to drink at least 8 full glasses of water each day. Water helps your body produce breast milk, it flushes toxins out of your system, and it keeps the body hydrated.

Talk to a Nutritionist

If you are having doubts on the right foods to add to your diet for breastfeeding consult a nutritionist. They can guide you on the proper foods to eat that are healthy for you and your infant. The nutritionist can even give you menu ideas and show you how to make up a balanced diet that is good for your entire family. It may take more than one visit, but think of it as you are learning how to eat for the rest of your life. The more knowledge you gain the healthier the family will become and that speaks volumes.