Breast milk, also known as the "liquid gold," is a superfood that provides all the necessary nutrients for your little one's growth and development. As a nursing mother, you are probably worried about what goes into your body and how it affects the quality and quantity of breast milk you produce. While most mothers focus on avoiding alcohol, caffeine or certain foods, there is another culprit that flies under the radar - sugar!
Yes sis! That sweet tooth may be harming more than just your waistline. It turns out that an excessive intake of sugar can harm both you and your baby's health by impacting the nutritional value of breastmilk.
What Is Sugar?
Before we dive into how sugar affects breastmilk production let us break down what exactly “Sugar” entails. Well first off sister friend sugar pertains to crystallized carbohydrates generally; made up of glucose, sucrose or fructose which often gives food its saccharine taste (mind blowing right?). You know those moments when you take a spoonful (maybe three) straight from a pack unashamedly? Yeah shameful but tasty isn’t it?
The Sugar And Breast Milk Connection
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams/day limit for women. Which includes natural sugars in fruit and added sugars like soda drinks according to their nutrition research findings.
But why do we care about this number? Many studies point out how maternal diet influences mammalian lactation process including such factors as mammary gland involution rate e.t.c
Mothers with high blood glucose levels tend to have higher levels of , their plasma insulin thereby increasing secretion substantially above average where hind-milk was expressed at between 3-5 weeks post birth thus carrying less protein AND fat in said milk samples issued on acid hydrolysis testing located here[https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11027-018-9794-x].
Whew chile! If that sentence just confused you, the basic meaning is simple – sugar spikes in mothers can cause milk expressing an excess in lactose instead of proteins and fats which are essential for your baby’s growth and fullerness resulting from lactation.
Can Sugar Affect Breast Milk Supply?
I know it sounds unbelievable...like how can something so sweet affect our milk supply? But trust me sis; excessive intake of refined sugars decreases the efficiency of milk production activity according to this National Center for Biotechnology Information archive article.
Some health experts speculate maternal diets high in carbs or sugary snacks may be a reason more mamas struggle with low supply. Think about when we indulge heavily on such junk food options (with added sugar content overload) or processed meals without keeping tabs over time. This increases the likelihood of altering hormonal levels or even worse could create conditions that result in chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes..
Now picture what happens to breast milk-making mammary glands as well since glucose and insulin bring up metabolic regulation spiraling down into said blood flow processes!
How To Reduce Sugar Intake
Before you go cold turkey on all things sweet consider this - life is too short not to have dessert! No one wants stiff restrictions drawn across their favorite treats but there are ways around it without compromising healthy, nutritious diet choices!
Here are some helpful tips for reducing your daily sugar consumption;
1.Track Your Sugar Intake!
Use smartphone apps or online tools available these days ( eg MyFitness Pal) to keep track/save information bars, jelly beans being consumed although easy fixes aren't always the best idea!)
2.Read Labels Carefully
Pay attention to grocery shopping habits; choose organic/buy fresh or frozen produce over prepackaged foods, scan nutrition facts thoroughly ( every time!) to better monitor hidden sugar and artificial sweetener content.
3. Try Alternatives
Switch out regular sugars for natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup instead of processed refiner used in products you eat on a daily basis!
4. Indulge Moderately
If you reach your limit maybe a piece cake from your local bakery could work wonders…take that as a precursor to baby’s growth milestone celebrated with dessert indulgences hehe.
Final Thoughts
Mamas need love too! Sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is take control of our food intake...and also taste-satisfying options without scrimping OR skimping nutrients required into us from bearing tiny creations growing inside.
While it's understandable not everyone loves substituting their favourite snacks with avocados, sometimes nourishment lies where we least expect; taking care of ourselves through healthier diets means adapting so change given babies nursed off small bits taken in throughout the day two hours at a go when they're hungry anyway 🙂