Sugar cravings during breastfeeding can be one of the biggest challenges to maintaining a healthy diet. Having a weapon of defense, like a green lactation smoothie that curbs sugar cravings, is a GREAT idea for new, breastfeeding mamas.
We recently teamed up with Kate Pickett--a pre and postnatal fitness specialist and soon-to-be Precision Nutrition Coach. With her nutrition expertise and passion for motherhood (which she shares through her blog, Joyful Messes) we thought she’d be the perfect fit to share a delicious green smoothie recipe with our community!
Read along as Kate discusses why we often experience sugar cravings as new moms, as well as a nutritious, easy-to-make smoothie recipe!
The Importance Of Nutrition While Breastfeeding
Eating a healthy diet isn’t just for weight loss while breastfeeding. It is also essential for maintaining a healthy milk supply, balancing hormones and helping your body heal postpartum. This is the crux of what I preach in my program, The Postpartum Cure.
Focusing on nutrient-dense foods is so important for both mama and baby. I recently wrote a post on 7 important nutrients for lactation, which is a great read as well. The Majka Nourishing Lactation Protein Powder is more than a protein powder. It is a nourishing, nutrient-dense supplement that helps mamas consume lots of nutrients at once.
This is where the secret weapon comes in: the green lactation smoothie to curb sugar cravings.
A green lactation smoothie is an awesome weapon to combat against sugar cravings while breastfeeding because it provides the nutrients your body needs, so it doesn’t need to signal cravings.
Why Do We Experience Sugar Cravings While Breastfeeding?
Your body needs more carbs to fuel the extra energy needs from nursing. Your body prefers carbohydrates to do this. It also needs more nutrients for you and baby. Today, we confuse cravings for sugar, when really our body is signaling that we need more nutrients. This is really important to understand.
Most of the time, if we are dieting, we are eating less, which means we are getting in less nutrients. By switching to a nutrient-dense diet, as I describe in my program, you can help combat these cravings.
Most of the time, preparing or eating lots of fruits and veggies is difficult as a new mommy. This is why a supplemental powder like Majka's Nourishing Lactation Protein Powder is so helpful. Blending together a protein-rich, nutrient-rich powder with fresh veggies is a yummy and simple way to ensure you are getting in enough nutrients to support postpartum healing, recovery and lactation.
Blending fruit and veggies in a smoothie offers fresh antioxidants, phytonutrients, fiber, vitamin C and more depending on what you put in, in addition to the digestive enzymes, probiotics and other amazing, organic nutrients you have one nutrient powerhouse of a snack or meal.
Let’s go over an awesome green lactation recipe you can make at home for superpowers against those sugar cravings!
Green Lactation Smoothie To Curb Sugar Cravings
I make all my smoothies with almond milk, but you can use your milk of choice. Coconut milk or cream blends really well with plant-based proteins like Majka, and it adds some awesome fats to your breastmilk.
Ingredients:
Directions:
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The protein, fiber and nutrients in this smoothie will keep you full and help satisfy those sugar cravings. This is a great snack or meal replacement drink, depending on what you have for your other meals and snacks.
I preach smoothies in the morning in my program because they jump start your body with lots of nutrients, as well as being quick and easy, so there’s not a lot of clean up and cooking you have to do. Kids love smoothies too, which is why they go over so well with the mamas in my program!
Remember, sugar cravings mean your body wants nutrients. Fruits are an awesome way to satisfy sugar cravings, and blending them in a sweet, satisfying green lactation smoothie is an even better secret weapon to combatting those sugar cravings every day!
Special thanks to Kate for sharing her insight with us! You can find her on her blog and on Instagram @joyfulmesses.
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Cara Halber is passionate about nourishing new moms as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. She focuses on keeping foods delicious, simple and fast so that you can do more of what you love with more energy, clarity & peace of mind. Visit her website, www.carahalber.com for more info.
