There’s never a better time to start improving your eating habits than when you’re planning a pregnancy. If you’re already pregnant or breastfeeding – it’s not too late! Good nutrition is just as important for your baby as it is for you. When making the decision to grow your family, it’s important that both mum and dad have a healthy and nutritious diet.

You – and your baby – are what you eat! The choices you make and what you eat every day during pregnancy profoundly influence positive foetal and maternal outcomes.

This isn’t the Time for Weight Loss

This is not the time to diet or cleanse your body. Most pregnant and breastfeeding women need, on average, an additional 300 calories each day to support the growth of the baby and ensure healthy milk production (1).

But, not all calories are created equal…

To consume and absorb the amount of nutrients required for a healthy pregnancy, it’s important to eat as many nutrient-dense foods as possible, such as leafy green vegetables, fibre-rich foods, good fas, whole grains and lean protein. All the nourishment your developing baby needs comes from your body, either through the food you eat or the supplements you take. You and your growing family need nutrient-packed food, rather than empty calories like those found in fast or fried food, soft drinks and sweets.

It’s also important throughout the pregnancy that mums discuss and monitor their weight and nutritional needs with their midwife or doctor. Good nutrition is directly linked to a higher chance of a normal birth weight, an improvement in foetal brain development and a reduction in the risk of many birth defects (2). What are some of the the most important steps to a healthy pregnancy and postpartum experience?

  • Eating a balanced diet
  • Gaining a healthy amount of weight
  • Enjoying regular physical activity
  • Taking a pregnancy-specific vitamin and mineral supplement
  • Avoiding alcohol, tobacco, excessive caffeine and other harmful substances.

Good Nutrition Is Essential

When cravings hit or midnight munchies strike, it’s tough for busy mums to keep up their good nutritional habits – and it only gets harder once bub arrives! We get it; that’s why Isagenix has easy-to-use solutions designed to simplify at least some things. The safe, high-quality, nutritional products are infused with essential vitamins, botanicals and other natural ingredients that may benefit busy mums. Isagenix conforms to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) (3) – as well as the Therapeutic Goods Administrations (4) standards where appropriate – to give you peace of mind. With your doctor’s consideration and approval, you may use many Isagenix products while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Once bub is out in the world, new mums may benefit from using Isagenix products to help shed unwanted baby weight and regain energy. Don’t pressure yourself into snapping back to your pre-pregnancy body too quickly. It’s possible to regain your old muscle tone, or even develop tone you never had before, no matter how old you are, but it takes time (5). A complete Isagenix System, as part of a healthy diet including proteins, fruits and vegetables, will help once you’re ready to shed that extra baby weight and increase your energy.

Nutritional Support for Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women

Pregnant and breastfeeding women need to increase their calories, vitamins and minerals, protein and fibre. Pairing the nutrients in IsaLean™ Shakes, IsaLean™ Bars or Isagenix snack options with your regular meals is one way to help ensure you get the required calories and nutrients for you and your developing baby. Although these products are generally designed for controlling calories and for replacing meals, they should never be used as meal replacements or for weight loss during pregnancy. Instead, think of them as a convenient way to add to your nutrient intake without eating what you don’t need, like empty calories.

The following list of Isagenix products may be incorporated into pregnant and breastfeeding mums’ diets. Check with your doctor before using any products or modifying your diet and ensure your they’re monitoring your progress.

Dietary Supplements for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mums

It’s always recommended to consult with your doctor about dietary supplements use while pregnant and breastfeeding — this includes Isagenix products. While dietary supplements can provide fast and easy nutritional support, it’s best to make sure they’re appropriate for both mother and baby during this important stage.

The use of the following Isagenix dietary supplements should be discussed with your doctor while pregnant and breastfeeding:

What Is Not Recommended?

Because every pregnancy is unique, talking with your doctor about your dietary choices is the best way to determine what ‘s best for you. There are certain products and protocols that should be avoided while pregnant and breastfeeding.

Cleanse Days

Intermittent fasting and deep cleansing are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding because a regular intake of sufficient calories is needed for supporting infant development and milk production. Many herbs are also not well-studied in pregnant or breastfeeding women or are not considered safe during pregnancy, so do your research, and be mindful of what you’re ingesting during this time.

Complete Essentials Daily Packs and Essentials For Women

Isagenix Essentials for Women™ and the Complete Essentials™ with IsaGenesis™  provide targeted micronutrient support for healthy adults and were not designed to meet the very specific needs of pregnant women and their growing babies. Working with your doctor to find an appropriate prenatal supplement is recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

The following products are not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women:

While growing a human being inside your body is a very special and sacred time, if you’re crunched for time and hungry, it may be tempting to raid the pantry or grab some fast food. Having your favourite nutritious alternatives on hand, like fresh fruits and vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, an IsaLean Shake or other Isagenix products can make this time a little easier!

References

  1. National Institute of Health, Dept. of Healthy and Human Services Office on Women’s Health. Bethesda, MD. 2016. www.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Division of Birth Defects and Development Disabilities, NCBDDD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Atlanta, GA. 2015
  3. Food Standards Australia New Zealand. http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
  4. Therapeutic Goods Administration. https://www.tga.gov.au/
  5. Crawford L, and Senyak S. The New Mom Body Survey: 700 Women Tell It Like It Is. BabyCenter, LLC. San Francisco, CA. 2014

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic, on medication, have a medical condition or are beginning a weight loss program, consult your GP before using Isagenix products or making any other dietary changes. Discontinue use if adverse events occur.