Do you love munching nuts to satiate your hunger pangs in a healthy way while nursing your little one? Are you worried that since nuts are potential allergens it may harm your breastfeeding infant? Well, if you can relate to any of the above situations reading this post is a good idea!
You need to consume a healthy diet while breastfeeding as your breast milk is the only source of sustenance for your fragile newborn.Eating nuts while breastfeeding might be a good idea after all.Nuts are a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants and a must-have for all age groups. Can I eat nuts while breastfeeding would be your big question? Read on to know more!
What Are Nuts?
Nut is a fruit which has a hard shell and a delicious seed inside. The seed is rich in essential nutrients, and you can consume it raw. There are many nuts available in the market like hazelnuts and chestnuts. Walnut and pistachios enjoy a huge popularity as nuts though they may not fit the exact botanical definition. [1]
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Nuts While Breastfeeding?
Nuts are a rich source of unsaturated fat, Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin E, fiber, Plant Sterols, L-arginine. All these nutrients are beneficial for heart health. Intake of nuts can lower the LDL or the bad cholesterol level in your blood. It can work wonders for your heart in the following ways:
- Prevents thickening of blood and thereby reduces the risk of heart attack.
- Helps to keep the lining of arteries free from plaque that causes chest pain and heart attacks.
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- L-arginine present in nuts helps to make the walls of the artery flexible and prevent clots and blockage.
- Fiber present in nuts helps in regulating the bowel movement, lowering your cholesterol and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. [2]
- Nuts are rich in antioxidants, which help eliminate free radicals from the body and protect it from oxidative stress.
- Nuts are rich in Vitamin E and, therefore, help in nourishing and moisturizing your skin and hair.[3]
Is Eat Nuts While Breastfeeding?
Can you eat nuts while breastfeeding? USDA recommends that a dietary plan for a breastfeeding mother should be balanced and wholesome. It advises lactating mothers to include vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, protein food and fluids in their diet. You can go ahead and include nuts as they are a rich source of proteins, dietary fiber, and vitamins.[4]
According to popular belief, if a pregnant woman or a nursing mother includes nuts and peanuts in her diet, it could lower the chances of food allergy in her baby.A research analyzed the diet plan of 8205 mothers, before, during pregnancy and after childbirth. It supported the hypothesis that early exposure to the allergen could significantly increase the tolerance and, therefore, could reduce the risk of food allergies in kids. However, it concluded that further research was necessary to validate the theory. [6]
However, if you or your spouse and family have a history of nut allergies, it’s best to avoid it.
How To Know If A Baby Is Allergic To Nuts?
A breastfed baby may develop a food allergy after the mother consumes certain food or drinks like cow’s milk, soy, eggs, seafood, wheat, nuts, eggs, and peanuts. The common symptoms of food allergy in babies are: [5]
- Hard stool.
- Stomach ache.
- Spitting or vomiting.
- Skin rashes.
- Blood or mucous in the stool.
- Breathing trouble.
- Swelling of the face in rare cases.
If you see any of the above signs, consult your pediatrician immediately.
It would be a good idea to note down your daily diet and watch out for food allergies in your baby. It will help you identify the food that proves to be an allergen for your infant and avoid its consumption while nursing him.
Did you munch nuts while breastfeeding? Did your baby suffer from any food allergy? Please share your experience and advice with us.
