FENUGREEK - Breastfeeding - Healthiest Foods During Pregnanc

00Angela00
00Angela00 Posts: 1,077 Member
edited September 21 in Food and Nutrition
100 Healthiest Foods To Eat During Pregnancy

Best Foods for Breast-Feeding

FENUGREEK
Fenugreek is one of the most popular herbs for promoting milk production. Many women swear by it, but there is little reliable clinical evidence to date on the use of fenugreek at medicinal dosages. There are no adverse events reported in nursing babies, so there are low risks associated with its use as a medicinal herb (in capsules). Nut as an ingredient in food, fenugreek is a delicious and very nutritious addition to your spice cupboard. Just one tablespoon of fenugreek contains about 20 percent of your daily needs of iron-an energizing mineral that you'll love to have on your side while trying to keep up with your little one's schedule. Let's dig in!

* In herbal medicine, fenugreek is considered a natural galactagogue. A galactagogue is a substance capable of promoting or stimulating lactation.

* Fenugreek tends to work quickly, usually within 24 to 72 hours. It's typically taken in capsule or tea form, though the tea can be rather bitter if brewed too long.

* If you haven't eaten food spiced with fenugreek before and are interested in this approach, it's best to try fenugreek before you conceive, since this can help eiliminate any concerns that you might be allergic to it.

* Fenugreek is not recommended if you have asthma, as it's been known to aggravate the condition, or diabetes, since it's also been shown to lower blood glucose levels.

* Since fenugreek stimulates the uterus, DON'T USE IT AT ALL WHILE YOU'RE ACTUALLY PREGNANT. Once you've had your baby, it's safe to start flavoring your food with fenugreek again.

WHAT ABOUT FLAX?
A commonly consumed omega-3 fatty acid called alpha linolenic acid (ALA) is found in plant foods such as canola oil, lax, and walnuts. But ALA is poorly converted to DHA in the human body. Studies have found that despite increasing consumption of ALA in the diet (to 11,000 mg a day from the average 1,300 mg a day) over a four-week period, breast-feeding women could not alter their breast-milk levels of DHA. Your best source of DHA is fish. Serve up some mackerel for dinner and get your breast milk DHA levels up.

JONNY'S TASTY TIPS
Fenugreek's subtle maple syrup fragrance and warm caramel flavor, which implies sweetness without really being sweet, goes wonderfully in so many foods that if you've never tried it, you're going to be pleasantly surprised. Fenugreek is a natural with chicken-add the whole seeds and a little organic butter next time you bake a chicken breast and you'll see what I mean. Ground fenugreek is delicious in curries and chutneys, Enjoy a sprinkling in applesauce. Sprinkle some on sweet potatoes, winder squash, or pumpkin for a perfect pairing. It's also a staple in Ethiopian and other African cuisines.

Fertility Foods:
ARUGULA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/100458-arugula-healthiest-foods-for-fertility
ASPARAGUS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/102142-asparagus-fertility-100-healthiest-foods-to-eat-during-pre
BITTER MELON: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/104449-bitter-melon-fertility-healthiest-foods-for-pregnancy

1st Timester:
ALMONDS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/100150-almonds-1st-trimester-healthiest-foods
ANCHOVIES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/100146-anchovies-1st-trimester-healthiest-foods-during-pregnancy
APPLESAUCE: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/100145-applesauce-1st-trimester-healthiest-foods
BANANAS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/100464-bananas-1st-trimester-healthiest-foods-during-pregnancy
BROTH: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/101059-broth-1st-trimester-healthiest-foods-to-eat-during-pregn
BROWN RICE: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/102536-brown-rice-1st-trimester-healthies-foods-to-eat-during-p

2nd trimester:
AVOCADO: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/100148-avocado-2nd-trimester-healthiest-foods
BASIL: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/100147-basil-2nd-trimester-healthiest-foods
CHIA SEEDS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/100153-chia-seeds-2nd-trimester-healthiest-foods
CHAMOMILE: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/100496-chamomile-2nd-trimester-healthiest-foods-during-pregnanc
CHERRIES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/101088-cherries-2nd-trimester-healthiest-foods-to-eat-during-pr
CHICKPEAS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/104836-chickpeas-2nd-trimester-healthiest-foods-for-pregnancy

3rd Trimester:
BLACK BEANS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/100156-black-beans-3rd-trimester-healthiest-foods
CELERY:http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/100507-celery-3rd-trimester-healthiest-foods-to-eat-during-preg
SALMON: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/101942-salmon-3rd-trimester-healthiest-foods-to-eat-during-preg
CRANBERRIES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/102533-craberries-3rd-trimester-healthiest-foods-to-eat-during
CRIMINI MUSHROOMS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/102730-crmini-mushrooms-3rd-trimester-healthiest-foods-to-eat-d
EGGS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/105503-eggs-3rd-trimester-healthiest-foods-during-pregnancy

Pregnancy Complaints:
ACEROLA CHERRIES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/103294-acerola-cherries-pregnancy-complaints-top-foods-to-eat-d
AGED CHEDDAR CHEESE: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/104792-aged-cheddar-cheese-pregnancy-complaints-healthiest-food?page=1#posts-1447599
ARTICHOKES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/107252-artichokes-help-pregnancy-complaints-healthiest-foods-du

Foods for Breast Feeding:
CABBAGE:http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/103295-cabbage-breast-feeding-healthiest-foods-to-eat-during-pr
DILL: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/107256-dill-breast-feeding-healthiest-foods-during-prengancy
FENUGREEK:

Replies

  • tn2010
    tn2010 Posts: 228 Member
    I had a lot of problems with milk production while breastfeeding both of my boys. I relied heavily on Fenugreek but ultimately had to start supplementing after 5 months. I struggled with low milk production and mastitis, but insisted on going as long as possible. I wish you all the best...and stick with it, it is so rewarding. :smile:
  • SuzanneRogers
    SuzanneRogers Posts: 250 Member
    I was blessed with the ability to nurse, but I could never nurse and exercise. I nursed my twins exclusively for 13 months. I wish you all the best.
  • 00Angela00
    00Angela00 Posts: 1,077 Member
    what was caused the difficulty of breast feeding and exercising? Did it lower your milk production? Just curious
  • houseofCs
    houseofCs Posts: 18
    My baby is 9weeks old and I have been breastfeeding her and started exercising when she was 6 weeks. I have had no problems with my mild production in fact I actually had a problem with producing too much. My daughter' s prediatrician told me oatmeal helps increase milk production as well. Perhaps this is why I produce enough milk because I eat oatmeal everyday...who knows?
  • Hi all!
    I am still nursing my 13 month old daughter and both Fenugreek and oatmeal helped tremendously when she was nursing more than eating other food. So around the 6-9 month old age I started with the Fenugreek supplements. I've stopped taking any kind of supplements now that she is older and eating alot of whole foods and I work out 4-6 times a week and I am still producing enough for her to nurse in the mornings and in the evenings. Pretty sure the nursing is now 'comfort' and 'snacking' versus whole meals now!
  • SuzanneRogers
    SuzanneRogers Posts: 250 Member
    what was caused the difficulty of breast feeding and exercising? Did it lower your milk production? Just curious

    Well, I had plenty of milk for the twins, they wouldn't take bottles ever, and when I worked out it changed the taste of the milk and they wouldn't eat for hours after I worked out. Showers didn't help, I drank plenty of water and ate between 2500-3000 calories a day to feed them both and myself and still my milk would decrease. I needed 1000 calories to feed the twins daily and they didn't start solids until 9 months, so exercising until I weened was next to impossible, b/c they would go on hungry strikes.
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