When you breastfeed, you need more calories than the average woman. That makes looking for the best weight loss shake really hard. Luckily, our community of breastfeeding moms has tested out many to bring you the top replacement shakes for breastfeeding mothers.
Here are the top 5 meal replacement shakes for moms who breastfeed:
1. Milk Dust
This protein powder is specifically designed for breastfeeding mamas who want to lose weight but not their milk supply. Milk Dust is plant-based, vegan, and made of non-GMO ingredients free of soy, gluten, dairy, and corn. It’s specifically made for postpartum healing, lactation, and weight loss!
This was a favorite meal replacement shake among the breastfeeding moms in our group. Not only did most lose weight, but they also boosted their milk supply which was a number one concern.
2. Sprout Living Organic Epic Protein
Organic protein powder was a top desire for breastfeeding moms. They didn’t want to pass on any harmful toxins to their babies. Epic protein was a great choice for them. It’s a multi-source organic protein powder that’s made with whole superfoods. There are no gums, artificial flavoring, or fillers just a clean plant protein that actually tastes good.
It comes in a few flavors: original, vanilla lucuma, chocolate maca, green kingdom, complete coffee (great for those moms who miss their coffee), procollagen, and a real sport. The favorites were vanilla, chocolate, and coffee. No moms saw any impact to their breastmilk while trying this shake.
3. Naked Whey Protein
Naked Whey protein powder was another favorite meal replacement shake among breastfeeding moms. Made from only 3 organic ingredients and produced in the USA, this all-natural, gluten-free, certified kosher meal replacement shake mix was high on the list to try. It comes in several flavors including vanilla or chocolate. Vanilla seemed to be the one that was most liked.
They also offer a subscribe and save deal of 20% so if you are looking for a long-term meal replacement shake while breastfeeding, you can save money with their offer. You can cancel at any time.
4. Ultimate Paleo Protein
Made from grass-fed beef protein, this was a great choice for moms who weren’t concerned about their meal replacement shake being vegan or plant-based. The shake is, however, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, sugar-free, and wheat-free. There are also no artificial colors, sweeteners, and preservatives which made it a good candidate for breastfeeding mothers.
There are three flavors to choose from including chocolate (the favorite), vanilla, and unflavored. No moms noticed any changes in their milk production while replacing one meal a day with this shake.
5. Mom Fuel by Momsanity
Mom Fuel by Momsanity is made specifically for moms by moms. It has no artificial ingredients and is dairy-free and non-GMO. Each serving has 20 grams of protein! Not only that but it tastes really good.
It comes in four flavors: vanilla, dutch chocolate, caramel, and cocoa blend. Unlike other protein powder, it’s made with MCT oil which makes it creamy and easy to mix.
Momsanity offers a money back guarantee too. So, if you don’t like the product you can send it back for a full refund.
Are Meal Replacement Shakes Safe For Breastfeeding Mothers?
Is there such a thing as safe meal replacement shakes while nursing? It really depends. That’s why we have tried out these shakes for you to see if there were any adverse effects or loss of milk. On some meal replacement shakes the mother did drop in milk production which is why those shakes aren’t on the list. We only list the best meal replacement shakes for breastfeeding mamas.
While breastfeeding you must make sure that you are taking care of yourself and eating healthy meals. Some moms are just exhausted and can’t prepare three meals a day for themselves. That’s where these nutritious shakes come in. They are fast and easy to make and also help nursing moms lose weight.
You must always consult with your physician before starting any weight loss regimen. Make sure that what you are doing is not only healthy for you but also safe for your growing infant who depends on you for nourishment. Exercise is also recommended to help with getting back to your pre-baby weight. Don’t just rely on one thing to help you, make sure you are doing multiple things combined to get to where you want to go.
Benefits of Protein Shakes While Breastfeeding
There are several benefits of consuming meal replacement shakes while breastfeeding. The protein powder helps to achieve your fitness goals whether it’s losing fat or gaining muscle. These meal replacement shakes are also full of nutrients and healthy vitamins which promote a healthy body and mind. These benefits are passed on to your baby. If you are exercising, the shakes aid in muscle recovery and help increase your muscle mass. We all know that muscle burns more fat than fat so the more muscle you build, the quicker you will lose weight. If you aren’t exercising, these shakes help prevent losing muscle mass while you are losing fat.
Adding a postpartum belly band to your protein shake diet can also speed up results when it comes to getting back to your shape. Check out my best postpartum waist trainers to find the right fit for you.
Role of Protein in Lactation
Protein is essential for breast milk production and it passes from the woman’s body to the infant to support healthy growth. It’s suggested that breastfeeding women get an additional 25 grams of protein a day to help with milk production which is twice the amount of protein suggested for non-lactating women. To make sure you have a steady and healthy supply of milk, it’s essential for moms to consume protein-rich foods every day. That’s where
Protein shakes are a great way to get the required protein for healthy lactation while also promoting weight loss and muscle growth for breastfeeding moms. Replacing a meal with a protein shake will ensure that you don’t go below the required protein while also cutting your calories and not affecting your milk production.
How Many Meal Replacement Shakes Can You Drink While Nursing?
For breastfeeding moms, it’s recommended to only have one meal replacement shake a day. It’s a healthy option when you are on the go and can’t get healthy food and it’s tons better than fast food options for lactating moms. If you start to rely on protein shakes more often than once a day, it may cause your caloric intake to drop and not give your baby the nutrients they need to grow and thrive. Make sure you are consulting with your doctor before beginning a weight loss plan.
How to Make a Meal Replacement Shake for a Breastfeeding Mother
It’s best to stick to a protein powder that is organic and not made with chemicals or artificial sweeteners. We’ve made the best recommendations for breastfeeding mothers above.
When making your meal replacement shake, you can add a variety of foods, vegetables, and other plants if you want even more nutritional value. The shakes we recommend are already packed full of nutrients so you don’t need to add anything unless you want to!
Items You Need to Prepare Your Shake
- Your protein powder of choice (see above)
- Blender or Shaker Cup
- Ice Cubes for thickness (if desired)
- Milk (your choice, dairy, almond, etc) or Water
Blender Recommendations
Our favorite blender, if you don’t have one, is the Waring Commercial Xtreme Blender. It is a bit expensive but can be used for so many things other than mixing meal replacement shakes. If you need a personal blender, we recommend the NOW sports personal blender. It’s convenient and easy to travel with if you work outside the home. If you already have a blender but need a blender bottle, we recommend the Morph Blender Bottle. Cheap and easy to use!
Step 1: Pick your Protein Powder
The first thing you need to do is make sure you pick a protein powder that is best for you and your favorite flavor. Browse the options above to choose the best one for you. Once you do that, then you can decide if you want to add anything extra like fruit or leafy greens. We recommend trying the shake without anything added first because it may be just what you need without adding anything!
Step 2: Choose Your Mixer
Some women prefer to mix their shakes with just water while others like the taste better with milk, either cow, almond, coconut, soy, or other types of milk. Try your protein powder flavor with water and different types of milk. You should buy a couple of different flavors so you can have a variety and it’s not the same shake every time. Also adding in the fruit, veggies or greens helps with variety too. The 21-Day Smoothie Diet above would be great for someone who craves that variety and gets bored with their food easily.
Step 3: Blend the Ingredients
Whether you decide to use a blender or a shaker cup, mix everything together and blend thoroughly. If you want a thicker shake with things added like fruit or veggies you will have to use a blender. If you are just mixing the powder with milk or water, you can use the blender cup. I give my blender recommendations above.
Step 4: Enjoy!
Now it’s time to try your meal replacement shake that’s safe for breastfeeding moms! If you need any extra ingredients or more ice, just go back to step 1 and repeat!
Conclusion: Are There Safe Meal Replacement Shakes for Breastfeeding Mothers?
Meal replacement shakes for breastfeeding moms can be safe and effective at helping you lose weight as long as you do it the right way. Be sure to consult with your physician before trying any diet plan, whether they involve protein shakes or not. Then, follow the directions for how to mix the protein shake according to the label’s directions. Only add in things that are nutritious for you and your baby, no artificial sweeteners or artificial flavorings.
Make sure you choose a protein shake powder that’s been tested by breastfeeding moms with no complaints of a fussy baby or lower milk output. We’ve given our recommendations above based on several factors. No protein shakes that caused a dip in milk production or a gassy or fussy baby were included on the list.
If you are looking for other ways to lose weight while breastfeeding, check out the best intermittent fasting books for weight loss.
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