If you're pregnant or a breastfeeding mother, then you know you aren't just eating for yourself. Everything you put inside your body can be passed on to your baby, so eating healthy is of utmost importance.
You may have searched the internet for foods that are safe for both you and your baby, and supplements aren't an exception to this. If you're wondering if whey protein is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, then you're in the right place!
Read on and find out the answer to this and other related questions you might have about consuming whey protein during pregnancy and breastfeeding period.
Benefits of Protein During Pregnancy
Consuming supplements to nurture yourself and your baby during pregnancy is perfectly normal. In fact, you can also take whey protein supplements since they have an essential role during pregnancy by helping you take care of your body while also helping your baby develop properly as they grow.
Here are the benefits of getting enough why protein during pregnancy:
1. Maintains Muscle Mass
Consuming protein is essential to help you maintain your muscle mass, especially during pregnancy. Take note that you may lose your muscle mass and gain fat during this period. This may lead to a slower metabolism, and it may take quite a long time before you can return to normal after giving birth.
2. Controls Cravings
Cravings during pregnancy are pretty challenging to manage, leading you to eat more than necessary. This may leave you snacking all the time and may even prompt you to eat unhealthy foods. A whey protein supplement is essential in this scenario.
Protein powder helps keep your stomach full and takes the cravings away. This means that you're able to avoid foods that are high in sugar, oil, and fats.
3. Aids In Tissue Growth And Repair
Your muscle tissues need constant repair, even during and after pregnancy. Consuming protein powder helps with the repair process and ensures that your muscle tissues can recover faster.
4. Aids In Baby's Development
Protein is the building block not only of your body but of your baby's as well. Consuming protein in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters is essential since your body needs to accommodate your baby's growth during these periods.
You can eat various fruits and vegetables and other protein sources like chicken, beans, and eggs. Still, we all know that pregnant women seem to be more "meticulous" with the food they put inside their bodies during pregnancy. This is where the importance of an all-natural whey protein powder comes in.
Not meeting your body's protein needs during pregnancy can result in fatigue, trouble sleeping, and weight gain. Protein deficiency may also increase your child's risk of contracting diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease later in life. It may also contribute to your child being underweight upon birth.
How Much Protein Do I Need During Pregnancy?
Protein requirements vary based on a woman's stage of pregnancy:
• Protein Intake During Pre-Conception
The protein intake during the pre-conception stage should be about 12% to 20% of your daily calorie needs. This means consuming at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, or at least 40 grams of protein if you weigh 50 kgs.
• Protein Intake During Pregnancy
Once pregnant, the minimum amount of protein you should consume daily should be at least 65 grams. This would account for at least 20% to 25% of your daily calorie intake.
Consuming a grass-fed protein whey supplement means you get at least 24 grams of protein in 1 serving, which already makes up for about half of your daily protein needs!
Breastfeeding Moms and Whey Protein
Can a breastfeeding mom drink whey protein?
The short answer is yes! Breastfeeding moms have extra-special nutritional needs, and they need extra protein sources in their diet to meet their body's demands when producing milk. Whey protein can also help since most breastfeeding moms feel hungry most of the time, and adding that extra protein to your diet can help make you feel fuller for extended periods.
Another fantastic benefit of protein is increasing your breast milk supply.
The body requires extra calories to produce a sufficient amount of milk, and various foods can help influence the amount of milk a breastfeeding mom produces. In this case, protein is one of the essential nutrients that can help in the production of breastmilk.
How Much Protein Do I Need During Breastfeeding?
A nursing mother actually requires an additional 25 grams of protein daily(1.7 to 1.9 g per kg of body weight) to help ensure that the milk production is steady. During lactation, the body uses protein to produce milk and sustain a baby's needs. Consuming a sufficient amount of protein daily is a big deal, especially for a nursing mother since she provides nutrition for herself and her baby too.
Consuming tons of meat-rich foods like chicken, beef, eggs, beans, grains, and yogurt may sound overwhelming for some, and opting for an alternative like an all-natural whey protein can help do the trick.
So, Is Whey Protein Safe For Pregnancy & Breastfeeding?
Whey is naturally found in dairy products such as cheese and milk, which are routinely consumed during pregnancy and lactation. That means your body will process whey protein powder just like any other protein.
The safety of protein powders is often questioned because of the added ingredients such as flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives, as well as the potential for contamination with banned substances or heavy metals.
Our Truly Grass Fed whey protein supplement is not harmful to you or your baby because the whey comes from cows on pasture and doesn't include any artificial ingredients. You get a "clean" dose of protein every serving to help you meet your daily protein needs.
We do recommend that you discuss any supplementation during pregnancy and lactation with your doctor as you may have specific requirements or need a special precautions.
Ready, Set, Shake!
Protein is excellent for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers for a lot of reasons, such as controlling cravings, aiding in the body's tissue repair process, supporting the baby's development in the womb, and increasing breastmilk supply.
Eating meat, beans, chicken, dairy, and other protein-rich foods is definitely ideal. However, is it something you can do daily? This is where an all-natural whey protein supplement comes in. It's safe for you and your baby given that the fat and carbs have been filtered out, which means you will only be left with nothing but pure, grass-fed protein.
