Postpartum Nutrition. Bon Appetit...cravings, aversions, and incorporating healthy habits.

Mommy’s Bliss 360 gives new moms the transparent low-down on postpartum nutrition - the good, the bad, and the Cheetos. We all want to heal and feel our best while not depriving ourselves of the things we love. Read on and raise a big ol’ mug of (real) coffee to learn more about postpartum nutrition and how to get back on track after baby.

We’ve been wisely choosing foods for our baby-on-the way, for a long time - or giving ourselves a hall pass to eat what our heart, and babies desired, and now it’s time to find some healthy balance.

Baby is here and it’s time to indulge in the things you’ve been missing a bit – from healthy to weird. What did you miss? What was your first meal? What odd aversions appeared out of nowhere? And what can we all do to incorporate some healthy nutrition in that blissfully challenging postpartum period.

Let’s hear what our hungry Mommy’s Blissers had to say.

What was your first meal (or snack) after giving birth?

• Oreos and chicken McNuggets with spicy mustard sauce.
• Cheetos and Dr. Pepper. Is that a meal?
• Frozen apple juice, pretzels, and salmon. I know it makes no sense.
• Anything with sugar or fat. Plus, lots of water which was handy as it helps with milk supply.
• A peppermint mocha – I headed straight to Starbucks in the hospital. Who knew hospitals had that?
• Italian, Italian, Italian. Spaghetti, ravioli, pizza. I couldn’t get enough…still can’t.
• I had gestational diabetes but after baby arrived, I had a heaping bowl of raisin bran with iced cranberry juice. Blood sugar spikers sounded really good.
• I ate chicken wings and piroshkis during pregnancy – afterwards, I couldn’t get enough Trader Joes ice cream and JoJo’s cookies.
• Cantaloupe. Period.
• Pickles. I know, I know, this was supposed to be a pregnancy thing, but I wanted jars of these guys – afterwards.

What did you miss most during pregnancy that you were excited to eat again?

• Sushi. Sushi. Sushi.
• Coffee. Real coffee. Extra caffeine.
• Barbecue!
• Italian Sub with all the deli meats that were off limits during pregnancy.
• Did we say coffee?

Any aversions after baby arrived?

• Coffee…tough to be me.
• All things dairy. Suddenly my body just said “no!”
• Sushi. So wrong. I craved it during my entire pregnancy and couldn’t eat it after baby arrived. Maybe I’d reached my universal limit?
• I couldn’t eat eggs. My usual go-to morning meal was suddenly a hard no.

What did you eat during those first few weeks? Healthy or not.

“Honestly, I wasn’t eating very healthy when my baby was born - whatever was within reach and didn’t require thinking, sounded delicious.” Jen

“Nourishing myself was pretty low on my list of priorities early on, but I did crave all things sugar and fat and, thankfully, water. I never had much of a sweet tooth and suddenly it was all I wanted. The water was key because it helped with my milk supply. Guess I was just extra thirsty after carrying baby for 9 months.” Sara

“I had prepped some quick and easy things beforehand and stocked up on Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken. My friends brought over a bunch of meals … it was all brilliant.” Steph

“Yogurt and granola. Literally 3 meals a day.” Sheena

“Smoothies. If you have the ingredients there’s nothing easier – or healthier, so load up…or have someone load up for you.” Yasmin

“If you’re nursing, you will notice an increase in hunger – totally normal. Pre-make sandwiches. Granola bars. Fruit. Protein shakes. Anything easy and packed with nutrients was my best friend.” Jenn

“Cuties. Those tiny oranges were so easy to eat on the go and they provide extra hydration, especially at night.” Caroline

“Soup. Simple to make ahead, healthy, and so soothing after baby.” Jess

“I counted on the health and wellness benefits of bone broth for its collagen and other amazing, good-for-mom ingredients. Add a handful of chopped veggies and heat it up. Delightful.” Steph

“I was the OG of Door Dash. Meal trains were key and new apps make it so easy. Also, it’s so nice to reciprocate when your world of new moms needs it.” Charlia

Some quick tips on how to (attempt) to eat healthy post baby.

• Remember, cravings are not in your head. The rise and fall of hormones trigger hankerings for certain things like carbs and sugar. Try to counter the craving by going out for walks, adding protein, staying hydrated and going to bed early, if possible. But go easy on yourself and remember, it’s ok to give in from time to time. Why else was Häagen-Dazs invented?
• Focus on protein like eggs, cottage cheese, turkey, protein drinks. Bring Tupperware with a hard-boiled egg, dried apricots, cheese slices and dark chocolate which is lower in sugar and fat. Anything to curb the temptation to drive through the drive-through.
• Fruits. Berries, apples, bananas, or watermelon. All super hydrating and a good source of vitamins. Wash and store in clear containers so your eyes see those appealing, delightful colors.
• Veggies. Carrots, celery (hydrating), cucumber, spinach! Again, have them prepped and ready to grab…add a delicious hummus or tzatziki dip!
• Fiber-rich carbs like whole grain breads, beans, broccoli, strawberries, and quinoa. Make a big quinoa salad during any rare window of time. Add veggies, cheese, chicken, and cheese…there’s the week!
• Good fats like avocado, nuts, and seeds.
• Salad…even salad in a bag works…and it’s – well – in the bag. Open and voila!
• Sleep…not technically nutrition, but sleep deprivation can lead to an increased appetite. Lack of sleep can alter the hormones that control appetite. It sounds obvious, and impossible, but focus on getting back on track with sleep and your appetite will follow suit.
• Hydrate. Hydration is essential, especially if you’re breastfeeding, but there’s no wrong reason to drink up. It literally helps with all things postpartum, from milk production to appetite suppression and weight loss, to sleep.

Remember, it's all about balance and gracefully getting back to your nutritious habits while navigating the new life you’ve just been handed. It’s not a race, but the healthier you eat, the more you hydrate and the fewer processed foods in the mix, the better you (and baby) will feel.

Enjoy the occasional ice-cream-straight-outta the carton moment or a few Cheetos along the way and trust us, you’ll get there at your own pace. We all will. (fingers crossed)