Diet Shakes whilst breastfeeding?

**Manhattan** · August 6th, 2010, 11:31 AM

Hi All

Well, it seems I overindulged during my pregnancy with DD, and I put on about 30 kgs

Somehow I managed to drop 20 of that quite easily, but this last 10 just doesnt want to budge!

So, I've been thinking about supplementing my lunch with a shake. I have tried the Biggest Loser range before, and found it worked quite well, and they were quite yummy too

Does anyone know if it is safe to do so whilst breastfeeding? Do they contain some ingredient that I shouldnt be consuming?

Many thanks in advance x

Eta: Also open to alternative suggestions

**Traveller** · August 6th, 2010, 11:35 AM

I'm not sure, but my instinct says that too much of any one thing might not be a good idea whilst breastfeeding. So whilst a shake instead of lunch might be ok, I wouldn't swap more that one meal for a shake.

If you can't find out for certain, how about a home made veggie soup for lunch instead? That way you know it will be low calorie, salt, etc, whilst not having to worry about any hidden ingredients. I make a huge pot of soup and freeze it in portions, so I can always have one for lunch and the fibre/liquid mix is also great for the old digestive system.

**Frantelle** · August 6th, 2010, 11:42 AM

I think you will find that is a big no as the toxins in your body can be released through your breats milk.

But I would talk to the consultants but I pretty sure that they are not recomended for pregnant or breast feeding women

**deletedit** · August 6th, 2010, 11:50 AM

I think you will find that is a big no as the toxins in your body can be released through your breats milk.

Are you saying the shakes are full of toxins or losing weight causes toxins to be released?

Every time I've breastfed I've lost insane amounts of weight, the first time far too fast. I bought the non-diet versions of those shakes as a supplement. The ones in the 'gain weight' section of the health aisle. They didn't do much, so I quit BF.

**Frantelle** · August 6th, 2010, 11:55 AM

I think it is the toxins from your body the ones that cause the bad breath etc.

But like I said check with the CONSULTANTS

**LimeSlice** · August 6th, 2010, 12:13 PM

No, generally they don't allow you to use them if you are BF. (I asked last time lol)

You can do Lite n Easy though, just get the lunches. Remember though BF doesn't assist weight loss in many women (as the myth says) but can do the opposite.
Your best bet is simply upping your exercise.

**~Kim~** · August 6th, 2010, 12:19 PM

I think the only shake that says you can do while BFing is the Xndo range. I went on them to support DH last year. I was only having one shake a day as opposed to his two and having masses of extra calcium serves every day (like 4 extra I think). I did lose weight - about 5 kgs in 5 weeks but my milk dropped massively and DS became very very fussy. So from a personal view i don't reccomend it.

I have had lots of success recently with Calorie King and regular exercise.

**onthefly** · August 6th, 2010, 12:27 PM

I gained 20kg and like you found most of it went without any effort, but the last 5-6kg were very stubborn. But, aroudn the 12-month mark I stopped working and DS slept well for a bit and I was able to do a bit of exercise and hey presto! Are you getting much sleep/rest? That could well be a reason why those last kilos are not coming off.

**Manhattan** · August 6th, 2010, 03:26 PM

Ok, so seems like shakes are out of the question.

Traveller - Thanks for the suggestion . I guess I could make something healthy and then just pull a serve out of the freezer as I need it. Cant you tell I'm lazy though??

Do u have a good vegie soup recipe by any chance?

LimeSlice - I thought you were gonna say that

I have started exercising more lately, but deep down I do know I need to amp that up a bit.

Kim - Thanks for the heads up about supply. I really dont want to be having any issues after we battled so hard to feed in the first place. And I actually have a Calorie King book, might see if I can find it!

Marcellus - It seems you all want me to exercise!?!

I do get a fair bit of sleep (bless DD!) but I dont ever really relax itms? Its so hard to get to sleep cos I am always so tense.

Thanks all for your responses, really appreciated. So my plan of attack is execise every day, 3 healthy main meals, and try to limit snacks (I've a sweet tooth to boot!) to healthy stuff. Bye bye chocolate, lollies and cookies

I was looking for an easy way out I spose, but I will just really have to watch everything that goes into my mouth from now on.

x

**Visitor7** · August 6th, 2010, 03:30 PM

Herbalife shakes are ok while breastfeeding (well so their website says anyway).

**2CheekyMonkeys** · August 6th, 2010, 04:34 PM

you can as long as it is one meal replaced only and a balanced diet for the other meals, plus some kind of multivitamin. i did it while i was breastfeeding both my kids (they were a little older though and not having many feeds during the day). you cant do the tony ferguson plan as such because it is really strict with pretty much all meals replaced by shakes. in this case the body will react to the diet and produce the toxins which would transfer into your breast milk. the ingredients in the shakes are fine. i did betty baxter with my first child and they have a specific plan for breastfeeders. i even got a letter from my doctor saying it was fine, if only one meal replaced per day.

**maz** · August 6th, 2010, 04:45 PM

Herbalife shakes are ok while breastfeeding (well so their website says anyway).

I did them when I had Tank for 4 months and I BF him....I asked and was told they were safe aswell...and man it hasnt harmed him or me one bit...he's a healthy size 3-4, 16.5kg 2 year old

**Traveller** · August 6th, 2010, 04:49 PM

Veggie soup:

dice some pumpkin or sweet potato into small chunks, dribble on some olive oil and roast in the oven

in a large pot, saute some onion, garlic and chilli in olive oil. When soft add any, or all of, the following: carrots, leeks, cabbage, swede, tomatoes (tinned or fresh), capsicum. Add some salt reduced stock until the veggies are almost covered and simmer until they are soft.

By this time the pumpkin should be ready so scoop it out and add to the soup, then blend until smooth. Add lentils or light coconut milk if you wish.

Easy peasy, and a large batch will do me weeks.

**Manhattan** · August 6th, 2010, 09:01 PM

Thanks girls, I might have a look into the Herbalife Shakes if I cant get my butt into gear (literally

)And I would only replace 1 meal if I did, I like food too much to do any more!

Thanks for the recipe Traveller. I thought it would be more difficult than that, but it looks surprisingly easy so I will give it a go next week.

x