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Protein needs increase while breastfeeding, which is why a top-rated protein powder is beneficial to your breastfeeding nutrition, and I have the best protein powder for all you nursing mamas needing a good protein shake to boost your milk supply, nourish your body and help you lose weight! This specific protein powder is formulate to help breastfeeding mamas increase their milk supply, or help maintain their milk supply while losing weight.
I created Milk Dust as an answer to the sugar cravings, lactation struggles and weight loss barriers that so many nursing mamas face.
As a Pre/Post Natal Fitness Specialist, I help new mommies get back in shape and lose weight after baby. After hearing so many of the same difficulties from breastfeeding mamas, I set out to create a nutrient-dense product that satisfies postpartum and breastfeeding nutrient-needs, while also boosting lactation through carefully chosen galactagogues.
Why is a protein powder important while breastfeeding?
Protein is an essential macro nutrient that offers many benefits to breastfeeding mamas. Specifically, protein helps with:
- Cell repair after birth
- Hormonal function
- Breast health
- Muscle repair and maintenance
- Hair, skin and nail health
- Sleep quality
- Protein passes through breast milk to baby
- Can improve overall mood and energy
- Help reduce sugar cravings and hunger
Protein, carbohydrates and fat are all macro nutrients. These are the big three that our bodies need in order to function properly. Protein specifically helps with certain enzymes and hormonal function, which can play a role in lactation and breast function as well. Getting enough protein is not always easy, especially if a new mommy is craving sugar, like most breastfeeding mamas do.
How to know if you need a protein powder as a part of your breastfeeding diet:
Protein comes from foods like meat, chicken, eggs and dairy. Many mamas start trying to lose weight soon after baby, and by reducing calories, they may be accidentally reducing their protein counts. I know for me, I love a protein shake. I find them to be so satisfying and sweet. Much better than eggs, turkey or chicken, especially when I am breastfeeding! Because protein powder allows for blending together various nutrients like berries, frozen fruit and frozen veggies, it offers something that standard protein sources don’t:
Protein shakes provide an optimal, nutrient-dense meal or snack that is easier to absorb and digest because it is is already blended and in a powder form.
If you aren’t someone who enjoys eating protein at every meal, or prefers sweeter tastes, then a protein shake can be an amazing tool to help you get your daily protein requirements in.
If you are wanting to lose weight, the combination of fiber and protein in a lactation shake is amazing for satiation and reducing hunger.
Fiber bulks up in your stomach and intestines. This is what gives you the super full feeling after eating a lot of fruit or veggies. Protein also takes time and energy to digest, so you will feel full longer. By combating hunger with nutrients, rather than empty calories, you are supporting your body and baby, yet still allowing your body to use stored fat for needed energy.
Understanding protein needs during lactation is important, and now let’s look at why Milk Dust is the best protein for breastfeeding mamas:
Hand-Picked Nutrients for Mama and Baby:
I chose specific nutrients that are really important to both mama and baby during lactation. I go into the research behind these nutrients, and what they do more on the Milk Dust blog. Increasing studies are showing the importance of maternal nutrition while breastfeeding to help support baby and lactation. Here are the important nutrients I chose to include in Milk Dust:
- 15 grams of Protein: hormone balancing (lactation), muscle repair and maintenance, protein needs for baby
- Folate (L-Methylfolate): brain development in baby, energy, lactation and cell function
- Vitamin B12: (methylcobalamin): Increase lactation, brain development for baby, energy and mood
- Chromium (chelate): Blood sugar control, hunger control, and weight loss
- Zinc: lactation, baby’s immune system
- Vitamin C: lactation, immune system, cell repair, iron absorption
Nutrients are super important for breastfeeding mamas because they are the foundation of health. Cravings for sugar often come from a lack of nutrients, which Milk Dust attacks specific nutrient needs to help combat this issue.
Reduces Sugar Cravings While Breastfeeding:
Milk Dust reduces sugar cravings by offering important nutrients, as well as other ingredients that balance blood sugar. As mentioned above, chromium is a mineral included that has been proven to help with blood sugar control and used for patients with diabetes. In addition to this mineral, Milk Dust also has Cinnamon Bark and Turmeric.
- Cinnamon Bark: proven to help with cravings and balance blood sugar, antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress, increases insulin sensitivity
- Turmeric
- : blood sugar control, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
- Fiber: sensation of fullness that helps reduce hunger and cravings
- Protein: satiation to reduce hunger and sugar cravings
In addition to reducing sugar cravings and nourishing breastfeeding mamas, Milk Dust also boosts lactation.
The Real Reasons You’re Craving Sugar While Breastfeeding and What To Do About It
Increases Milk Supply With Galactagogue Herbs:
Many mamas stop attempting to lose weight for fear of losing their milk supply. Milk Dust offers a unique blend of herbs that are proven to help increase milk supply.
- Fenugreek: proven to help increase milk supply, and small doses reduce side effects.
- Fennel
- Milk Thistle
- Brewer’s Yeast
- Raspberry Leaf
Science has specifically proven the best results from a blend of specific herbs rather than just one for increasing milk supply. Fenugreek is the most popular, and also has some reported side effects, though those are usually in high-doses of only Fenugreek. With smaller doses of each herb, Milk Dust creates a potent blend with lower possibilities for side effects.
Energy Super Food Greens Blend:
This is one of the most unique properties of Milk Dust because the inclusions of chlorella and spirulina. These super foods are powerful sources of various nutrients. These are what give Milk Dust the greener color. Green is alwasy a good color when it comes to nutrients, and for numerous reasons we paired spinach with our two powerhouses. Chlorella and spirulina are potent in phytonutrients, protein, B vitamins, Iron, antioxidants, Omega-3s and fiber. It only takes small amounts of these foods to offer a great nutrient bang, which in turn gives nursing mamas the extra energy needed to thrive.
Unique, Plant-Based Protein Blend:
Milk Dust offers a plant-based protein blend that is unique to other blends because it includes Pea protein, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds and flax seeds. Seeds are specifically very important to nursing mothers because they offer fiber, omega-3s (which are important for baby), essential fatty-acids and other benefits. Pumpkin seeds are specifically high in Zinc, which as mentioned above is an important nutrient correlated to milk supply. By offering a variety of foods for the protein source, there is a wider variety of nutrients for both mama and baby.
Non GMO, No Artificial Flavors/Sweeteners:
This is an important one because not all protein powders are made with natural flavors and sweeteners. Because these chemicals and stimulants can pass through to baby, it is important to be sure you are drinking a protein powder that is clean. Milk Dust is only sweetened with organic cane juice, Stevia and Monk Fruit. This leaves very little impact on blood sugar, but a nice, sweet taste, so every smoothie is like a dessert!
Easy On Baby’s Tummy – No Dairy, Soy, Corn or Gluten:
So many mamas find that their baby does not tolerate dairy, soy, corn or gluten. This is usually because the proteins get into the breast milk, pass through to baby and cause stomach upset. If mama has an allergy to these, baby could too. We also don’t use any egg protein. Purely plant-based ingredients that are easier on baby’s tummy. Most plants actually aren’t the cause for gassy tummies. It is the protein that is causing the issues, because fiber can not pass through breast milk. Fiber stays in the digestive tract. Next time baby’s tummy is gassy, think about the protein you ate, rather than the veggies!
Created By A Mom for Moms:
Lastly, Milk Dust is created by me! I’m a mom of three boys, a certified nutrition coach with one of the top companies (Precision Nutrition) and fitness specialist. I’ve done my research on ingredients, tested the ingredients, and ultimately made the product I wish I had when I was breastfeeding. I am not a big company with no regard to motherhood, postpartum, breastfeeding, weight loss or diastasis recti. I know the true struggle of getting a chance to even eat at all with little ones running around and a baby glued to your hip. Life is nuts with babies and toddlers, so I believe that supplements should be your best friend. Something you can count on to help you during this busy time, when you need nutrition the most, yet it is one of the hardest things to put first.
2 Comments
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