Are there foods that are prohibited during breastfeeding?

During the breastfeeding phase, all food consumed by the mother can directly affect breast milk. Therefore, it is important to prevent certain substances from being passed on to the child through milk or even altering its flavor. So, yes, there are some foods prohibited during breastfeeding.

Ideally, the mother’s nutrition at this stage is monitored by a doctor, as he will be able to indicate the best diet for her and the baby. However, in general, there are some foods that should be avoided or at least consumed in moderation while breastfeeding.

For example, foods with a strong flavor, such as garlic, or foods with caffeine, chocolate and even some types of tea should be avoided during this phase. Furthermore, studies have already indicated that colic in babies may be related to the mother’s diet. In these cases, the consumption of milk and dairy products, peanuts and shrimp can produce substances that irritate the baby’s intestines.

Anyway, below we will better understand what these foods are prohibited during breastfeeding and why.

Take the opportunity to also check out: Tips and benefits of breastfeeding.

10 prohibited during breastfeeding

1. Alcohol

Alcoholic drinks are among the foods prohibited during breastfeeding for obvious reasons. Alcohol quickly reaches breast milk. Therefore, within an hour, the milk starts to have the same amount of alcohol as the mother’s body.

Thus, alcohol in milk can directly affect the baby’s nervous system, compromising their neurological and psychomotor development. In other words, it can lead to difficulty speaking and walking. In addition to being able to cause poisoning in the child’s liver.

2. Caffeine

Foods with caffeine should also be avoided. Such as coffee, cola, energy drinks, green, mate or black tea. Check out the teas prohibited during pregnancy here.

Ideally, it should be avoided, but if this is not possible, it should be consumed in small quantities while breastfeeding. This is because the baby does not yet have the ability to digest caffeine like adults. AND Excess of this substance in the baby’s body can result in difficulty sleeping and even irritation.

3. Chocolate

As tasty as it is, chocolate is also one of the prohibited foods during breastfeeding. This is because it is rich in theobromine, a substance that has a similar effect to caffeine on the body. The ideal, therefore, is to avoid eating large quantities or eating chocolate daily. Moderate consumption would not cause problems for the baby.

4. Foods with an intense taste

Garlic, asparagus, onion, pepper and other foods with a very intense flavor, as well as condiments should be avoided. This because they can change the taste and smell of breast milk. Consequently, it can cause problems with breastfeeding, as the baby may reject the milk.

5. Processed foods

It’s no secret that processed foods are high in calories and fat, and low in nutrients such as fiber and vitamins. Therefore, consumption can affect the quality of breast milk, compromising the success of breastfeeding.

Therefore, the ideal is to avoid consumption at this stage. I.e, giving preference to fresh and natural foods, which make up a healthy and balanced dietcapable of providing all the nutrients that mother and baby need.

So, on this list of foods prohibited during breastfeeding: sausages, snacks, stuffed biscuits, lasagna, soft drinks, hamburgers, etc.

Check out the foods that accelerate aging and should be avoided.

6. Raw foods

Do you know raw fish, traditional in Japanese cuisine, oysters and unpasteurized milk? Therefore, this type of food has a high potential for food poisoning, which can result in a gastrointestinal infection in the mother.

Therefore, despite not causing any problems directly for the baby, the Intoxication of the mother can cause dehydration, which will affect milk production. Therefore, the recommendation is to avoid this type of food, or only consume it in trusted places.

7. Certain types of tea

Teas can be both beneficial for milk production and harmful. This is because depending on the tea, the drink can affect milk production, and even cause side effects in the baby.

Some of the teas that should be avoided while breastfeeding are: lemon balm tea, oregano, parsley, mint, kava-kava, star anise, among others. In fact, we have a complete article on prohibited and permitted teas during pregnancy.

8. Foods with potential for allergies

It is common for some women to have allergies to certain foods and the baby can also develop allergies to foods eaten by the mother at this stage. Therefore, the mother has to be careful when consuming some foods such as: milk and derivatives, soy, wheat flour, eggs, peanuts and chestnuts, corn syrup, for example.

This is because these foods are more common to cause allergies and cause symptoms in the baby. So, the recommendation is to observe what was consumed by the mother 6 to 8 hours before breastfeeding and notice if there are any different symptoms. So, if you notice that a food may be causing the allergy, you should avoid consuming it.

9. Aspartame

For those who don’t know, aspartame is an artificial sweetener, which is quickly broken down in a woman’s body, resulting in phenylalanine. This is an amino acid that can pass into breast milk. Therefore, Its consumption should be avoided, especially in cases where the baby has a disease called phenylketonuria. This disease is easily detected after birth through the heel prick test.

10. Some vegetables and fruits

Despite vegetables are healthy and natural, this does not mean that they are always recommended. For example, while breastfeeding, you should avoid consuming broccoli and cauliflower. This is because they reach breast milk, and can result in colic in the baby, in addition to altering its taste.

Fruits too, but in this case only citrus fruits. These Fruits can directly affect the baby’s digestive function, and even cause heartburn, which is a very uncomfortable symptom.

What should I eat while breastfeeding?

Despite there being prohibited foods during breastfeeding, there are many other options that are good for both mother and baby.

Therefore, for the mother to have all the nutrients her body needs during this period, having a healthy and balanced diet is essential.. Therefore, it is important to have proteins, such as lean meat, chicken, fish, seeds and legumes. As well as carbohydrates such as bread, rice, potatoes and good fats such as olive oil.

Furthermore, drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, is essential for the mother’s hydration, which will have adequate milk production for the baby. So always have a bottle of water nearby, especially while you’re breastfeeding.

Anyway, as much as the desire to eat some of the prohibited foods is great, remember that this is temporary. Breastfeeding won’t last forever, and then you can go back to consuming all foods normally.

Anyway, what did you think of this article? Take the opportunity to also check out 9 prohibited foods for babies up to 1 year old.

Sources: Lusíadas Qualicorp Tua Saúde

Bibliography:

• DRUGS.COM. Aspartame use while Breastfeeding Information from Drugs.com. Available at: . Accessed on January 27, 2021
• JEONG, Goun; et al. Maternal food restrictions during breastfeeding. Korean J Pediatr. 60. 3; 70–76, 2017