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Striking a Balance
Healthy Eating Habits for the Nursing Mother
By Shel Franco
As for specific foods, McCarthy only has one other warning: "Alcohol can also be a problem, so it's wise to avoid that." She adds that on very special occasions, one drink is not a worry. "I'm more concerned with who's going to take care of the baby if Mom and Dad are drunk than I am about the effects of a couple drinks," she says. "Alcohol kills brain cells. Enough said."
Rather than overhauling your eating habits, start by making better choices. When you reach for a snack, reach for an apple. When you're rushing into your local fast food joint, pick the grilled chicken sandwich and fries instead of the humungous hamburger smothered with sauces and cheese. Then relax, knowing that you are eating better already.
"You can't live your life doing everything right," Tyler says. "Okay, maybe perfect people can, but last time I looked, I still craved chocolate, felt like drinking a wine cooler, or didn't want to eat my spinach once in a while. I worry about [eating better], but like most mistakes we make as parents ... they don't kill us or the kids."
In the end, the best advice you might receive about nutrition and breastfeeding is to relax, make better food choices, one step at a time, and above all, worry less so you can enjoy the time you spend breastfeeding your baby