Ask *Raw Mom* introduces our newest member to the team, Debra Tau

Q: Dear Raw Mom

I’m so excited to have found your site. I have been on and off raw for the past year. I gave birth to my 3rd child 1 month ago, and just moved 2 months ago to a whole new city. With the economy I have found it difficult lately to eat raw, however I feel a depression coming on (after a gorge session of pancakes last night) and know eating raw and feeling good about myself is exactly what I need.

I am breastfeeding my son and was wondering what a daily raw breastfeeding day would look like. I don’t have a juicer and am on a budget. I’d also like to get the last 10 lbs off.

Any suggestions? Too much to ask???

Thanks so much

Kelley

A: Hi Kelly,
I decided to get some help on this one so asked another raw mom to speak to this and here is what she said, love, Shannon:

First off, there are so many versions of the raw food diet out there. And so, while I am happy to share what I have found to work for me, I still think it’s important that everyone learn to be in tune with their own body to find out what is optimal for them.  As raw moms who are breastfeeding our babies, I think we have probably all been there when it comes to hormonal fluctuations that are natural in the postpartum phase and breastfeeding years… You know, the ones that send you on an emotional roller coaster at meal times (and in between times too!).

A living foods diet can certainly help to balance the hormones, but if you are consuming the wrong kinds of raw foods at the wrong times, it can be counter productive.  I have found that keeping it simple works for my body, and also works for my wallet!

A daily raw food diet for a breastfeeding mom should always begin with drinking a glass of water every time you nurse your baby. (Preferably breastfeed every two to three hours during daylight…  As the more frequent you breastfeed, the higher the fat content of the milk, which is needed for optimal brain development).
Drinking plenty of water is crucial to you staying hydrated and keeping your milk supply up!  After you finish each feeding during the morning and afternoon, if you consume a meal of raw ripe fruit only, you will find yourself with far more energy, than if you chose heavier raw food recipes at this time of day.  This is because fruit is made up of mostly simple carbohydrates, which digest very quickly, giving you nearly instant energy, rather than spending your energy on the digestion of fattier raw foods.  Then in the late afternoon to early evening times, consume a raw green soup and/or salad consisting of lots of leafy greens, sprouts, vegetables, and avocado or nuts and seeds. This will meet your mineral and fat requirements, needed not only for your own body, but for producing a higher fat milk for your baby.  The fat content of avocados, nuts and seeds does take longer to digest, so your body has to put more of its energy into the process.  Harder working digestion means less energy for you as a mom.  So while the fats are essential, so is balance; don’t overdo the fats!  I find that reserving the fattier foods that tend to slow me down for later in the day works well for me since I’m winding down to go to sleep before too long anyways.

Here’s an example of my diet and nursing routine:

7:30AM - Drink 8-16 oz. of water while nursing.

8:00AM - Banana smoothie (Bananas & water blended… or just bananas for extra simple on-the-go!)

10:30AM - Drink 8-16 oz. of water while nursing.

11:00AM - Mono* fruit salad (Cut up 4-5 apples of different varieties and eat them together.)

(Or you could do 4-5 pears… or berries… or citrus… or tropical fruits like mangos and pineapples.)

(*Mono eating of one food at a time is easiest on digestion, but combining similar foods works well too.)

(Obviously, the fewer foods you add to the mix, the shorter the prep and easier it is on you!)

1:30PM - Drink 8-16 oz. of water while nursing.

2:00PM - Fruit salad / smoothie / juice (You can add leafy greens to this if you desire.)

4:30PM - Drink 8-16 oz. of water while nursing.

5:00PM - Green Soup (Blended salad of cucumber, celery, leafy green, green herb, & avocado or soaked nuts.)

Followed by a chopped salad of the same ingredients, which I like to rotate for variety.

I also like to add in a vegetable of color, such as red bell pepper, and rotate those as well.

You can also add various spices and dried herbs for variety of flavor if you like.

6:30PM - Nurse, but don’t drink yet, b/c still digesting…

(Note, this breastfeeding was after 2 hours instead of 3.)

8:30PM - Nurse and drink 8 oz. of herbal tea to help promote lactation.

(I also like to drink this tea once in the very early morning when I’m nursing before the sun comes up.)

I find that by eating every few hours when my baby eats, that it helps to regulate my hormones, as well as blood sugar levels.  It also keeps my energy levels stable, which I find to keep me more positive, and thus more likely to stick with the raw foods!  (Essentially, I only add in one extra meal a day, for a total of four meals.)  I also find it key to eat only during daylight hours, and save the slower digesting foods, like fats and any cooked food, for the end of the day, so they don’t slow me down during the key times that I need my energy.

By keeping the cooked food to a minimum (no more than twice a week) then I am not feeding myself unnecessary calories, and thus the last pounds of extra baby weight fall right off!

For those who like to juice, but just can’t seem to find the time to do it every day, I can relate!!!  Juicing is something I used to do 1-2 times a day before I had my baby… but with a busier life now, I find that for me it’s simpler to just dedicate one day a week for a Juice Feast!  So one day a week, I juice just fruits throughout the morning and afternoon; greens, sprouts, and veggies in the late afternoon; and end the feast with a blended salad / green soup.

I would like to share one final note on balancing hormones and overcoming baby-blues or postpartum depression, because I believe it may be a tremendous help to many raw moms!  I have personally found it to be extremely beneficial to balance my hormones (and my emotions) by taking an herbal extract of Vitex, also known as Chaste Berry.  A bonus on Vitex is that it also helps nursing moms with their milk supply!  I put a couple of drops under my tongue each morning, and find that’s all I need, as the herb is very potent. Consult an Herbalist or Naturopathic Physician to guide you in finding the right dose for you.  Most important, empower yourself by learning about the herb and deciding for yourself if it’s something you want to try!

EAT WELL & BE WELL!

-Debra Tau