Sweets and fatty foods are the mostly craved items by mothers in general during breastfeeding which is related to changes in brain activity due to the baby's need for milk. Certain foods may cause a chemical reaction in the body that increases one's desire for them.
Sugar cravings postpartum, in particular are a result of more specific nutrient deficiencies, lack of sleep, and energy needs for breastfeeding. Glucose the the first choice of fuel for our bodies, so often times the sugar cravings are really just your body's signal for more nutrients and energy.
Mercy Pediatrician, Dr. Ashanti Woods, Discusses Effect of High Sugar Levels in Breast Milk. Mothers who consume large amounts of sugar could be passing the added sugar to their infants through breast milk, which could hamper the child's cognitive development.
Deficiencies in certain minerals such as zinc, chromium, iron, calcium, and magnesium may lead to sugar cravings as well, Elia says. Magnesium deficiency is specifically worth paying attention to.
It's not a good idea to diet when you are breastfeeding. Still, it's fine to have a diet drink or foods sweetened with sugar substitutes now and then. Just be sure they don't take the place of the nutrient-rich foods you need when breastfeeding.
Increase the protein in your diet
Protein can help energise you and stabilise your blood sugar so eating plenty in your daily diet can help curb those sugar cravings. Great sources of protein include nuts, seeds, pulses, beans (hummus), eggs, natural or Greek style yoghurt, cottage cheese, fish, tofu and lean meats.
The research suggests that mothers who consume sugary beverages after giving birth risk exposing their newborns to the sugars through their breastmilk. Consequently, it can lead to poorer cognitive development in infants nearly two years later.
Without enough insulin, your brain cannot make use of that sugar. Since the brain relies on a second-by-second delivery of sugar for fuel—and your brain doesn't know you have diabetes—it's going to cue cravings and hunger to encourage you to eat.
Rises in estrogen and progesterone levels tend to correlate with rises in cortisol (stress hormone) levels which lead to cravings for carbohydrates, including sugar. Your serotonin levels tend to decrease during this time, which also leads to sugar cravings.
To prevent adverse reactions in the baby while breastfeeding, it's recommended to avoid consuming citrus fruits, cherries, and prunes. Citrus fruits have been associated with digestive problems, fussy behavior, vomiting, and diaper rash in breastfed babies.
Although dark chocolate has higher levels of theobromine, most health professionals consider it to be the healthiest option because it contains lower levels of both sugar and fat. Most people can enjoy chocolate as they normally would while breastfeeding without any negative impact on their babies.
Increasing sugar and fat intake in a controlled short-term feeding study acutely affected breast milk composition. Increasing sugar intake significantly increased breast milk triglycerides and to a greater extent than increasing fat intake.
It also contains anandamide and two related compounds that stimulate cannabinoid receptors, tryptophan, and polyphenols. [1,2] All of these compounds are detectable in breastmilk in small amounts. Low intake of chocolate by a nursing mother is not problematic, but extreme amounts can affect the infant.
“Some of the most common sugar addiction symptoms may include headaches, lethargy or feeling tired, cravings, muscle pain, nausea, bloating and even insomnia. In most cases, these symptoms intensify after 24 hours.
The symptoms you experience won't exactly match those of another person. However, the most common diabetes symptoms experienced by many people with diabetes are increased thirst, increased urination, feeling tired and losing weight.
Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries are some of the best foods to consume when you are having sugar cravings. Because they are low-glycaemic fruits, they provide plenty of sweetness without spiking blood sugar.
Michael Goran, PhD
Added sugars should be no more than 5%-10% of daily calories, which is not much. That's why it's best to minimize consumption of sugary beverages.
Caffeine: Coffee, tea, and soft drinks with caffeine should be limited. Caffeine does pass through the milk and makes some babies restless and fussy. Alcohol: Alcohol is a drug.