New Mom Nutrition Hacks for On-the-Go Wellness

Scrambling to check all the nutrition boxes as a new mom? We’ve been there and get it. Here’s some tips we believe can help!

If you’re a new mom or mom of a toddler, chances are you’re tired, worn out and you may not be getting the proper nutrition that you need. As a mom, especially a new mom, you may find it difficult to make time for yourself while caring for your newborn or your toddler. Maybe you’re skipping meals or making shortcuts simply because you don’t have time. Registered dietitian Susan Bowerman offers advice on ways to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need.

Take your meal with you

One of the best ways to get proper nutrition without taking up a lot of time is to start drinking meal replacement shakes like Herbalife Nutrition Formula 1 Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake Mix that’s designed to be mixed with milk or soy milk. These have numerous benefits: they’re nutrient dense, are prepared quickly and can be taken on the go. In addition, you can customize them for your personal nutritional needs and flavor preferences. They are often touted as a weight loss solution because they offer fewer calories than other meal choices, but in reality, they’re just the perfect way to get a meal in without time spent preparing or eating. So, if you’re finding yourself pressed for time or constantly out and about with your little one, meal replacement shakes are an ideal solution.

What to look for in a booster

Worried about getting all the nutrients you need conveniently wrapped up in a shake? You may have heard of nutritional boosters, which come in all forms and are typically designed for a specific group to provide a concentrated nutrient. These can be added to your meal replacement shakes to boost the nutritional value and customize them even more.

If you’re not really sure what to look for in a booster, make sure to select one designed for new moms, though you can also add other boosters based on other needs you may have. You might also want to pick a booster without added sugars. You don’t want to compromise one aspect of your diet while improving another.

Getting the boost you need

The ideal booster for you provides vitamins and minerals needed by new moms, who experience symptoms such as fatigue, hormonal changes and trouble thinking clearly or focusing. The New Mom for Wellness booster from Herbalife Nutrition includes folate to combat fatigue, vitamin B6 to regulate hormones, and Folate, Magnesium, Iodine, Niacin, Vitamins B6, B12, C, and E, Zinc, Pantothenic Acid and Thiamin, which contribute to healthy mental performance and focus. It’s also flavorless so it can easily be added to any Formula 1 Shake. And it comes in handy single-serving packs so it’s convenient to throw in your handbag*.

Personalizing your meal replacement shake

If you’re interested in other add-ins for your shake, you might consider adding berries for some extra antioxidants, or a leafy green vegetable like spinach, which includes iron. Including healthy fats is easy too, if that’s something you need more of in your diet. Great sources of healthy fats are nut butters (in moderation), avocado and seeds. And if you’re interested in fiber, go for a handful of rolled oats. All of these are options that can ‘boost’ the nutritional profile of your meal replacement shake.

The benefits of a meal replacement shake

Replacing one meal a day with a shake has other benefits aside from time-saving and increasing your nutrient intake. It can help with weight loss in several different ways. One main way is it aids in reducing your overall calorie intake and thereby helps you to lose that extra baby weight. Also, the thick liquid is incredibly satiating and can keep you fuller longer, helping you ward off those cravings later on. Just make sure you’re not packing your shake or over doing it with whole milk and nut butters or it might have the opposite effect.

So next time you’re feeling frazzled and like you don’t have time to get the nutrients you need, remember that getting a boost and a quick meal is as simple as drinking a meal replacement shake. All moms are supermoms, but a meal replacement shake will help you to feel like one too.

For more information from Susan, and for healthy, active lifestyle tips, visit discovergoodnutrition.com.

Written by Susan Bowerman, M.S., RD, CSSD, CSOWM, FAND – Director, Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training, Herbalife Nutrition for The Healthy Moms Magazine and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.