In our series,
Hydration Fixation, we’ve addressed the issues we’ve been asked by all you
pumping mamas about staying hydrated.
In Part 1, we suggested how much water you should
be drinking in order to maintain a healthy daily hydration. In Part 2, we shared some helpful tips on how to
ensure you’re actually consuming 64 ounces of water daily. Our most recent post
in this series, Part 3, offered a variety
of hydrating food and drink options to supplement your water intake. Now, in
our final post of the series, we thought it prudent to remind you which food
and drinks are dehydrating and should therefore be avoided, especially while
you’re nursing and pumping.
Keep the following in mind as you continue to stay hydrated:
Diuretics cause you to urinate more frequently. When you urinate
more than necessary, crucial water is drained from your body.
Basically, all caffeinated beverages are diuretics. Avoid. In
many cases even decaffeinated versions of these beverages contain small amounts
of caffeine. Check the nutritional information or consult the manufacturer
before you choose to consume a specific decaffeinated beverage.
Soda, alcohol, and tea are also diuretics and should be avoided.
Sugar inhibits the
absorption of water within the body. Avoid eating or drinking anything that is
high in sugar.
Sorbitol is sugar substitute, which also inhibits
water absorption and in some cases and amounts acts as a laxative. Both
instances are dehydrating. If a food or beverage contains sorbitol it will be
listed under the inactive ingredients. Sorbitol is found naturally in apples,
plums, pears, cherries, dates, peaches, and apricots. Eating these fruits in
concentrated versions—like juice or dried products—may lead to dehydration.
Salty foods may also lead to dehydration, as they
require more fluids to eliminate all the extra sodium naturally present in
salt. Foods like soy sauce, popcorn, sausages, fried foods (pretty much all
fast food), preserved condiments, and salad dressing usually have a high
content of salt.
In review, avoid the following beverages and foods:
- Anything caffeinated
- Soda
- Alcohol
- Tea
- Sugar
- Dried apples, plums, pears, cherries, dates, peaches, and apricots or the juice from any of these fruits.
- Soy sauce
- Popcorn
- Sausages
- Fried foods
- Fast food
- Canned or frozen foods with high sodium contents
- Condiments
- Salad dressings
What did we miss?
Help us add to this list from your knowledge and/or experience.
*This blog is informed by our resident moms-in-the-know and not by medical professionals. This blog is intended to share the wisdom of experienced moms but never to replace the advice and insight of your doctors. Always consult proper and licensed medical professionals when making any decisions about your health and the health of your children.
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