State of Illinois
Department of Human Services
Tips for a Healthy You:?After Delivery
Eat healthy and be active ? Take your folic acid
Keep breastfeeding your baby ? Get to a healthy weight
1. Eat the right foods
Mark an up ? or down ? in the * next to any food group you feel you need to eat more (?) or less (?).
If you feel you are eating enough from any of the food groups draw a ? next to that food group.
Grains - 6 ounces
Make half your grains whole
Bread, pita, tortilla
Pasta, noodles
Rice
Cereals
Choose foods with "whole grain or whole wheat" first in the ingredient list. This will add fiber, antioxidants and minerals.
Vegetables - 2 1/2 cups
Vary your veggies
Fresh
Frozen
Canned
Eat more dark-green, red and orange vegetables and cooked dry beans.
Fruits - 2 cups
Eat a variety of fruits
Fresh
Frozen
Canned
Go easy on fruit juices.
Milk - 3 cups
Get your calcium-rich foods
Milk
Cheese
Yogurt
Soymilk
Try low-fat or fat free.
Low-fat milk offers the same calcium as whole milk!
Meats & Beans - 5 1/2 ounces
Go lean with protein
Beef and pork
Poultry
Seafood (eat a variety)
Beans and peas
Nuts or peanut butter
Eggs
Soy products
These are good sources of iron and protein.
For leaner choices, try meats with "round" or "loin" in the name, 90% lean and remove skin or fat from meats.
Extras - Limit these Foods
Foods high in fats, sugars and sodium
Soda
Candy
Cookies/cakes
Butter
Mayonnaise
Fried foods
Limit extras to 1 or 2 a day or about 265 calories a day.
Use oil to replace solid fat.
* Choose drinks that won't weigh you down, like water or unsweetened ice tea. While you are breastfeeding, your need for fluids increases. You may notice that you are thirstier than before. Drink enough water and other fluids to quench your thirst.
Amounts listed are for an average 2000 calorie diet, you may need to eat more or less. When you are breastfeeding, you have a higher need for some vitamins and minerals. For more information and to develop a plan just for you, go to www.choosemyplate.gov
2. Live a healthy lifestyle (color in the bubbles you would like to learn more about or write in your own idea)
PLAN when you want to have another baby. Use a reliable form of birth control until you're ready.
SCHEDULE adoctor/dental visit every year.
HAVE?FUN! Learn to lower your stress.
The sooner you quit smoking or using drugs the healthier you will be!
DO something active every day. Try at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
Avoid exposure to chemicals and other harmful substances.
EAT the right foods.
Get to a healthy weight.
TAKE a vitamin supplement that has at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.
3. Move toward a healthier weight
Being at a healthy weight is important if you become pregnant again. If you are significantly overweight, you increase your risk of developing many health problems. To reach a healthy weight for you, follow the advice above and in addition:
1) Keep breastfeeding your baby. If you exclusively breastfeed for more than 3 months you lose more weight than if you don't.
2) Focus on how much you eat. Watch your portion sizes!
3) Don't skip meals and eat a healthy breakfast every day (include whole grains, fruit, and low fat dairy or lean meat).
4) Keep a notebook to track your progress. Write down what you eat and drink and when you are active.
5) Identify a support system, for example a friend or family member who will help you reach your goals.
My goals for staying healthy after I deliver: I will…
? Learn what and how much to eat from each food group:
Eat more _________________; Eat less __________________
- Plan my next baby
- Take a multivitamin every day
- Be active every day
- Continue to breastfeed my baby
- Keep a notebook to track my progress
- Other______________________________________________________________
Would you like to speak to a nutritionist or breastfeeding counselor today??????Yes___________ or No___________
Programs, activities and employment opportunities in the Illinois Department of Human Services are open and accessible to any individual or group without regard to age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic origin or religion. The department is an equal opportunity employer and practices affirmative action and reasonable accommodation programs.
DHS 4597 (R-11-17) Tips for a Healthy You: After Delivery Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois. 20,000 copies P.O.# 18-0561
