Your days of healthy eating are not over the minute you give birth. Giving birth causes a lot of damage that needs repairing in the body, and one of the best ways to boost your body's ability to repair the damage is following a healthy and nutritious diet. Additionally, if you are planning to breastfeed your baby, eating healthy becomes more important.

Make sure you eat varied foods that help you restore your supply of nutrients, improve your body’s healing ability, and boost your milk supply if you are breastfeeding. Here is a run-down of the most important nutrients you need after birth.

Protein

Protein is the building block of your body, and it is an important nutrient for your body to repair and restore itself. Good sources of protein include lean cuts of meat, skinless poultry, fish, and eggs.

Carbohydrates

Women after birth need all the energy they can get, but simple carbohydrates, such as in white sugar, give a short energy boost followed by a crash that leaves you more tired than before. Choose foods that contain complex carbohydrates to give you an energy boost that lasts longer. Legumes, sweet potatoes, oats, and brown rice are all good sources of complex carbohydrates.

Calcium

Make sure to consume low-fat dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt to restore your supplies of calcium, which is important for bone strength and health.

Iron

Iron is an important mineral that aids in the formation of new blood cells, so it is very important if you suffered from blood loss during delivery. Sources of iron include red meat and poultry. Iron can also be found in many plant sources, such as leafy greens, beans, peas, and lentils. Add food rich in vitamin C, such as lemons and bell peppers, because vitamin C boosts absorption of iron from plant sources.

Healthy Fats

Healthy fats are an important part of a healthy diet, and they are all the more important if you are breastfeeding. Healthy fats can be found in avocados, olive oil, fish, and lean meat.

Fiber

Many women suffer from constipation after they give birth, and eating foods rich in fiber can help you in this regard. Fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of fiber.

Vitamins

You can continue taking prenatal vitamins after you give birth to ensure you have enough of the most important nutrients. This is more important if you are breastfeeding. Supplements, however, should not be a substitute for healthy eating.