Weight Loss After Pregnancy Recipes, Food, Tips, Diet

In fact, women who become overweight during pregnancy and are unable to shed off excess fat within a period of six months after the delivery, have an elevated risk of becoming obese a decade later.

Pear Spinach and Bean Sprouts Salad

When Should The Postpartum Weight Loss Program Be Started?

Once the baby has been delivered, the top priority for most of the mothers is to get back their pre-pregnancy shape and get into their old clothes. However, one should not start a weight loss program immediately after pregnancy. Since the baby is breastfeeding, you cannot compromise on your food intake by cutting down on your diet, nor can you immediately start off on rigorous exercise.

Mooli Paratha, Punjabi Radish Paratha by Tarla Dalal

The weight loss program must begin in a slow and phased manner – simple exercises initially, followed by rigorous work-outs much later, once the baby is weaned. Adequate nutrition is essential all along, and cannot be compromised at any time.

It’s preferable to start a weight loss program only after 6 weeks. Those who have had a caesarean section must wait until 8 weeks till they have recovered from the surgery to embark upon a weight loss program.

Panch Dhan Khichdi

The pattern of weight loss after pregnancy varies with each mother but the greatest amount of weight loss occurs in the first 3 months postpartum and then continues at a slow and steady rate until 6 months postpartum.

It’s common to put on or retain the pregnancy weight. Disheartenment and guilt at not being able to lose weight is common. But, where it took 9 months to gain weight, it is natural that another 9 months would be needed to lose it. Patience therefore is the key to keep going!

15 Tips For Weight Loss after Pregnancy

1. Walking : It is a fun and easiest way to be fit. Going outdoors in places like parks will rejuvenate you with fresh air. If it is not possible to go out for a walk you can walk for 5 mins every one hour at home.

Carrot, Tomato and Beetroot Juice

2. Exercise: is an another great way to lose weight. You can join Gym and perform cardio and weight bearing exercises to tone your muscles. It also strengthens bones and prevents osteoporosis.

3. Swimming: This is an amazing cardiovascular exercise which helps in building stamina.

Honey Lemon Water for Weight Loss

4. Yoga: Some may prefer to join classes. while some learn yoga and do it at home. It will not only help in maintaining good physical health but also mental health. 

5.  Workout Time: It is ideal to workout twice daily. Once in the morning and once in evening. Or you may atleast walk for 30 mins twice a day to lead a healthy life.

Coconut Paw Paw

6. Keep yourself hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughtout the day and in between short bouts of exercise.

7. Meals: Have small frequent meals. This will keep you satiated throughout the day. Make sure to include healthy snacks and foods. Avoid keeping unhealthy jar snacks at home like farsan, biscuits and choose healthier options like whole wheat khakhras and steamed snacks like dal pandoli and healthy muthias.

Oats Methi Muthia

8. Variety in your diet: Have a variety of foods in your diet. Make your plate colourful with different types of vegetables and fruits everyday.

9. Fibre: Increase your fibre intake by eating fibre rich foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grain products, oats etc.

10. Avoid Junk: Ignore all the fatty foods, fried foods. they provide unnecessary amount of calories and promote weight gain.

Low Fat Carrot Halwa, Healthy Gajar Halwa

11. Whole fruits: It is a misconception that juices help to reduce weight. Whole fruits are better than juices because they have fibre, makes you feel full in small quantity, there is no added sugar and chewing takes time so that you eat less. While making juices requires at least 2-3 fruits and also lacks fibre which simply increaes the calorie intake.

Mixed Fruit Salad in Ginger Dressing

12. Try different food styles: Try variation in methods of cooking food. Steaming, boiling, roasting, grilling, stir frying are better methods of cooking.

13. Cookware: Use non-stick cookware so that you have to use less amount of oil in cooking.

14. Eat slowly: Have patients and chew your food well. It gives your brain a chance to send 'feeling full' signal to your stomach and refrains you from over eating.

Moong Dal Palak Cheela, Indian Pudla Snack

15. Balanced Meal: Have a balanced meal. Include cereals,pulses, dairy products, vegetables and fruits in your daily diet. Use oil and sugar sparingly. Make sure to eat proteins in your main meals in the form of dals, eggs, beans and sprouts. 

Recipes for Weight Loss after Pregnancy, Snacks

Dal Pandoli

Palak Methi Muthia represents perfection in flavour, nutrition and visual appeal. The flavours of spinach and fenugreek balance each other very well in these steamed iron and folic acid rich dumplings. Khakhras have been one of the healthiest snacks since they are easy to store.

Make these Whole Wheat and Methi Khakhras which are iron rich but low in calcium and great snack option if you want to lose weight. Dal Pandoli is a low calorie healthier version of traditional Gujarati pandoli as it is made from chola dal and palak where chola dal adds nutrients like protein, calcium, iron and folic acid and palak adds vitamin A.

Recipes for Weight Loss after Pregnancy, Lunch Recipes

Usal

Ragi has a very balanced set of nutrients, and if prepared well it is very tasty too! Nachni and Onion Roti is an intelligent way of incorporating ragi in your diet in a way that appeals to all and adds on to the nutrition value of your diet. Pumpkin is a wonder vegetable – but sadly, its health benefits are not known to many.

Nachni and Onion Roti

Red pumpkin contains a horde of valuable nutrients like fiber, folic acid and vitamin A, while also being low in calories. Thus being great for weight loss you should consume it as a subzi like Pumpkin Dry Vegetable. 

Pumpkin Dry Vegetable

Panchmel Dal is a wholesome combo of five dals is flavoured with a special masala water and whole spices as well! Not only the flavours of the spices, but the flavours of the assorted dals are also discernable in this delightful dish. Have it with your favourite roti or paratha to enhance its protein value.

Enjoy our range of recipes recipes for weight loss after pregnancy and check out our other pregnancy recipe categories.

Pregnancy First Trimester recipes

Pregnancy Second Trimester Foods recipes

Pregnancy Third Trimester Foods recipes

Preconception Recipes recipes