This is Why You Should Drink Pineapple Juice While Breastfeeding
If you’re wondering “can I drink pineapple juice while breastfeeding?” Good news—it’s safe! In this post, I’ll cover the benefits of pineapple juice, its potential effects on breast health, and a few things to consider while enjoying this tropical treat postpartum.
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I recently wrote about the safety and benefits of pineapple in pregnancy. But what about postpartum?
Many breastfeeding moms wonder if certain foods or drinks might affect their milk supply, their breast health, or their baby’s health. And one question that often comes up is “can you drink pineapple juice while breastfeeding?”
The short answer is yes, pineapple is safe while breastfeeding. In this blog post I’ll cover safety and other things to know about drinking pineapple juice while breastfeeding.
Why Do People Worry About Pineapple?
The main concern people have with pineapple is that it contains something called bromelain. Bromelain is a naturally occurring enzyme found almost exclusively in pineapple.
Bromelain is sometimes extracted and concentrated into tablets to be used as a treatment for inflammation.
If you were to consume high amounts of bromelain, it might cause issues. But the amount of bromelain in pineapple—and especially the amount in just the flesh—is so low that it’s quite unlikely to cause any problems.
Benefits of Pineapple
Pineapple has lots of nutritional benefits. Pineapple contains nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, magnesium, folate, and more. If you’re familiar with your prenatal and postpartum nutrient needs, that’s a pretty impressive list!
Pineapple and Mastitis
Paradoxically, the bromelain in pineapple is actually what makes it beneficial while breastfeeding, despite it’s rep for being dangerous.
Bromelain is known for it’s anti-inflammatory properties, which is why some women use pineapple juice as a preventative measure—or even a remedy—for mastitis. While there aren’t any scientific studies to confirm this, many women swear by it!
Personally, I drank pineapple juice every day for the first few weeks postpartum and I never got mastitis. Of course, I also prioritized a healthy diet and emotional well-being and had lots of support, all of which likely worked together to help boost my overall health.
Still, drinking pineapple juice gave me a sense of actively preventing mastitis, and that peace of mind was worth it!
Three Things to Consider
While fresh pineapple juice can be great for breast health, it is important to note that pineapple has a few potential downsides.
Heartburn
If you experience heartburn or other digestive discomforts, the acidity of pineapple may aggravate that.
That said, it may actually help relieve heartburn for others. Some heartburn is actually a result of too little stomach acid, so the pineapple juice helps to balance things out.
If you drink pineapple juice while breastfeeding, just pay attention to how it affects your stomach. If it causes upset, cut back or find another solution.
Blood Sugar
Pineapple juice, as compared to whole, fresh pineapple, will likely have less fiber. Fiber helps slow down your body’s blood sugar response, so pineapple juice without fiber will affect your blood sugar more.
If blood sugar levels are a concern for you, tip #1 in the next section is going to be for you.
Baby’s Digestion
Though not very common, some babies may react poorly to large amounts of pineapple and pineapple juice. If you are concerned about your baby’s sensitivity to the pineapple, start with a little bit every day then increase as your baby tolerates it.
Tips for Pineapple Juice While Breastfeeding
If you choose to use pineapple to help prevent mastitis, follow these tips for maximum effectiveness and overall health:
Drink Unpasteurized or Fresh
First, get pineapple juice that is unpasteurized. The pasteurizing (and canning) processes inactivate bromelain, so it will just be a yummy drink.
Better yet, go straight to the source. Buy a whole pineapple, cut the skin and crown off, and throw the fruit in the blender, core and all! (Remember, the core has the most bromelain so you don’t want to leave that out!)
Avoid Added Sugars
Second, if you’re buying pineapple juice from the store, take a quick look at the label to make sure there aren’t any added sugars. Pineapple juice is naturally sweet, so there’s no need for extra sugar. And keeping added sugars low can support your postpartum recovery while nourishing your body during this time.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Finally, while pineapple is great, it’s just one piece of the puzzle for optimal health. During postpartum recovery and breastfeeding, your nutrient needs are high. So pair that pineapple juice with nutrient-dense meals and plenty of hydration.
Your body works as a whole, and when you’re supporting your overall health, you’re more likely to support breast health too!
Conclusion: Drink Up!
Pineapple juice can be a yummy, nutritious addition to your postpartum and breastfeeding diet. When paired with emotional well-being, proper support, and healthy eating, it may help prevent mastitis and support breast health.
So if you’re a pineapple lover and a fan of holistic remedies, blend that pineapple and drink up!
Until next time,
Allison
READ MORE:
Don’t Stop Breastfeeding “Cold Turkey” (Do This Instead)
How to Prepare for Postpartum: The Ultimate Guide
