Hello :-)

[Be-yourself]

Just a little message to say hi. I was an infrequent member of this board about 4 years ago. I now hope to become a frequent member because i need the help. I had a baby 18 weeks ago and have gained a lot of weight. I want to lose some weight and feel better about myself. I've avoided the scales and I'm not actually sure what I weigh. I will dust them off and get on them for a weigh in this week.

I am exclusively breastfeeding so can't really diet per se because I need the calories to make breastmilk.

I found our last week that my baby potentially has an allergy to something I've been eating and been getting into the breastmilk. Her paediatrician has told me to cut out the most likely culprits from my diet - cows milk, eggs and soya. I can't just buy lactose free items because it's the milk protein she might be allergic to, not the lactose. I'm therefore really struggling with meal planning. I've been having to check the ingredients of everything I buy.

So if anyone has milk, egg and soya free recipes id love to hear them.

Thanks and see you around!!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Welcome back, Be-yourself

Many congratulations on the birth of your baby, what wonderful news. I'm sorry about their potential allergy and your struggle to plan meals that fit the bill. I have no personal experience, but suggest you stick to fresh produce, meat, fish and vegetables as much as possible and learn the ingredients of store cupboard staples.

Here are some soy free vegan recipes, which will also not contain egg, or animal dairy simple-veganista.com/recipe... you can, of course, add fresh meat/fish to them if you wish.

You're quite right not to attempt dieting, but mindful eating should keep you headed in the right direction.

As a reminder, all of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

Wishing you all the best for 2024

[Sweetpea57]

Congrats on your baby!! Good luck with baby life, take time for yourself when you can....x

[Bee-bop Maintainer 2st 7lbs]

Hi there,

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter! What an exciting time for you.

I am milk free and there's lots of vegan recipes that would fit egg free too. Most vegan cheese is not soya these days and Cathedral choice do a good plant based one. For alternative milks there's, oat, rice, coconut, almond and most are supplimented with vitamins these days, just find one you enjoy.

I fed my children naturally too and put on alot of weight when pregnant my first. I lost it by walking with the pram a lot! I lost that weight in about 9 months as I was pregnant again then . I didn't diet either just gradually ate less and was more active as took to walking everywhere.

I became milk and wheat free myself after my third child and so my fourth child never had milk products at all and my other children were milk free from weaning due to reactions to it although we are ok with soya.

Porridge is a good food to have-if you like it, as it is slow release of energy so keeps you going for longer. If you enjoy cooking, flapjack is easy to make and great to have as a quick "go to" when needed. It can be made with a variety of different toppings/fillings and you can use vegan margerine instead of butter. Bananas can give a quick boost when needed. Grapes, berries, nuts-if you like them, are again good snack foods that are better than other quick foods like crisps as they have vitamins and minerals for you and baby.