31 - Labor Fuel: Must-Have Tips, Myths Busted, and What to Eat for Your Smoothest Delivery feat. Holistic Perinatal Nutritionist Estefania Llaneza

Holistic Perinatal Nutritionist, Estefania Llaneza Garcia, joins us today to chat fueling for labor. We cover:

• What the data actually says about eating during labor

• Fueling for the endurance event that is labor & delivery

• What labor-inducing foods are supported by the cold hard science and which are #fakenews

And more!

Resources

Follow Estefania on Instagram

Nourishment for Generations Website

FREE Nutrition Guide for Labor

FULL RECAP:

In this episode, Estefania discusses the importance of nutrition during labor and debunks common misconceptions. She highlights the lack of evidence supporting the restriction of eating during labor and emphasizes the need for fuel and energy during this physically demanding process. Estefania provides practical recommendations for nutrition during early labor and active labor, including the consumption of protein, carbs, and fiber. She also advises on managing limited appetite during labor and suggests easy-to-consume options such as fruit pouches, honey sticks, and energy bites. Estefania cautions against consuming caffeine during labor and explores the potential benefits of red raspberry leaf tea and dates in supporting labor. During the conversation, Estefania and Stacey discussed the benefits of dates and raspberry leaf tea for preparing the body for labor. Dates have been shown to potentially shorten labor, ripen the cervix, and reduce the need for induction. It is recommended to consume six dates a day for the last four weeks leading up to the due date. However, it's important to balance the high sugar content of dates with protein and fat. Raspberry leaf tea can also be incorporated into labor preparation by adding it to smoothies. It's important to stay hydrated during labor by drinking electrolyte water or making electrolyte ice chips. After labor, it is recommended to eat as soon as you have an appetite and focus on anti-inflammatory foods to support recovery.