Welcome expecting mommies! And congratulations on the new birth of your baby nursing mommies! You're here because you want to do the best for your baby, but you also want to continue to feel the way Shakeology makes you feel! Not sure you want to give it up, correct?! I've been there. So your question is, Can I drink Shakeology if I’m pregnant or nursing?
As with everything these days, opinions differ, and you should always check with your OB doctor for any supplements, nutrition changes, diet changes, etc. For your convenience, I have a letter HERE for you to print out and show your doctor. It includes the ingredients in Shakeology! When you look at the Shakeology container, you will notice their disclaimer: “Consult with a healthcare professional if pregnant, breast feeding, or if you have any other unique or special needs.”
Please remember to tell your doctor that you are not drinking Shakeology to lose weight (the cover letter suggests that). Just let your doctor know that you love the nutrition and the way you feel, and you would like to continue to received this superfood nutrition while pregnant/nursing.
Mommies, You've probably heard a bunch of opinions from other moms...
Some say that they’ve drank Shakeology all the way through pregnancy. Loved it!
Some are drinking it instead of taking their prenatal vitamins.
Some drink it along with folic acid supplements.
Some drink the vegan Shakeology.
Some drink it on the recommendation of their doctor.
There are many different health and wellness experts.
A friend’s doctor said that every pregnant and nursing woman should drink Shakeology because of the dense nutrition it contains. Another friend's doctor told her to drink the Vegan formula because it is not fortified with vitamins. Some ask that mommies drink it, but not along with prenatal vitamins as the Vitamin A content in both supplements is too high. Some doctors don't recommend it because they do not know enough about it. Some doctors say that you should be able to take it, provided that you get sufficient calories every day. They don't want you dieting while pregnant, after all!
Why the Differing Opinions?
Meal replacement shakes are generally not advised for nursing or pregnant women, for the reason of NO DIETING while pregnant or nursing, you need those extra calories! Also, meal replacement shakes usually contain harmful fillers and artificial ingredients. However, Shakeology is a different kind of meal replacement shake. There is nothing harmful or artificial in Shakeology, and it is more of a nutrition supplement shake versus a weight loss shake. We want to have the best nutrition while pregnant, and Shakeology will supply that! But you need to get your calories in as expected.
Pregnant and breastfeeding mommies should consume an additional 500 calories every day, and that’s where Shakeology comes in handy. In addition to your healthy balanced meals, also take Shakeology for the dense nutrition it provides.
By eating enough of the right foods and then supplementing your nutrition with Shakeology, you may just get the healthiest pregnancy you've had yet! And the nutrition in Shakeology makes for some fortified super milk breast milk!
Shakeology During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Concerns
Some doctors don’t want patients to take Shakeology during pregnancy and nursing due to the following concerns:
1. Shakeology is Not Approved by the FDA
Some doctors will only approve supplements that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration. However, the FDA does not approve any dietary supplements. Which is why YOU need to be diligent to look into the ingredients in ANY dietary supplements and shakes.
2. Vitamin A
Too much Vitamin A (in retinol form, from animal sources) has been linked to birth defects. However, the Vitamin A in Shakeology is beta-carotene, with which there are no correlating issues of any kind. In my pregnancy, I would alternate days, Shakeology one day, prenatal vitamin the next, just to eliminate any concern whatsoever about the Vitamin A.
3. Herbs
Shakeology contains small doses of certain herbs, which taken in large doses can induce labor. However, your doctor should be able to note the dosage, which would not have an effect in your pregnancy.
Shakeology’s Official Answer: Can I take Shakeology when I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
“Shakeology should only be taken by pregnant women and nursing mothers under the direction of their physicians. As with all of our supplements; we recommend that you consult with a healthcare professional if you are pregnant, breast feeding, or if you have any medical conditions. SPECIAL NOTE FOR VEGAN FORMULATIONS: Shakeology is dietary supplement in a food form, and since our vegan formulas are not fortified, the levels of any one nutrient should not be an issue for anyone or for a pregnant woman. Pregnant women need to careful about levels of Vitamin A (10,000 IU is the upper limit), but the amounts we have at unfortified levels are similar to those found in unfortified foods and in fruits and vegetables. Accordingly, pregnant women should consider their intake of vegan Shakeology as part of their normal diet, but should not rely solely on Shakeology to meet the needs of pregnancy for nutrients like, iron, folate, Vitamin A, or calcium.”
Nursing moms, I would absolutely introduce Shakeology slowly to your new bundle of joy. Start with 1/4 scoop and work your way to a full scoop over a month of time. Shakeology has many ingredients, some may bother your baby's tummy. For example, green leafy veggies can give your baby gas, and every baby is different. If you find that your baby cannot tolerate it, just wait until baby is 4 months old and then try again. The digestive system matures around 4 months and you may find that while it didn't work for your baby at one month, it might at 4!
I know if I would have had to completely stop with Shakeology while pregnant, and for the next year plus that I'm nursing, I would be extremely sad! Shakeology does so much for me besides the nutrition, it curbs junky cravings, improves my hair, skin, and nails, gives me energy that is caffeine free, and makes my digestive system function at it's best. But don’t just take it from me! Check out some actual real-life testimonials!
“I have been drinking shakeology for 15 months and nursing my daughter the entire time! In the beginning, I was worried about my milk supply with a complete diet change and adding this in but I actually noticed an increase since I was fueling my body with proper nutrition and vitamins! I drank original chocolate for a year and just switched to vegan because I’m trying to cut dairy.” Keleigh Gates
“When I had my youngest son I dried up at 6 months. I have been drinking shakeo with my daughter since she was 4 months old and I am still going. She is almost 8 months now. I have PCOS and shakeo has helped me to keep my supply when it would have otherwise been gone.” Alex Stuck
“I started drinking it while breastfeeding my son and noticed an increase in supply. I am now currently drinking it while pregnant and love it. I can let you know how amazing she turns out in a couple of weeks.” Katie Dyer
“The first 2 months of breastfeeding I started to actually have supply problems… I ordered my first bag of Shakeology around 6 weeks after my little was born, and once I started drinking I had no issues. We did find out he was lactose intolerant, so I switch to vegan. And no issues and for a while {when I actually did pump} I have a nice stock in the freezer, its been used up now, but we are 1 year strong {almost 2 weeks short}.” Sarah Sullivan
“I’m 29 weeks pregnant and have been drinking it every day for the past month and a half and I am sooooo much more energized than I was before I started drinking it! I also have been able to maintain/slow down my weight gain because it really curbs my cravings for junk!” Lola Yossi Azari
“I started drinking shakeology while nursing my 15 month old, no issues for her, as for me more energy and increased supply. I breast fed till she turned 2, and drank Shakeology daily.” Ana Jacome
“I’m breastfeeding AND pregnant and it’s made a total difference in my milk supply and energy. My supply was dropping with pregnancy hormones (which wasn’t an issue since Lucas is almost two), but since drinking it regularly, my supply has definitely increased. Breastfeeding while pregnant definitely drained my energy too, and that’s increased as well. My midwife and lactation consultant were both totally cool with me drinking it.” Candace Musselwhite
“I’ve been drinking shakeo for over a year now. I drank it off and on throughout my pregnancy without any issues. And I recently started drinking it again consistently for 3 months while nursing and I have had no negative results. In fact, I have only seen an increase in my milk supply. With my other 2 children I had always had a hard time producing enough milk and would have to supplement with formula. It’s such a relief not having to worry about that now!” Katie Raymond
“I have been drinking Shakeology for a month and a half and I am EBF my LO. I have noticed no change in my milk supply…. Still pumping volume on top of breastfeeding throughout the day. My LO had no adverse side effects from me drinking it. She is thriving and a happy 3 month old! I also got the green light from my Cleveland clinic pediatrician before I ordered the shakes.” Nathan-Justine Hitchcock
“I had my wisdom tooth pulled and was drinking 2 shakes a day and Greek yogurt for over a week. I was super nervous about my milk supply getting low because I wasn’t having solid food but my supply actually INCREASED from having 2 Shakeology smoothies a day.” Rachelle Lynn
“I started drinking it when I was 5 months pp. It increased my supply and restored my energy that I had lost. I used to feel so drained from breastfeeding, I rarely ever even had the energy to get off the couch. Now I’m almost 11 months pp and I’m able to keep up with my daughter, do intensive cardio exercises and still not feel drained. I can’t go a day without drinking it or I majorly feel the difference. Oh and tmi but it also helped me become regular which was also such a lifesaver because I had horrible constipation from giving birth up until I started drinking it regularly.” Bryanna Noelle Newell
“I started drinking Shakeology while breastfeeding my (then) 6 month old son. My milk supply was great and I felt amazing vs being exhausted most of the time prior to starting it. It also helped with the constant hunger which was especially great in the mornings as I’ve never been a breakfast person. My son was healthy and continued to grow like a weed. It was nice knowing that I was putting something in my body that wasn’t laden with chemicals and sugar and I knew those nutrients I was benefiting from were also going to my son.” Elizabeth Smith
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