Reviewed by최연승대표원장
When and how should I safely start my postpartum diet? Could you provide a checklist?
Starting a diet before your body has fully recovered can jeopardize your health. Please check the following three conditions first: 1) Has the lochia (postpartum discharge) completely stopped? 2) Have joint pain and swelling subsided? 3) Have you regained enough strength through sufficient sleep? Only when these conditions are met can you pursue a safe weight loss plan that does not strain your body.
It is natural to feel an urgent desire to return to your pre-pregnancy body after childbirth. However, the body remains extremely vulnerable during the postpartum period. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is viewed as a period of severe deficiency in Qi and Blood (氣血). If you experience Spleen Deficiency (脾虛)—a decline in digestive function—nutrient absorption is impaired, leading to further exhaustion and potentially creating a constitution where weight loss becomes more difficult. Extreme fasting or potent medications can lead to dizziness and physical collapse.
Before focusing on weight loss, it is crucial to first address the accumulation of Phlegm-Fluid (痰飮, stagnant metabolic waste) and Blood Stasis (瘀血, stagnant blood) acquired during pregnancy. Much like a full trash can cannot be ignored simply by closing the lid, these internal wastes must be cleared first to restore smooth metabolism and enable healthy weight loss. Rather than jumping into rigorous exercise or extreme diets, prioritizing an accurate assessment of your current recovery stage is essential. I will personally evaluate your condition and help you establish a step-by-step plan tailored to your recovery. Please feel free to visit the clinic for a detailed consultation.