Can I Drink Herbalife While Breastfeeding?

Herbalife concentrates on offering consumers a beautiful nutritional balance with its range of products. Notably, this brand provides many supplements rich in protein to those who wish to lose weight and keep fit.

That’s why new mommies often take Herbalife products as a method to get back a nice body shape. However, that raises a burning concern: Is Herbalife safe for breastfeeding?

It’s true that those supplements are nutritious, yet not all products are safe during nursing. Whether it’s good for you and your newborn depends on which Herbalife product you intend to consume.

Now, we’ll discuss some prominent merchandise from this brand regarding functions and lactating mother safety.

Are Herbalife Products Safe While Breastfeeding?

Herbalife offers 40 plus products aimed at weight reduction, from supplements and teas to bars and shakes. Below are the 12 products most broadly used.

1. Formula 1 Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake

As the brand’s core weight-reduction shake, the nutritional Formula 1 comes with plenty of protein and balanced macronutrients that support its users to lose weight.

Essentially, it functions as a meal replacement shake that is easy to consume anytime.

One serving (often two scoops) provides:

• No trans fat or cholesterol
• Protein (9 grams)
• 21 essential minerals and vitamins

Formula 1 powder comes in various flavors, such as Café Latte, Cookies & Cream, or Banana Caramel. The primary element is soy isolate, which provides plenty of protein.

There is not only one Formula 1 variety but also:

• Formula 1 Select: contains 21 minerals and vitamins, six grams of sugar, five grams of fiber, and ten grams of protein.
• Instant Meal shake: contains 24 minerals and vitamins and 20 grams of protein.
• PDM with two protein volume options: 17g and 24g.
• Express bars with 5g of fiber, 21 minerals and vitamins, and 15g of protein.

The similarity between these Formula 1 options is that the primary ingredient is in the soy protein form. The most significant problem breastfeeding mothers should know is that most soy grown in the United States is GMO soy. Yet, Herbalife state that soy in their goods is non-GMO.

What makes Formula powder stand out is that it provides a nicely balanced meal effortless to prepare. Some just even open and eat! It helps busy mommies stay in shape and lose weight while still feeding the baby with healthy breast milk.

2. Protein Drink Mix

Consuming extra protein will help you lose weight since it adds energy to your body, making you feel full longer.

Herbalife has introduced a protein-based line-up that provides you with an additional protein boost, including:

• Protein beverage mix select
• Coffee high in protein
• Protein bites
• Powders
• Drink mixes

Like Formula 1, these protein shakes contain 24 essential minerals and vitamins and 15 grams of soy protein, whereas bite snacks include only 60 calories and four grams of protein.

The Mix Select option is a blend of rice protein, quinoa, and pea, making it a fantastic choice for mothers looking to eschew soy, while the coffee relies on whey.

The ingredients in Herbalife protein shakes and protein-based products are safe to use while breastfeeding. Also, they include crucial minerals and vitamins for healthy weight loss and wellness.

3. Herbalife Tea

You can take Herbalife tea while breastfeeding, provided your doctor determines it’s safe for you and your infant. Remember to show your doctor the label of your Herbalife tea so that he can confirm a precise answer.

The biggest problem with tea products is caffeine. Indeed, only one percent of the caffeine you consume blends into your breast milk. It may seem a tiny amount, yet newborns can’t digest caffeine as fast as adults can.

Surprisingly, caffeine can remain unprocessed in a newborn’s body for 130 hours since their liver and kidneys are not entirely developed. Thus, even if you only consume a minute amount of caffeine, your infant’s system can suffer from caffeine build-up over time.

Still, the CDC states that it is safe to intake caffeine of 300 mg or less per day during nursing. Most tea products introduced by Herbalife do not contain a large amount of caffeine (approximately 85 mg of caffeine per serving).

Still, consuming over one serving a day for several days may affect your baby’s system. So, be mindful, and do not drink any tea without asking for your doctor’s agreement.

4. Herbal Aloe

People often take aloe vera juice orally to alleviate symptoms of constipation, epilepsy, diabetes, and asthma. This plant contains properties that lower blood sugar, so doctors may recommend it to people with diabetes of Type II.

Scientists announce that aloe offers beneficial impacts on our immune system, reducing fevers and inhibiting some viruses. Also, it can minimize peptic ulcers and heartburn.

Researchers also found anthraquinone glycosides in aloe vera juice – plant compounds that generate laxative effects, helping relieve constipation.

However, the American Pregnancy Association states that aloe vera is potentially unsafe during breastfeeding and pregnancy because of the risks of blood sugar drops and uterine contractions.

Any laxative supplement made of aloe, like those containing barbaloin and aloin, may reduce electrolyte levels. Though there are declarations that decent doses are beneficial and safe, scientific evidence so far is not enough to affirm its usage.

Moreover, aloe is too harsh for a newborn’s digestive system, and it can pass through your breast milk and access the baby.

Lactating women may sometimes suffer from diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. Thus, unless your doctor recommends it to you, it’s best to steer clear of aloe vera orally when breastfeeding and pregnancy.

5. Herbalife 21-Day Cleanse

A healthy and well-nourished body normally eradicates those toxic wastes via the digestive system, kidneys, skin, and lungs.

However, over time, bad nutritional habits like excessive processed food consumption, improper fiber intake, insufficient hydration, and stress may slow down the eradication, leading to the toxic accumulation.

Some people take Herbalife 21-day Cleanse to treat the following symptoms:

• Irritability and headaches
• Poor bowel function/digestion
• Difficulty in weight management
• General fatigue and malaise
• Bloating and excess gas
• Lack of energy

The 21-Day Cleansing program was born to provide consumers with necessary botanical and nutritional factors, optimizing their colon function and eliminating toxicity in their bodies. Also, those with inflammatory bowel issues, acute abdominal aches, diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea should use them.

While the AM Renew tablets may be safe during breastfeeding, PM Reset tablets are unsuitable for lactating women and newborns. If you follow this program, you will not drink enough fluids and not eat enough fibers, which causes abnormal bowel movements and adversely affects the baby.

6. Herbalife Liftoff

This supplement acts as an energy booster as it includes caffeine and will help you feel alert. Sleep deprivation is a constant matter during pregnancy and breastfeeding. But is it good to take Herbalife Liftoff to stay alert all day?

Caffeine, even a small amount, does the baby no good. Although Liftoff contains only 75 mg of caffeine per tablet, which is safe to use during breastfeeding, according to the CDC, the best idea is to ask your doctor if you can take the product while breastfeeding.

Remember that your caffeine consumption should be under greater control during nursing. Also, Liftoff contains various herbs that might negatively affect your breast milk. Notably, it’s better to consume ginseng with caution.

7. Herbalife Cell-U-Loss

Herbalife designs Cell-U-Loss to help those with excess water in their bodies get rid of it and, therefore, lose weight.

Cell-U-Loss Advanced is another diuretic that assists in eliminating surplus water in your body without affecting your body’s electrolyte and pH balance.

This supplement contains several beneficial ingredients, which are plant-based, such as asparagus root, dandelion leaf, parsley herb, and corn silk extracts. However, if you take this supplement too frequently, you’ll risk dehydration, a no-no for a breastfeeding woman’s body.

The warning from Herbalife is that nursing or pregnant women and children under 18 should not take Cell-U-Loss. If you feel like your body is storing too much water, consult your healthcare provider for an appropriate measure.

8. Herbalife Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex

Formula 2 Multivitamin compromises many healthy herbs and 21 essential minerals and vitamins. Thanks to the blend of special ingredients and the ability to boost the immune system, this supplement stands out from the crowd. It provides antioxidants to your body, helping manage healthy weight loss and vitalize the body’s systems.

Minerals in Formula 2 help your body stay healthy, develop, and thrive. Also, it assists in transmitting nerve impulses and building strong bones. Some minerals even help with maintaining a proper heartbeat and producing hormones.

Mothers should have a conversation with a registered dietitian or healthcare provider to determine whether they can take these supplements or not.

If you stick to a strict diet, you will fail to provide your body with adequate nutrients, increasing the chance of nutritional deprivation or deficiencies. Thus, consuming certain immune-boosting products is safe during breastfeeding, such as a multivitamin. If your diet is too restrictive, you should choose a well-known product (like Herbalife Formula 2 Multivitamin) that offers safe dosages.

And note this point down: do not exceed the suggested daily amount that your doctor sees fit for you.

9. New Mom for Wellness

Unlike other supplements, New Mom for Wellness comes in powder form, and you can take it with Formula 1 shakes. The New Mom’s primary ingredients include:

• Folate helps you maintain adequate energy all day long.
• Vitamin B6 helps with hormone regulation.
• Essential minerals and vitamins that support focus and energy.

People often add one serving to a shake every day. Yet, remember that the brand doesn’t specifically state that it is safe or unsafe for lactating mommies, though its name is New Mom for Wellness.

So, always ask your doctor or an expert before adding it to your diet. In most cases, doctors will allow breastfeeding moms to use this product in moderation.

While losing weight, don’t forget to still ensure adequate nutrients and calories to nurse your baby.

10. Herbalife Prolessa Duo

Herbalife Prolessa Duo is a fat-burning supplement in powder form, usually used for weight management. It does a great job of fostering fat reduction and controlling hunger.

This dual-function formula is suitable for mixing with other shakes or any Herbalife product and replacing a meal high in calories. Drinking it will generate a sense of fullness, curb cravings, reduce calorie consumption, and help you burn fat moderately.

However, this powder contains GMO soy, which is the cause of hormonal imbalances, impacting estrogen levels. Also, GMO soy triggers many side effects, like thyroid issues.

Those under 18 and pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take Prolessa Duo. We’ve compiled some common side effects that this product may induce based on its ingredients, including:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Stomach discomfort

11. Total Control

People consider Total Control an innovative herbal supplement born to support the weight reduction process. This non-ephedra supplement works around the cellular regions to help boost energy, block cravings, and burn fat.

It provides you with the power to eventually maintain and achieve your ideal body figure. Though it’s an advanced formula, we would never recommend taking any slimming portion or pill, including the plant-based ones, if you’re nursing.

Why? Because some ingredients can be addictive and blend in your breast milk, adversely affecting your infant. Moreover, dietary supplements or foods containing added phenylalanine (a crucial amino acid) usually have a phenylketonurics warning.

Those with phenylketonuria, a scarce metabolic disorder, can’t metabolize this critical amino acid appropriately. If that’s your case, you must avoid taking Total Control.

12. Herbalife NRG

While the coffee products contain 95 mg of caffeine a serving (128 mg if you prepare a latte with multiple shots) and herbal thermogenic tea contains 85 mg a serving, the NRG contains only 40 mg a serving.

A doctor told us that it’s not harmful to drink no more than one cup of joe a day. It is a riveting idea to drink tea instead of coffee. It’ll make a world of difference. Not only does it feel better, but it also helps maintain energy for longer. You won’t have to drink any additional shakes.

We recommend drinking Herbalife NRG two to three hours before nursing. When using this product, you’ll rarely experience sleeplessness, so just stick to this routine.

All in all, it’s important to know that Herbalife products haven’t been specifically tested to prove safety and pose no severe side effects while breastfeeding or during pregnancy. Hence, we advise lactating moms to discuss supplementation and dietary changes with their doctors to determine their suitability.

Those experts will rely on dietary restrictions, nutritional needs, and health status of the baby and mother to conclude.

Conclusion

There’s always an everlasting connection between mothers and babies, either in soul or nutrition. Thus, mommies need to care for themselves properly during the breastfeeding stage to ensure their children grow with health and wisdom.

You now know which Herbalife products are safe to take while breastfeeding. Not all supplements are suitable for a lactating woman’s vulnerable body and baby. Thus, be cautious of anything you consume!