Petra Nemcova's Secret To Getting Her Body Back After Baby

Why is it that for the rest of us, growing a baby for nine months results in stretch marks, sagging skin, and oh yeah, a whole bunch of weight we need to lose — while swimsuit models can be seen in their pre-baby bikinis, toting around their newborns? Before you claim that life is simply unfair, we want to let you in on a little secret. Czech supermodel Petra Nemcova, who has graced the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue and stalked the runway as a Victoria's Secret Angel, worked pretty hard to get back in shape.

We know this, because we got an exclusive interview with her nutritionist, Dr. Daryl Gioffre, author of Get Off Your Acid and upcoming book Get Off Your Sugar: Burn the Fat, Crush Your Cravings and Go From Stress Eating to Strength Eating (available for pre-order on Amazon). "It's not uncommon for new moms to feel in need of a reset with so many changes happening in their body. And that's exactly what Petra was experiencing," Gioffre said. "We've worked together for years, and she's always followed a healthy alkaline diet but she reached out a couple of months after Bodhi was born simply not feeling herself."

According to Gioffre, Nemcova needed "a reset," because despite her healthy eating habits, "she was feeling heavy in her gut and had an overall toxic, acidic feeling" — but the supermodel and humanitarian was also concerned about her milk supply, since she was breastfeeding at the time. "I suggested my Alkamind 2-Day Detox and assured her that it's completely safe to do while breastfeeding," Gioffre said. "My wife has done this detox several times while breastfeeding our two children. And that's because you are eating healthy, alkalizing plant-based recipes such as smoothies for breakfast, green soup for lunch, and a salad loaded with minerals and healthy fats for dinner. Kelly Ripa has also done this detox and raves about it!"

Gioffre did add in some healthy fats to support Nemcova's nursing and also her mood. "I suggest adding in some additional healthy fats to the recipes–or as a snack if hungry– such as avocado, raw nuts and seeds, raw nut butters," he explained, noting that peanut butter was not on this list. Gioffre also advised Nemcova to enjoy healthy oils such as coconut oil, extra-virgin olive oil, and avocado oil "to pump up the Omega-3s and Omega-9s to support nursing and help prevent postpartum depression."

Once he made sure that the first-time mother understood she should be eating enough healthy fats while she did his detox, Gioffre gave her the rules of the plan. "The detox incorporates smoothies to jump-start and energize your day, followed by some of the most delicious and nutritious raw soups for lunch, and a rainbow salad for dinner that is loaded with healthy fats, herbs, spices, and superfood toppings, while delivering the crucial minerals many of us–especially postpartum–are depleted of," Gioffre explained. What Nemcova was not allowed to eat were foods concerned acidic, "like sugar, grains, dairy, and processed foods that may make us feel better in the moment, but are only making us more acidic and inflamed," he said.

Sticking to low-acidic foods will help you feel like yourself again, added Gioffre, who offers nutritional guidance to many celebrity moms. "If you look at what super-fit and healthy moms like Petra eat, they don't eat 'junk food,' but they also don't eat restrictive, unsatisfying diets," he explained. "They strength eat, with delicious foods that give them energy, help them sleep better and recover faster, deliver resilience, and naturally remove the toxins from the body."