Final answer:
It is generally true that if the increased caloric intake needed for lactation is met, mothers can exercise for longer without negatively impacting lactation performance. The additional energy needs for a lactating mother can be around 720 Kcal/day. Adequate nutrition ensures that physical activity does not compromise milk production.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'TRUE FALSE: If caloric intake is met, mothers can exercise for longer without affecting lactation performance' is generally TRUE. Lactating mothers need to consume extra calories to compensate for the energy requirements of milk production. During lactation, more energy is required to produce lactose, milk fat, and casein, which are all components of breast milk.
It is crucial for lactating mothers to meet the additional caloric demand, which can be as high as approximately 720 Kcal/day, to support the production of a sufficient volume of milk. If a lactating mother's caloric intake meets this increased need, she can engage in physical exercise without detrimental effects on lactation performance.
Exercise can also be beneficial as it can help to build lean tissue, thus raising the basal metabolic rate (BMR), leading to more calories being burnt even when at rest. However, the key is to ensure that the energy expended through exercise does not exceed the additional energy sourced from the diet. Therefore, if the required increase in caloric intake is met, mothers can exercise without worrying about a decrease in the quantity or quality of breast milk produced.