When I was on bed rest in the hospital after giving birth to my first child, I started seeing an acupuncturist. She asked me what my postpartum care plan was. Honestly? I haven’t thought about it. I think I might hire a lactation coach or night nurse if needed. Then she rephrased the question: “How will you care for yourself Postpartum? Now I definitely didn’t expect this. Instead, my strategy was to hold on tight and try to survive. Thankfully, she introduced me to a treatment plan that included recipes for the first 40 days to help me nourish myself during this period of recovery.
The First 40 Days – The Basic Art of Nourishing New Moms Author: Ou Heng Became my guide to postpartum recovery. Not only does it include postpartum recipes, it also outlines how to care for yourself after giving birth.
Featured image is from Teal Thomsen’s interview with Alex Taylor.
How to nourish yourself after giving birth
first 40 days It is based on Ms. Ou’s own experience with Zuo Yuezhi – the period of postpartum “confinement” when new mothers stay at home and focus on healing and connecting with their babies. You guessed it, the first 40 years after birth. sky. This book contains 60 simple and delicious recipes. This includes everything from healing soups to supplement meals and snacks to calming and lactation-boosting teas. Each recipe is created to meet the unique needs of new moms.
I reached out to Oh to share some of her favorite recipes and advice. “Broth is the basis of the postpartum diet, and having broth stored in the refrigerator or freezer can be a lifesaver in the early days of life,” Au told me. “Heat a pot of various stocks, add protein, vegetables and noodles. Voila!
The first 40 days of recipes that guided my recovery journey
Our natural tendency is to eat healthy while recovering from childbirth, but there’s actually more to it than just healthy eating. The type of food we choose directly affects our recovery. Teaching by Tara SoratiChef, nutritionist and co-founder of How You Glow said it best. “Generally, cold foods are harder to digest, but after birth, when your body is trying to heal and produce milk, you want to make it as easy as possible with warm foods to allow the body to heal and be nourished.”
With that in mind, here are five postpartum recipes that I relied on during the postpartum period. Consider making them for the new mom in your life – I guarantee they’ll be a hit.
Read more: Postpartum Diet Prep: The Ultimate Guide to Healing Foods
Grain-Free Overnight Oats, 3 Ways
These overnight (grain-free) oats are packed with nutrients. While oats can help promote lactation, not everyone digests them the same way. This delicious, nutritious breakfast is perfect for new moms who are choosing a grain-free lifestyle. The basic combo calls for a mix of nuts, seeds, and spices to keep you full and energized. From there, you can customize them however you want. Pear and granola, berries and cream, chocolate coconut shortbread—the choices abound.
kichari
Kitchari is a staple of Ayurvedic postpartum care. Soft, easy-to-digest foods are a great soothing choice in your postpartum diet. The meal felt like being wrapped in a warm, cozy hug. You can think of it as a flavorful, anti-inflammatory alternative to chicken noodle soup. How interesting.
Adaptable Hot Chocolate
Who doesn’t like functional comfort? When I’m craving chocolate, this is my go-to. Cocoa itself is considered a powerful heart-opener. Combined with roses, which are said to bring love, healing and compassion, this hot chocolate also allows you to enjoy some time to yourself. If you give the ingredients for these postpartum recipes to a new mom, include an encouraging note to encourage her. Who doesn’t love positive affirmation?
Simple Bone Broth
Broth is a staple in postpartum recovery. Consider it a superfood for recovering moms. Bone broth supports healthy brain function, fights fatigue, and supports skin and joints as hormone levels balance after childbirth. Trust us, it’s easier than you think!
Vegan Meatballs
One of my favorite postpartum recipes is these meatballs – they tick all the boxes! Mushrooms are a nutritional powerhouse, rich in essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, protein and antioxidants. These are also very simple Freeze and reheat as needed.
