It’s no secret that your body goes through a lot during pregnancy and after giving birth and the best chance of recovery is to give it lots of nutrients. Additionally, your little one is dependent on you for nutrition which makes it even more important that you maintain a healthy diet specially meant for healing after giving birth. Everything you eat during the first few months post-partum should be carefully picked to promote recovery and replenish depleted nutrients in your body. Here are some foods you should consider eating after giving birth.
Oats
This is a must-have after giving birth. It’s jam-packed with nutrients such as fibre, zinc, calcium and B Vitamins to aid in a number of bodily functions. One of the main reasons new mothers are recommended to eat oats on a daily basis is because it’s one of the best foods to boost milk production. Thanks to its plant estrogen content, it stimulates milk glands to make more milk. It’s also a great energy booster and fights off feelings of exhaustion, stress and anxiety which can lead to postpartum depression. Healthy Oat Recipes You Should Try
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Sesame Seeds
Don’t let these little seeds fool you. Sesame seeds, famously known as simsim, are a rich source of fibre, zinc, magnesium and Vitamin B which are crucial nutrients for women after giving birth. They help restore bone health, reduce the risk of blood pressure, assist in digestion and prevent anaemia. Sesame also promotes healthy milk production and helps rejuvenate reproductive organs. Those are many benefits of such a small seed.
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Green Vegetables
Green veggies are an important part of our diet whether pregnant or not. However, for new mothers, greens are key in promoting healthy pregnancy, aiding recovery after birth as well as promoting the baby’s health. They are a rich source of iron, calcium and Vitamins A & C which are natural immune boosters, aid in digestion and help lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases by lowering cholesterol levels. If you’re not a fan of eating greens, you can make a tasty green smoothie that contains the same nutritional value.
Turmeric
Known for its earthy aroma and golden colour, turmeric is a staple in many cuisines including Swahili cuisine. It also offers a number of health benefits that are incredibly supportive food for mothers after giving birth. It gently stimulates the uterus which helps tone it and return it to its pre-pregnancy size. Curcumin, the active compound that gives turmeric its rich golden colour has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that aid recovery after birth. The Many Benefits Of Turmeric
Dairy
Dairy products, whether milk, cheese or yoghurt, are an important part of the diet during breastfeeding. They are one of the best sources of calcium, protein, and B vitamins. These nutrients are crucial for your baby’s nutrition as the baby also absorbs calcium from the breastmilk for bone development. Additionally, they are essential for mothers as well to replace the lost calcium in their bodies. If you’re lactose intolerant, soy milk will offer similar nutritional benefits to dairy.
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Yams
Yam is considered a natural aphrodisiac in many African countries. It’s classified as a Phytoestrogen plant which is a plant that has natural estrogen in them. This helps fight menopausal symptoms and boosts low libido in women. Additionally, this plant is beneficial for new mothers. It helps boost milk production and its anti-inflammatory content can help manage pain and prevent infections such as UTIs which are common after giving birth.
Chicken Broth
New mothers are recommended to avoid meat for at least 4 weeks after giving birth due to its heaviness. However, proteins are necessary for recovery after giving birth. To rip these nutritional benefits, new mothers could opt for chicken broth. It offers an array of powerful health benefits thanks to its rich magnesium, collagen, protein, iron, potassium, and calcium content. Some of the benefits include building strength, aiding in digestion, improving sleep and boosting the body’s immunity against diseases. 7 Health Benefits Of Bone Broth
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