Self-care, right after labour, wouldn’t be making it to your to-do list for at least a month. But the truth is that the initial months are equally crucial for the mother as they are for the baby.
In the first two to three months, consuming alcohol or incorporating junk food into your diet isn’t a good decision. So ignoring yourself and not prioritising yourself can bear unwanted consequences. Therefore, it’s essential to take care of your health and well-being as well.
To help you begin this process, here are the 12 healthy foods to eat right after your labour. They will provide you with the nutrients required to have a healthy postpartum period.
Foods To Eat After Labour
Eating proper, healthy, and nutritious meals will help you stay active and heal the body faster. Not only that, but it will also prove to be beneficial for your baby.
Following are some of the food items that you must include in your diet:
1. Oatmeal
If you thought that giving birth was scary, then you might have to wait for that postpartum poop. Unfortunately, due to the extreme wear and tear of pushing a baby out of your uterus, it is most likely that going to the washroom will be a significant problem.
Moreover, you can expect episodes of constipation after birth due to pregnancy hormones. So in order to help things move smoothly down there, you must include foods that are rich in fibre in your diet.
Adding oatmeal to your diet will be perfect as it is a bland carb that eases constipation. You can top the oatmeal bowl off with some fruits such as berries, strawberries, and more.
2. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, are a must-have along with an iron-rich meal. In addition, they are a great way to boost your energy levels.
Oranges and other citrus fruits are excellent breastfeeding food items since they are full of Vitamin C. Therefore, new moms need them way more than pregnant women. It also improves your immune system that will keep the baby complete with antioxidants.
You’ll even see your postpartum wound healing pretty quickly once oranges become one of your daily intakes.
3. Green Leafy Vegetables
Dark, leafy greens such as spinach, leaf lettuce, and broccoli contain numerous vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, calcium, and iron. Such green veggies are also low in calories and taste yummy – an actual win-win situation!
4. Beef
After birth, it is completely normal to lose some blood. And because of that, you may experience iron deficiency and anaemia.
Both of these can interfere with your recovery. Hence you’ll need a food item that can swiftly help you compensate for the loss. That’s where beef comes to play.
Eating beef or including small amounts of it will help you regain your sodium balance and keep your blood levels in check.
5. Canned Beans
Canned beans are a great source of proteins, and you can eat them with any of your meals! The high fibre and proteins present in beans can aid you in keeping your digestive system running. It’s necessary, especially after vaginal or C-section birth.
6. Eggs
Having eggs for breakfast is a great way to start your day with a burst of energy. You’ll even find your muscles soothed that you have been in an ordeal due to the entire birth process.
Moreover, the fun part about eggs is that you can have them in any way you like. You can either have it scrambled, hard or soft boiled, fried or in the shape of an omelette.
7. Nuts
Don’t you wish to have a good supply of milk for the sake of your little one? For that, you must take these healthy fats.
Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts soaked in water fortify their goodness and prove to be a good snack that you can have from time to time. What’s more, these will aid in the proper development of your little one’s brain and organs. That is why you can’t leave out this food item at all!
8. Dates
Dates are the sweet little candies that almost everyone loves. These simple sugars are full of many vitamins. You can pack them with ease and eat anytime.
That said, dates are also said to increase your milk supply and contain dietary fibre and potassium, making the average blood loss and haemorrhaging minor and controlled.
9. Apples
Apples are the perfect mix of proteins, vitamins, and healthy fats. Moreover, they can help you get rid of that bad breath if you cannot walk up to the sink. This fruit is an instant energiser and can keep the lethargic feeling at bay!
10. Chicken Noodle Soup
Since sweating is also a regular post-birth activity, you’ll need something to keep you hydrated constantly. So if you aren’t a big fan of water, then chicken noodle soup might cut out for you!
The warm, salty broth is going to excite your taste buds and give you something new to have instead of plain water. The soft noodles are going to be easy to chew. Overall, chicken noodle soup will give life to your sour taste.
11. Seafood
If you are going to eat seafood, then you might have to check for fish advisories. However, eating fish like tuna and salmon is DHA and EPA’s richest source on the bright side. They highly contribute to the vision and brain development of the baby.
12. Sweet Potatoes
Eating just one sweet potato can meet the daily recommendation of Vitamin A and is essential for breastfeeding moms. Since sweet potatoes are root veggies, the mineral and vitamin content is much higher and better than the vegetables.
So get your hands on sweet potatoes and spice it up with a bit of red and black pepper!
Conclusion
Looking after yourself and taking care of your diet equals a healthy baby. So if you want to ensure that your baby is healthy, has a robust immune system along with typical development – then, pay attention to yourself!
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