It is often said that motherhood begins as soon as the baby starts developing inside your womb. While being a mother is one of the most fulfilling roles that a woman can have, it can also take a toll on your body. Childbirth, for instance, is filled with anticipation because it's the culmination of nine months’ worth of preparation. But after all the excitement, postpartum starts trickling in.
Recovering from childbirth doesn't happen overnight. It can take months for your body to feel like it normally would. But, as long as you rest well and eat right, you can find yourself recovering sooner than anticipated. With that, here are some of the most nutritious confinement dishes that will help your body get back into full swing.
1. Sheng Hua soup
This Chinese dish is the perfect postpartum fix. Typically, eggs and chicken are best excluded from your diet during the first week after giving birth to comply with Chinese confinement practices. During this period, your meal choices should help you dispel wind from your stomach, heal the wounds you might have incurred during delivery and keep your body warm.
With the above taken into consideration, Sheng Hua soup is a good choice because it relieves various bodily pains and stimulates and improves blood flow. The promotion of blood circulation helps to reduce the chances of blood clots. With that being said, when to take this herbal soup is dependent on your method of delivery. If you’re a mother that has delivered naturally, it's best to consume Sheng Hua soup in the first two days. But if you had a cesarean, you ought to have it on the last two days of your first confinement week.
2. Stir-fried sliced fish with ginger & onion
To complement the Sheng Hua soup, it's important that you also enjoy meat-based meals – meals that contain fish, to be more specific. Eating fish in the first week after giving birth is recommended as it is a rich source of omega-3, such as EPA and DHA, both of which are good for your heart health.
This dish is included in an ideal confinement meal because it enlists fish as its main ingredient and is usually fried with onions and garlic. Among many other health benefits, these two ingredients have been proven to help control blood sugar and inflammation.
3. Stir-fried pumpkin with green peas & minced meat
If you are craving vegetables more than meat, you might want to sink your teeth into stir-fried pumpkin, fragrantly fried with green peas and minced meat. Experts recommend green peas and meat as they are excellent sources of protein.
Additionally, most people consider pumpkins as the ultimate postpartum nourishment because it is rich in vitamin A, a nutrient that boosts lactation. If you are planning to breastfeed your baby, it’s crucial to identify what foods you need and what foods to steer clear of to offer your newborn the best quality of milk.
Conclusion
All in all, confinement foods are crafted to promote the body's speedy recovery after going through birth. Postpartum can be a very stressful time for new mothers; that's why it's essential to eat foods that will help see you through the bodily changes, mood swings, sleepless nights, and other new Mummy struggles.
Instead of preparing confinement meals, if you are looking for a leading Chinese confinement food delivery service, our team at Yue Zi Le Confinement Catering have curated the perfect meal plans for up to a whole one month after childbirth. Simply drop us a call at +65 8448 1177 to start your postnatal recovery today!