Giving birth is a process whereby you will burn a lot of calories. According to Baby Center, a woman wore her Fitbit during labour and found that she burned 1383 calories giving birth! Hence, it is natural for your body to feel completely exhausted after giving birth.
Prior to the delivery, moms are always told to fast during labour because there is a risk of aspiration if the food or liquid is inhaled into the lungs. Therefore, you will need to refuel yourself with nutrient-rich food after giving birth.
Chicken Soup/Broth
Chicken soup or broth is something you can prepare for mom after giving birth. It helps to keep your body warm right after giving birth.
After giving birth, you are going to sweat a lot because your body is adjusting to the dramatic hormone fluctuations. If you are planning to breastfeed your little one, you will need to drink a lot. It’s estimated that a lactating mom needs an additional litre per day of fluid compared to a non-lactating mom.
Chicken soup or broth is best for mom after giving birth. It is hydrating and replenishes your body with minerals and fluid which helps in breastfeeding. At the same time, it provides nutrients to your body for recovery.
Dates
Dates are nature’s original sweet candy which can be easily broken down by your body. It can be easily packed into your hospital bag. According to the study, consuming dates immediately after giving birth will reduce blood loss and haemorrhaging significantly. Moms who eat dates in their late pregnancy will have a smoother delivery as well. But this does not apply to moms who have gestational diabetes.
Other than that, dates are also an amazing source of simple sugars that give you an energy boost after giving birth. It is a source of energy and contains a lot of nutrients including vitamins. Consuming dates will help in increasing breast milk because dates will activate prolactin which is the hormone to tell your body produce more breastmilk.
Oatmeal with fruit
Due to pregnancy hormone, constipation is a common side effect after giving birth. The first bowel movement may be delayed to the third or fourth day after labour. In such a case, you need to make sure that you are having a fibre-rich diet.
Other than drinking enough water, you will need to increase intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your meal to keep your bowel movements regularly. Oatmeal with fruits can be a convenient yet nutritious breakfast after giving birth. The oatmeal is rich in iron, calcium and also fibre which helps to prevent constipation. You can add some fruits on top to give a sweetness on the bland taste.
Eggs
After the leg days, people will eat protein snacks. It is the same as labour which your muscle will contract non-stop throughout the whole process of delivery. Therefore, eggs are an essential source of protein that soothe your sore muscle after giving birth. It helps with muscle repair and also allows you to stay full for a longer period. Other than that, eggs also contain Omega-3 which can help to reduce your risk of having postpartum depression.
Welcoming a new life is exciting and overwhelming. Whether you decide to breastfeed or not, you should be concerned about what food to eat after delivery to ensure you have a nutritious diet for your body recovery. See our menu for the balanced and nutritious yet tasty food choice after giving birth.
