Carrying a baby for nine months and giving birth can take a toll on a woman’s body. Thus, new moms absolutely need to be mindful in choosing the right foods once the baby arrives. You see, eating a healthy diet packed with nutritious, high-energy foods is a positive step towards healing your body from the stress of delivery while also helping replenish any nutrients you may have lost in the previous months.
If you are breastfeeding, ensure that your little one gets all the necessary nutrients required for optimum growth and development by including a colorful variety of veggies, grains, dairy, proteins, healthy fats and vitamin-rich foods in your diet.
Here, we list down five superfoods that work wonders for both mom and baby. They also happen to be delicious and can be easily prepared as mouth-watering dishes, which makes eating them an absolute pleasure. Routinely incorporating these powerhouse ingredients into a balanced diet along with drinking plenty of water will help boost your energy levels following the birth of your newborn.
Brown Rice
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A great source of fiber, healthy whole grain carbohydrates such as brown rice help keep your energy levels up, your blood sugar level in check and provide your body with the calories needed to fuel milk production. Soak and thoroughly rinse the rice grains before cooking to get rid of excess starch. Incorporate brown rice into salads, Asian-style stir-fries, pilafs, savory congees, and more. Likewise, try roasted red bell peppers stuffed with brown rice, herbs, and ground chicken for a delicious, Vitamin C-packed snack.
Salmon
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Salmon comes highly recommended due to its infinite nutritional values. A fatty fish with high levels of protein and vitamin B12, salmon is also rich in DHA, which is a type of fat that helps with the development of your baby’s nervous system. The omega-3 fatty acids contained in salmon and other fatty fish also help alleviate symptoms of postpartum depression. Ideally, you should consume two portions a week and opt for wild over farmed salmon and fresh instead of frozen.
Dark Chocolate
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Leafy Greens
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Dark, verdant veggies like spinach, kale, broccoli, and rocket are jam-packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that are important for both mother and baby. Low in calories and yet, loaded with fiber, they help with digestion and keep energy levels high without raising your blood sugar. If salads are too boring for you, have these veggies in stir fries and chunky frittatas or blend them up with some of your favorite fruit to make a filling and insanely healthy smoothie.
Eggs
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Poached, scrambled, fried or baked, eggs are versatile and a great source of protein, amino acids, vitamins, calcium, and minerals. They are great at providing you with the necessary nutrients for postpartum healing. The vitamin D in egg yolks helps to strengthen bones while zinc helps to support a healthy immune system by promoting cell reproduction and tissue repair. Choline, on the other hand, helps with nerve and liver function and has been found to be a crucial ingredient in a baby’s development.
As your baby grows, make sure to keep on learning about stuff that will help in his/her development as well as how to keep your family healthy at all times. For busy moms who rely on online shopping to get access to many of their needs, Saleduck is a fantastic platform that offers coupons, vouchers and deals to parenting and baby care sites, groceries and more - allowing you to shop from the comforts of your own home. Visit the Saleduck’s Babies & Children category here and start scoring incredible deals!
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