Support your postpartum healing and connection with nourishing foods! Nutrient dense foods support the intense immediate physical postpartum recovery, improve energy and mood, and directly impact breastmilk supply. Nutrient needs actually increase postpartum, especially if you are choosing to breastfeed or pump. Just like in pregnancy, you’re still growing a human, they just happen to be earth-side!

Eating nourishing foods can be simple and painless, even during the most sleep deprived days. Keep reading to check our top five nourishing postpartum foods, along with plenty of simple and delcious recipes to keep you inspired, happy and healthy.

Soups and Stews

Some of the best foods for the postpartum time are dishes like soups, stews, curries, or just straight up bone broth. Not only are these options nourishing, but they are also easily made ahead of time and freezable (win-win!). Soups and stews are also excellent ways to sneak in lots of veggies with minimal effort. ⁣

Try one of these three soup and stew recipes from the blog tonight or freeze and save for later!

One Pot Loaded Veggie Chili

Instant Pot Chicken Vegetable Soup

Roasted Tomato Soup

Collagen Rich Food

Collagen is an essential part of our connective tissue ( skin, ligaments, bones and teeth). (1) Think of collagen as the “glue” that keeps those tissues together. (1) Collagen is essential to the repair and recovery process during the postpartum time. Bone broth is one source of collagen, as well as slow cooked meats and drippings, which have higher amounts of collagen. Taking a powdered collagen supplement that can be easily mixed into any beverage is another great option.

Here are a few recipes from the blog to get you started:

Simple Autumn Bone Broth

Boosted Bone Broth

Instant Pot Apple Pork Shoulder

Anti-inflammatory Foods

Healing after birth is an intense stress on the body (something you may already be very aware of). Eating foods that reduce inflammation will help with rest and recovery in the immediate months following birth. Fresh foods with bright and intense pigments will typically contain an abundance of anti-inflammatory properties. Those with deep, dark colors like beets, berries, matcha green tea and even dark cocoa are rich in anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, turmeric root is one of the most notable anti-inflammatory spices out there with high amounts of curcumin, a potent antioxidant.

Incorporate more anti-inflammatory antioxidants into your diet with these recipes:

Boosted Bone Broth

Berry Greens Smoothie (bonus: this will take *maybe* 5 minutes to make!)

Pomegranate Kale Salad

Healthy Fats

Healthy fats are minimally processed fats from pasture-raised animals, cold pressed nuts and seeds and fatty fish. Avocado, olives, coconut, sardines, and butter are some of our favorite fats.

Why? These foods contain easily usable sources of the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6. These essential fats work to down-regulate inflammatory pathways and are particularly helpful in healing. (3)

Enjoy these make ahead snacks packed with healthy fats:

Avocado Sardine Salad (2 for 1!)

Cinnamon Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

Stuffed Dates with Nut Butter or Goat Cheese

Water

Water is vital to healing and maintaining good energy. Staying hydrated allows your body to rebuild faster. If you’re a milk making mama, it’s especially important to drink enough water. The main component in breastmilk is water! In general, women are recommended to drink at least 10-15 cups of water a day. Sound like a lot? That’s only about 1 cup per waking hour of your day! If plain water is too boring, try herbal tea or infused waters! If you feel like your constantly racing to the bathroom, try adding a pinch of sea salt to your water. This introduces important electrolytes, boosting energy and keeping you hydrated, too.

Resources:

The Collagen Connection. www.nutritionreview.org. https://nutritionreview.org/2013/04/collagen-connection/. Accessd December 28,2018.

Inflammation. www.lpi.oregonstate.edu. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/inflammation#phytochemicals. Accessed December 29, 2018.

Essential Fatty Acids. www.lpi.oregonstate.edu. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/other-nutrients/essential-fatty-acids. Accessed December 29, 2018.