Are you breastfeeding and planning for the best meals for you and your baby? Then this article is for you as we’ve rounded up the easy-to-prepare, tasty, and healthy meals for breastfeeding moms like you.
Tips for Breastfeeding
As a breastfeeding mom, you need to consume more calories to maintain your energy. The good news is, you don’t necessarily follow a special breastfeeding diet as what’s more important is the amount of milk you create.
Still, it’s an excellent idea to have balanced meals with nutrient-rich food to satisfy your insistent hunger, especially when your baby is going through a growth spurt.
4 Breastfeeding-Friendly Meals
Here are our five breastfeeding-friendly meals that are worthy of meal planning to help you stay happy, healthy, and complete.
Beef, Pineapple, and Broccoli Stir Fry
This classic Asian meal can be easily prepared and cooked at home, and it’s full of nutrients that support you and your baby’s health. For example, beef, a great source of protein and iron, boosts energy, while broccoli is an excellent source of vitamin A and calcium.
Chicken Barley Soup
Who would say no to comfort food, chicken soup? Trust me, this meal is your food companion when the baby cries and feeds continuously.
Chicken is known as one of the best sources of protein. It’s full of vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, vitamin E, omega 3, omega 6, and selenium, which are beneficial for the healthy development of growing babies.
Barley, another great breastfeeding-friendly ingredient, boosts lactation and keeps you hydrated.
Orechiette with Rustic Tomato Sauce
This homely bowl of goodness is great at keeping you feeling full, especially when you have no time to eat later. It’s full of healthy and delicious chickpeas. For vegan and vegetarian moms, chickpeas are a perfect meat alternative.
Protein is essential for you and your baby. So while eating meat is excellent, adding alternatives, such as chickpeas, to your diet is recommended if you’re trying to avoid meat. Chickpeas are also an excellent source of fiber and iron.
Turkey and Bean Burritos
These flavourful burritos, with both turkey and beans, offer a one-two protein punch. Moreover, they also contain avocados, high caloric and excellent brain-boosting fat, which is a must-have when you’re nursing.
Conclusion
A healthy meal plan is always essential, but it’s especially crucial if breastfeeding as it consumes a lot of energy and nutrients. This is why you need foods that supply these essentials, such as calcium, protein, iron, and other vitamins.