#1. What to Eat on Wednesday: Nutrition for New Mothers
On this blog and elsewhere, there have been a lot of helpful hints about how to make a healthy meal quickly, and even suggestions for vitamin rich recipes that are especially important for new mothers to eat to rebuild their tissues (but not the new fatty ones), restore their energy and help prevent postpartum depression.
The sad truth is, new mothers seldom get to sit down and eat their health meals while they’re still hot. And that is too bad because a warm, cooked meal is so soothing that it can help to control stress.
I recommend serving your own meals on a microwaveable dish so that you can pop it in for a warm up if you’re interrupted at meal times by a crying baby. Keeping a little extra sauce or pan juices on the side can be used to stop your meal from drying out.
The best meal to eat warm may just be breakfast. In particular: oatmeal. Oatmeal contains vitamin K, which helps with blood clotting and healing tissue injuries…which all birthing mothers have probably experienced regardless of how their babies were delivered.
I like mine served with slices of fresh apple, a sprinkling of cinnemon and fruit yogurt is one of my favorites. Studies have shown that cooked oats are healthy for every part of your body (see this Eating Fabulous post if you want some study details).
There is another benefit to oatmeal. While I am no Thrifty Mommy, I appreciate how hard I work for my money. Three minute oats are cheap. To tell you the truth, I cook them in a little under three minutes. First, I pour some boiling water over the raw oats and apple slices. I cover the bowl with a plate and let it steam while I get the yogurt and cinnamon out. Then, I stir in the yogurt, add a bit of cinnamon and microwave it for about 30 seconds. Sometimes, I add a little milk to think the mixture out.
I especially enjoy this breakfast when I wake up before everyone else and the house is completely quiet. It’s a nice way to start the day.
Tags: a-healthy-breakfast, food-for-new-mothers, quick-and-healthy-meals, recover-from-childbirth, recovery-foodRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Nutrition and recipes
7 opinions for #1. What to Eat on Wednesday: Nutrition for New Mothers
Thrifty Karen
Jan 16, 2008 at 8:38 am
Thanks for the link love. The funny thing is, I’m sitting here eating a bowl of oatmeal as I’m reading this. It’s cold here and oatmeal hits the spot.
Maria
Jan 16, 2008 at 8:56 am
Before I had The Boy, I made and froze as much as would fit in our little freezer. Now that he is one and I am working full-time with my husband overseas, I do the same. I cook one day to last many days. We eat the meals all week, but I take some out and freeze it for quick things on really busy weeks. It works well.
I also do this for new-mom friends of mine. I bring them food.
kbaggott
Jan 16, 2008 at 10:07 am
Karen- We must have a psychic friends connection.
Maria- What is your best freezer-dish?
Maria
Jan 17, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Best? Hmm… I really enjoy making and freezing lasagna, but I also make a lot of soups, hotdishes, etc. I’m not really answering the question. LOL!
kbaggott
Jan 17, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Maria- For the working woman, happiness is always having a frozen lasagne ready to go!
katiebird
Jan 22, 2008 at 6:47 am
I love oatmeal, but I’ve never got in the habit. I guess even though I KNOW it doesn’t take much longer to make than cold cereal, it SEEMs like too much effort. Or something. At least before I’ve had my coffee. Maybe the reason why my husband like it (he makes oatmeal every morning) is that HE always has his coffee before he thinks about breakfast.
I think a series on homemade frozen-food dinners would be good & interesting.
maureen
Feb 3, 2008 at 10:03 am
I may not be a new mom but still enjoy and look forward to a few minutes to enjoy breakfast and oatmeal hits the spot
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