Postpartum Cooking
The postpartum time should be defined by rest and nourishment. One of the beautiful ways we can support our clients during this special time is through cooking nourishing meals.
Enjoy healthy meals that are packed with nutrients supporting post-birth recovery and boosting of milk production if choosing to breastfeed.
If you value home cooked meals, lovingly made with key ingredients that support well rounded nourishment, postpartum healing, recovery and lactation, consider booking daytime postpartum visits with a doula who specializes in meal prep.
“Maria and I spent many hours together as she prepared nutritious meals for me in my apartment, since that was something I didn’t have time to do myself. Ahead of each visit, Maria provided ample suggestions for healthy meals and snacks to prepare for me and picked up the necessary ingredients on her way over. Her food was delicious and well beyond my skills in the kitchen, so it was a real treat! Some included: meatballs, salmon, salads, overnight oats, veggies, lentil soup and carrot soup, and more! We spent hours chatting while she prepared food, and while I had my baby contact napping on me or breastfeeding. The early weeks postpartum can be stressful and lonely so I always looked forward to her visits. When she wasn’t cooking, she was eager to help with my baby - playing with her and soothing her while I rested, helped with naptime, and offered suggestions around things like baby wearing, effective burping strategies, breastfeeding, and more. Maria is a fantastic doula with a great personality and so much love, energy, knowledge, and skills to share! I wish I could have my fridge stocked with her freshly made meals all the time!”
NYC Birth Village Menu
As you transition into this new beautiful stage of life, let us nourish you as you nourish your baby.
All around the world there is a rich culture of postpartum practices, very much focused on rest for the birthing parent and providing specific foods rich in healing nutrients. All of these cultures have a few common principles around food: soft foods that are easy to eat, loaded with protein, minerals, collagen, and spices, all promoting a strong recovery and boosting the milk supply. Many of these meals are soups and stews, simmering slowly over a long period of time, as flavors develop and nutrients are enriching the food, ready to be absorbed easily in a healing warm bowl.
Below are some of our families’ favorites!
Squash and Red Lentil Soup
A beautiful puree soup of squash and red lentils, mixed with cumin and curry, spices that improve blood circulation and support milk production.
Ingredients:
Sesame oil, onion, squash, cumin, curry, broth, red lentils, soy sauce, optional nutritional yeast
Root Vegetables, Greens and Quinoa Soup
Loaded with root vegetables, spinach and chard, and with added protein from quinoa, this soup is nourishing and healing. An easy and delicious way to absorb a lot of iron from the greens, so much needed during pregnancy and in the post-birth recovery process.
Ingredients:
Olive oil, onion, parsnips, turnips, potato, broth, spinach, Swiss chard, quinoa
Chicken Soup with Shiitake Mushrooms
This soup is packed with nutrition! During the slow simmering process the broth absorbs the great nutrients of chicken meat and bones, shiitake mushrooms, as well as the aromatics of onion, garlic, ginger, lemon, and chili. A warm comfort food with immune boosting properties.
Ingredients:
Chicken thighs and drumsticks, broth, onion, garlic, chili, ginger, shiitake mushrooms, lemon juice, optional goji berries
Chili with beans, meat and vegetables
Chili is always a favorite meal, as it packs so much protein from the meat and the beans, and it’s delicious on its own with a crusty bread, or over rice, and of course you can add all your favorite toppings.
Ingredients:
Olive oil, onion, garlic, ground meat of choice, tomato sauce, sweet potatoes, corn, beans, spices
Chicken or Sausage Stew with Vegetables and Grains
This is a hearty stew, a complete meal packed with proteins, vegetables and grains. Choose your meat, your grain of choice and your favorite greens!
Ingredients:
Olive oil, onion, chicken or sausage, loads of vegetables, broth, greens, grains
Stewed Chicken or Pork with Dried Apricots and Prunes
This dish is not only delicious but has great digestive properties! It supplies protein from the meat, the great fiber of dried fruits, and the anti-inflammatory properties of the spices. Goes great with rice or couscous, for a complete meal!
Ingredients:
Olive oil, chicken or pork, onion, garlic, turmeric, cumin, broth, dried apricots, prunes
Ginger Fried Rice
The richness of bacon coupled with the crispy rice and the aromatics of ginger and garlic make this an amazing dish. This is a favorite for our families!
Ingredients:
Rice, sesame oil, bacon, garlic, ginger, eggs, scallions
Frittata
This delicious dish can act as a meal or a snack, and it provides protein, fats, as well as lots of vegetables and greens. We add in your favorite vegetables!
Ingredients:
Eggs, milk, cheese, and lots of vegetables, such as onions, peppers, broccoli, spinach
White Beans, Tomato and Lamb Pasta
This is a rich pasta dish, that provides plenty of protein from the meat and the beans, comforting carbs from the pasta and all in all it’s a delicious meal for the whole family.
Ingredients:
Olive oil, onion, garlic, ground lamb, tomatoes, cannellini beans, feta cheese, oregano, basil, pasta of choice
Energy Bites
A great snack full of nutrients that stays at room temperature for days. Busy moms who spend many hours of the day and night breastfeeding can easily forget about their own needs. Sometimes it is a lifesaver to have these snacks on your breastfeeding station!
Ingredients:
Oatmeal, flax meal, coconut flakes, peanut butter, honey, vanilla essence, chocolate chips
