Easy Postpartum Recipes

Good nutrition is one of the five pillars of postpartum wellness, and in my opinion, is one of the most important things a new parent can do to increase healing and nourishment after their baby has come Earthside!

Newly postpartum parents will benefit most by ingesting warm, nutrient rich, easily digestible meals. Think of soups, stews, and anything with a lot of healthy fats and protein! I know cooking doesn’t always seem feasible (or enjoyable) with a newborn to take care of, but let me reassure you- it will be WELL worth your time! Making sure you stay hydrated by drinking room temperature or warm water with lemon, or herbal teas can increase the warmth in your body as well. 

A couple things you can do to prepare before baby comes:

1) Cook freezable meals you can just heat up when it’s time for dinner. 

2) Set up a meal train- friends and family love having something to do to help new parents! 

3) Hire a postpartum doula (or chef) that focuses on nutrition and cooking to assist you. 

I highly suggest keeping these six items in your kitchen during the postpartum period:

1. Coconut oil or ghee (Ghee With Benefits is my go-to)

2. Avocados

3. Warming spices such as ginger, cinnamon, saffron, and cumin

4. Rice & quinoa

5. Leafy greens

6. Bone broth (Can get cartons or make your own)

As a bonus, here are two of my favorite recipes that are fairly easy to make and can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. 

1. Chicken, Red Dates & Ginger Soup

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

• 2 lb whole chicken or chicken thighs (free range/organic is best)

• ½ yellow onion (peeled)

• 2 inch knob fresh ginger (unpeeled, halved)

• 3 medium carrots

• 5 chinese red dates (if you can’t find them at your local grocery store, you can get them here: https://www.iherb.com/pr/Organic-Traditions-Dried-Jujube-Fruit-6-oz-170-g/81954

• 3 TBL dried Goji berries

• Sea salt to taste

Directions:

1. Rinse the chicken under cold water, place in a medium stock pot, and add enough water to just cover the chicken

2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, uncovered.

3. Once boiling, add onion & ginger to the pot

4. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 40 minutes. Every so often, remove the lid to skim any foam off the top and discard.

5. Remove from heat, and with the help of tongs, remove the chicken and set it aside to cool

6. Remove cooked meat from the carcass and shred chicken

7. Add 1-2 cups of shredded chicken to pot (save the rest for a later time if desired), along with the carrots & dates

8. Simmer for over low heat, uncovered, for 1 hour. Set a timer for the last 15 minutes and stir in the goji berries. 

9. Season with salt

2) Oats & Chia Congee

Serves 6

Can freeze in muffin sized portions for a quick breakfast or snack*

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 1.5 cups steel cut oats

• 1 inch knob fresh ginger

• Pinch of sea salt

• ¼ cup chia seeds

• ½ cup quinoa

• 1 cup nut milk of your choice

• 2 TBL coconut oil or butter

• ¼ cup maple syrup

• Fresh fruit/berries (optional)

• Chopped nuts (optional)

Directions:

1. In a medium pot, bring 4.5 cups of water to a boil over medium-high heat

2. Add the rolled & steel cut oats, ginger, and salt

3. Reduce heat to medium and let cook ¾ of the way covered for ten minutes

4. Reduce heat to low and simmer for another 15 minutes (add more water if needed)

5. Add chia seeds and quinoa during the last 15 minutes of cooking- stirring occasionally

6. Once the mixture is creamy and most of the liquid is absorbed, remove from heat.

7. Serve warm with the milk, berries, nuts and maple syrup