Tips to Create a Meal Plan for Postpartum Recovery (Guest Post by Mya Summer)

Postpartum recovery is a crucial stage. As new parents, you may think that the laborious period ends after your baby's birth, but this fantasy is not often the case. Usually lasting for six to eight weeks after delivery, the postpartum period requires you to devote utmost care and attention to yourself as your body adjusts.

If not taken seriously, postpartum health can influence your lifetime risk of disease. Medical experts from Maryville University explain how chronic illnesses are on the rise, typically brought about by poor diet choices and lifestyle decisions. These can easily escalate to more serious health complications, especially for new moms. Well Seek note how a postpartum mom’s body may be depleted of the necessary nutrients due to ensuring that her baby’s needs are met. If a new parent doesn’t replace the nutrients with food from a healthy diet they increase their chance of chronic illnesses, infections, and mental health issues like depression.  These will also affect them long after giving birth. More than anything, nutrition is your first line of defense and the key to regaining your strength.

That said, here are some tips to plan your meals for postpartum recovery.

Choose nutrient-rich foods

By now, nutrient-rich foods should already be a staple in your diet, but even more so when you're in recovery period. Because your aim is to heal your body, nutritious foods are great because they also fight off inflammation. Ensure that you're getting a good mix of vegetables, fruits, yogurt, some whole grains, bone broths, healthy fats, and more. Check out our post ‘This is Your Birth’ for a list of pregnancy-friendly food, which you can consult after giving birth.



Eat enough calories

Calorie counting only comes second to making sure you're having a balanced diet. But if you're looking for a safe estimate, most doctors will recommend a daily caloric intake of 1,800 to 2,000 calories a day for postpartum parents. Of course, this can still vary depending on your prior weight and other factors. If you're breast-feeding, health writer Erin Coleman suggests adding an extra 400 to 500 calories a day to maintain your energy levels and keep your milk supply steady. After all, breast-feeding can burn as much as 500 calories.

Consume more protein

Protein is your body's building blocks. Without it, your enzymes, body tissues, and hormones will not be able to function normally. And after sustaining your baby's growth in your womb for months, it's absolutely essential to restore your sources. As a rule of thumb, your goal should be to have at least five servings of protein daily, but be sure to keep it high quality. Stick to foods like red meat, chicken, beans, and eggs.

Always hydrate

Hydration is standard for everyone, but it is important that postpartum parents drink even more water. Instead of capping your glasses at 8, aim to drink at least 10 to 15 glasses of water everyday. This is required not just to quench your thirst, but also to ensure you can produce enough breast milk. Moreover, consuming more fluids can speed up the repair of your regenerating body systems.

Think collagen

Not just an ingredient in your skin care products, collagen is a superfood that helps with the regeneration of tissues. Again, this is essential for healing bodies. Fortunately, you can find collagen in foods like egg whites, oranges, berries, and a variety of nuts. A study by the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology shows how collagen can even help with postpartum hair loss.

Don’t be afraid to take supplements

More than anything, you should be able to get all your required nutrients from food. But if you're struggling to keep up with your body's daily needs, you may want to enlist the help of supplements. Vitamin C, D, and Omega 3 are staples, but it's always best to consult with your doctor or healthcare professionals before trying anything.

Health and financial blogger Mya Summer believes that your diet is what dictates not just your outlook but also your capacity for enjoying life. When she’s not teaching yoga and tai chi at the local gym, she goes on forest hikes with her husband Timothy and their two huskies, Daniel and Vito.

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