Best Snacks for New Moms
Breastfeeding and
the physical recovery from labor and delivery can leave you tired and
hungry, so it’s important to top up your energy levels with healthy
snacks throughout the day. The ideas here will encourage a speedy
recovery and improved mood.
All of the snacks suggested for pregnancy are ideal during the postpartum period, and it’s a good idea to stock up your fridge and freezer before your baby is due Try to be sure you are getting some omega 3 oils,
found mainly in fish, nuts, and seeds, in your daily diet; studies have
found that these oils are great for enhancing brain function and
keeping depression at bay Eat plenty of good-quality protein—this
is necessary for your body to produce the neurotransmitter serotonin,
which has a calming effect; slices of lean meat or scrambled eggs make
excellent snacks Make sure snacktime includes plenty of fresh, hydrating drinks—herbal
teas can be iced and mixed with honey and lemon to refresh, while fresh
water is even better; fatigue and anxiety are symptoms of dehydration A little dark chocolate
will give you an energy boost, as well as some iron, without sending
your blood sugar spiraling; chocolate is also associated with increased
serotonin levels in the brain When you are preparing meals,
cut up some extra celery, carrots, peppers, and broccoli, and keep them
in a little fresh water in the fridge—they’re great with hummus or
other dips Throw some fruit and yogurt into the blender to make a smoothie Avoid sugary and refined snacks,
such as chips, cookies, and cakes—they may satisfy you in the short
term, but your blood-sugar levels will soon plummet, leaving you feeling
tired and irritable
Quick Family Food
Time is at a premium when
you have a new baby, so it makes sense to create easy, quick, and
healthy family dishes that will last a couple of days, and can even be
frozen for later meals. Try some of these:
A hearty vegetable soup,
made with a good chicken or vegetable stock, plenty of root vegetables,
a handful of savory herbs, and simmered for a couple of hours, will
provide a great meal served with bread and cheese Place sliced ham, cheese, coriander, and spring onions in a tortilla, fold in half, lightly fry or grill until melted, and serve with a bowl of soup Dig out your slow-cooker—you
can drop in some inexpensive cuts of meat or poultry, lots of root
vegetables, some wine and stock, and leave it to simmer all day Brown some ground beef,
which can be adapted to make Bolognese sauce, chilli con carne,
moussaka, and lasagne; freeze in portion sizes, and defrost when
required to create whichever dish you crave Roast a large chicken and use for sandwiches, curry, soup, or salad Roasted vegetables with a scattering of herbs or cheese will provide a nutritious and easy meal Make it easy: there’s no reason why bacon and eggs can’t be dinner—or try a delicious cheese-and-veggie omelette for a quick anytime meal
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