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  WHAT IS CONFINEMENT FOOD?

  Aug 15, 2022

  Whole grains such as brown rice, oats and quinoa are packed with minerals, fibre and antioxidants.

   

  The confinement period is the time for new mothers to recover their body after the birthing process. It is a period to recuperate their health and nurse their newborn babies. It is therefore crucial that they rest well and consume the right food to nourish their body and that of their newborn babies’.

   

  Traditionally, new mothers are encouraged to consume warm or “heaty” food for better healing, expel “wind” and balance their internal energy (qi). As such, most Chinese confinement food contains a lot of ginger, wine, herbs, and sesame oil. Listed below are some of the common confinement foods that you may want to consider to be included as part of your confinement menu.

   

   

  Healthy carbs and grains

   

  Whole grains such as brown rice, oats and quinoa are packed with minerals, fibre and antioxidants.

   

  Choose healthy carbs and grains to provide the energy needed during confinement period. Whole grains such as brown rice, oats and quinoa are packed with minerals, fibre, and antioxidants. These nutrients are crucial to provide you with energy, and at the same time help to combat constipation. These can be served with all the dishes and soup mentioned in this article.

   

  Whole grains such as brown rice, oats and quinoa are packed with minerals, fibre and antioxidants.

   

   

  Protein

   

  Salmon is also a good source of protein, and can be steamed, baked or fried to your preferred tastebuds.

   

  New mothers need to consume protein in order to repair and build tissues which may have been torn during the birthing process. Red meat are important since they are high in iron and protein. These nutrients are key to help replenish blood loss. Lean pork and lean beef are great sources of red meat that you can consume during your confinement period.

   

  White meat such as poultry and fish are also recommended to be consumed. Salmon, besides being a good source of protein is also known to help prevent postpartum depression. It can be steamed, baked, or fried according to your preferred tastebuds.

   

  For Chinese traditions, pork liver is a popular confinement dish as a source of iron and vitamin A. Other common dishes include pork trotters cooked with ginger and vinegar, chicken cooked in sesame oil, double boiled chicken essence, Chinese rice wine and Bénédictine D.O.M.

   

   

  Soup

   

  A traditional tonic soup brewed from various herbs.

   

  It is believed that traditional tonic soup brewed from various herbs can assist women in replenishing their blood and aid healing. Some of the popular herbs used includes Chinese Angelika Root (当归), Chinese wolfberry (枸杞), Astragalus Root (黄芪), Codonopsis Pilosula Root (党参), red dates and black fungus. These herbs are normally boiled with chicken or pork.

   

  Fish soup boiled with papaya is believed to help boost milk supply.

   

  Meanwhile, fish soup boiled with papaya is believed to help boost milk supply for breastfeeding mothers.

   

  Double boiled chicken dish.

   

  Some of the popular herbs used in brewing traditional tonic soup includes red dates and wolfberry.

   

   

  Water

   

  Drink warm water to keep hydrated.

   

  While some may recommend that plain water be avoided during the confinement period to minimise water retention, we would suggest that warm water be consumed. It is important for new mothers to stay hydrated throughout confinement especially when they are breastfeeding.

   

  Another must-have liquid for new mothers is a free flow of red dates tea brewed with Chinese wolfberry and dried longan, which can be drank regularly throughout the day to help boost vitality and healing. Other options include milk, ginger tea, longan tea, ginseng tea, fenugreek tea and Chinese rice wine.

   

   

  Leafy Greens

   

  Spinach, kailan and broccoli are known to replenish blood and aid digestion.

   

  Let us not forget the green leafy vegetables which are great sources of iron, fibre and vitamins. Spinach, kailan and broccoli are known to replenish blood and aid digestion. Vegetables, of course, generally help with food digestion and reduce constipation.

   

  Spinach, kailan and broccoli are known to replenish blood and aid digestion.

   

  It is of paramount importance that you as a new mother, maintains a balance diet piled with the right nutrients to restore your body. Indirectly, these nutrients will also be channelled to your newborn baby during breastfeeding. It is believed that that healthy food consumed during confinement period will ensure a woman’s good health in the future. After all, it is undeniable that you are what you eat!

   

  Spinach, kailan and broccoli are known to replenish blood and aid digestion.

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