Tips for food and snacks in the hospital
Choosing a healthy snack for your labour can be very specific to the individual depending on how your body feels. However, snacks like protein bars, protein balls, fruit, smoothies and even dried fruit are great options to provide some quick energy. Many women feel nauseous during birth so smoothies and coconut water are a great option to stay energised, hydrated, and satiated.
Why you should bring snacks to the hospital
If you’re a planner, this will be perfect for you. Bringing your own snacks to the hospital is a great way to ensure that your energy levels will be supported throughout birth, but also in the first few days postpartum.
If you’re not a planner, it’s never too late to get started!
Your body needs nourishment now more than ever so do not shy away from bringing your own homemade snacks or getting your partner to supply you with nutritious meals pre-made from home.
What snacks should you bring?
Foods during postpartum should be nourishing and packed with nutrients to support breastfeeding and energy. The main goal is to eat nutrient-dense foods that are anti-inflammatory to help promote healing after giving birth.
Unfortunately, mainstream hospital food is rarely high-quality foods that will nourish a postpartum body so bring some of these foods if they’re available to you:
- Bone broth
- Warming and digestible stews and soups
- Colourful fruits and vegetables
- Healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, avocado and fatty fish like salmon or sardines
- Iron-rich protein foods to help you stay strong
- Smoothies packed with nutrients like leafy greens, berries and avocado
- Lots of fluids and fibre to avoid constipation and improve bowel movements
- Collagen rich foods to support tissue repair and promote wound healing – collagen powder can easily be added to smoothies and juices
- Probiotic-rich foods like yoghurt, kefir, kombucha and sauerkraut to maintain a healthy gut and digestion
Right after giving birth, finding a healthy and fatty fish to snack on might not be your highest priority or desire. But it’s very important to re-establish some nutrition and strength.
Have your partner help by finding and supplying the right snacks to give you some much-needed fuel. If they are feeling useless, this can be a great job to task them with.
Overall, choosing the snack that works best for you will leave you feeling replenished and full after the countless hours of work you just endured.
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