During childbirth, mothers experience injuries and bleeding, and the exertion required to deliver the baby leads to significant sweating, resulting in a sudden deficiency of yin blood and depletion of qi. Therefore, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that postpartum women are prone to “excessive deficiency and stasis, with all meridians being empty.” However, the dietary needs of mothers with different constitutions vary!
Mothers with a pinghe tizhì (harmonious constitution) should adopt a moderate approach during the postpartum period, avoiding overeating or undereating, and should not consume excessively cold or hot foods. They should eat more whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, while minimizing greasy and spicy foods. It is essential to maintain good daily habits consistently, ensuring adequate sleep and avoiding sleeping immediately after meals.
Recommended Ingredients
Healthy
Yam and Lentil Porridge
Ingredients: 30g of Shan Yao (Dioscorea opposita), 10g of Bai Bian Dou (White Hyacinth Bean), 50g of Jing Mi (Glutinous Rice), a small amount of sugar.
Preparation: Rinse the glutinous rice, slice the yam, and wash the lentils; place the glutinous rice and lentils in a pot with an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low heat until about 80% cooked. Add the yam slices and sugar, and continue to simmer until fully cooked. This porridge is beneficial for strengthening the spleen and stomach.
Healthy
Spinach and Pig Liver Soup
Ingredients: 100g of spinach, 80g of pig liver.
Blood Nourishing Soup Pack: [3g of Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis), 6g of Mulberry, 6g of Red Dates, 10g of peanuts] with an appropriate amount of sesame oil and 5 slices of old ginger.
Method:
1. Open the blood nourishing soup pack, add 350ml of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the soup pack and reserve the broth;
2. Wash and cut the spinach into sections, rinse the pig liver under running water, drain, and slice into 0.5cm thick pieces;
3. Heat sesame oil in a pot, add old ginger and sauté until the ginger slices are wrinkled and brown but not burnt;
4. Add the pig liver and stir-fry until it changes color, then add the reserved broth and an appropriate amount of water to boil, add spinach, and season with salt before serving.
Healthy
Mushroom and Tofu Soup
Ingredients: Fresh mushrooms, tofu, olive oil, scallions, ginger, water starch, and eggs.
Method:
1. Clean the fresh mushrooms and boil them in water for 2 minutes.
2. Cut the tofu into small cubes and soak in light salt water for 10 minutes.
3. In a pot, add olive oil, sauté scallions and ginger, then add sliced mushrooms and stir-fry.
4. Add an appropriate amount of boiling water, soy sauce, vinegar, and a little sugar.
5. After boiling for 3 minutes, add tofu, pepper, and salt, thicken with water starch, and stir in the egg mixture.
6. Finally, drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with chopped scallions before serving.
Healthy
Chestnut Soup
Ingredients:
Eucommia: 15g, chestnuts: 5 pieces, cashews: 20g, yam: 50g, red dates: 2 pieces, ginger: 2 slices, sesame oil, and salt: a little.
Cooking Method:
1. Soak the chestnuts until soft, shell them; peel and wash the yam, and cut into pieces.
2. Place all ingredients in a pot, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for about 40 minutes on low heat. Add salt and sesame oil for seasoning before serving.
[This article is adapted from the internet. If it involves the rights of the original author, please contact the editor for deletion]
