• Embrace these foods

    • Soups, stews, broths, stewed fruits
    • Warm cooked grains
    • Chicken, slow-cooked lamb, beef/bison
    • Warm milk, soft goat cheese, unsweetened whole milk yogurt, hard cheese (moderation)
    • Fish, oily fish, sardines, mackerel, herring
    • Avocados, coconut, olives, (whole foods or oils)
    • Seed & nut oils (sesame, hemp)
    • Fat stirred into everything! — grass-fed butter, ghee, coconut oil, coconut milk
    • Warming ginger, cinnamon, cumin, trumeric
    • Herbal teas and infusions
    • Kombuchas and other naturally fermented non-alcoholic drinks (Ou, First Forty Days)
  • Minimize these foods

    • Salads, raw vegetables
    • Crunchy crackers, chips
    • Heavy meat, like steaks, organ meats
    • Ice cream, sorbet, gelato
    • Sweetened skim yogurt, sweetened kefir
    • Processed and refined cooking oils (canola, sunflower)
    • Strong caffeine, coffee
    • Wine and beer (moderation), avoid liquor

Reishi mushrooms – May support immune function, help the body adapt to stress (adaptogen), promote rest and recovery, and support mood stabilization during hormonal shifts.

Cremini mushrooms – Provide B vitamins for energy production, selenium for immune support, and antioxidants to help with tissue repair.

Button mushrooms – Offer vitamin D (if exposed to UV), B vitamins, and immune-supportive compounds that assist recovery and fatigue.

Kombu (seaweed) – Rich in iodine to support thyroid function (important postpartum for hormone balance and energy), plus minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Carrots – High in beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor) for tissue repair, immune support, and skin healing; also gentle on digestion.

Leeks – Provide prebiotic fiber to support gut health, which is important after antibiotics, stress, or hospital birth.

Onions – Contain quercetin and sulfur compounds that support immune health, reduce inflammation, and aid detoxification.

Fresh turmeric – Potent anti-inflammatory; may reduce postpartum swelling, support uterine recovery, and assist overall healing.

Cabbage – Rich in vitamin C and K for tissue repair and blood clotting; cabbage leaves are also traditionally used to relieve breast engorgement.

Tomatoes – Provide vitamin C and lycopene (antioxidant) to support healing and reduce oxidative stress.

Sausage (high-quality, iron-rich) – Provides protein for tissue repair and iron to replenish blood loss from delivery.

Couscous – Easy-to-digest carbohydrate for quick energy during early postpartum fatigue.

Red potatoes – Provide potassium for fluid balance, vitamin C for healing, and complex carbohydrates for sustained energy.

Chard – Rich in magnesium (supports muscle relaxation and mood), iron (replenishes blood), and vitamin K (supports clotting).

Celery – Hydrating and mineral-rich; may support fluid balance and gentle digestion.

Beans – Excellent source of plant-based iron, protein, and fiber; support blood replenishment and stable energy.

Whole-wheat pasta – Complex carbohydrates for sustained energy; provides B vitamins for nervous system support.

Spinach – High in iron, folate, magnesium, and vitamin C; supports blood rebuilding and energy restoration.

Mushrooms (general) – Contain immune-supportive beta-glucans, B vitamins for energy, and antioxidants for recovery.

Cashews – Provide healthy fats, magnesium for stress reduction, zinc for immune support, and protein for tissue repair.

Millet – Gluten-free whole grain that is easy to digest; provides iron, B vitamins, and steady energy.

Coconut milk – Contains healthy fats for calorie replenishment (important for breastfeeding), supports satiety and hormone production.

Ginger – Supports digestion, reduces nausea and inflammation, improves circulation, and is traditionally used to support postpartum recovery.