Image credit: Confinement-meals
Our parents and older generation will tell us that the food we eat during confinement is very important in order to restore our body back to its normal state as we will lose a lot of energy and blood during labour.
Our gastrointestinal function will be affected after childbirth and a proper diet and certain practices should be observed to prevent the mother’s health to worsen in the future.
There are certain types of foods that should be avoided during this period. Let’s take a look!
Avoid ‘cooling’ food
Cooling food is believed to cause your body to weaken further. So, avoid foods like radish, watermelon, pear, persimmon, tangerine, coconut, green bean, Chinese cabbage, water spinach and watercress, should be avoided during confinement.
Limit cold food and drinks
Due to the energy and blood loss during childbirth, your body will be weak and lack nutrition, hence you should try to avoid cold desserts, ice cream and drinks. Try your best to have your meal hot and warm instead of leaving it out for too long. In addition, postpartum mums should avoid any raw food that can upset the stomach.
Avoid spicy food
Spicy food can trigger your bowel system and cause you to have abdominal pain, constipation and bloating. Spicy food should also be avoided if you’re breastfeeding as it can affect your milk and cause baby to have wind.
Avoid food that is difficult to digest
According to Chinese traditions, glutinous rice and flour are starchy and is more difficult to be digested. This may lead to indigestion.
Avoid food with high salt content
High salt content foods such as salted eggs, salted plums, salted vegetables, salted fish, fermented beans and processed food should be avoided as this may lead to water retention and thirst.
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