How to Build a Postpartum Meal Plan on a Budget

 How to Build a Postpartum Meal Plan on a Budget

Five months postpartum here and it’s safe to say that juggling postpartum recovery with scarce cash can be really stressful but don’t get it twisted; it’s possible to eat healthy on a tight budget. An effective postpartum meal plan helps one recover, regain energy and make life easier to manage after birth. Here’s how to plan an economical and healthy diet which is most suitable for your body and your preferences.

Thit brings us to the why a postpartum meal plan matters.

Some nutrients of the woman’s body need replenishment after childbirth, for the production of breast milk and to boost energy. By planning a meal, one is capable of having the most ideal diet for the day avoiding instance meals, snacks, GMO foods, etc.

1. Take a Trip to Stock Up on Basics That Will NOT Break the Bank

Focus on versatile, nutrient-dense ingredients that can be used across multiple meals:

Cereals (oats, brown rice and quinoa)

Canned beans —black beans, chickpeas, lentils.

Frozen vegetables and fruits

Economical sources of proteins include eggs, tofu, chicken thighs, canned tuna.

These foods are cheap, nutrient dense and more resilient than most other classes of foods staple.

2. Batch Cook and Freeze Meals

Organize your meals so that you can cook in advance big portions of food that can be frozen. Examples include:

Soups and stews

Casseroles

Vegetable stir-fries

Protein concentrated muffin or breakfast wrap

Be sure to label your freezer meals and also the date when you prepared them so that when its time to eat you will know which meal to pop into the oven.

3. Emphasize Real-Nutrient, Easy Recipes

One would find that meals do not have to be complicated in order to be cheap or inexpensive. Aim for recipes that combine:

Protein containing food (beans, eggs, chicken, fish, beef, mutton)

Vegetables (frozen or fresh where available in a particular season).

A complex carbohydrate such as; brown rice, sweet potatoes, whole grain bread.

Example: A dense quinoa salad with black beans, vegetables in pieces, and a lemony dressing.

4. Take Advantage of Limited Budget Meal Preparation Equipment

1. Slow cookers: This is ideal for buying cheap cuts of meat or knocking up a big batch of soup.
2. Mason jars: Great for salads and nail oats.
3. Reusable storage containers: Avoid wasting foods and money by storing thumbnails of leftovers.

6. Don’t Forget Hydration

It is very important to rehydrate after a race no matter whether you are a man or a woman because milk production is necessary for breastfeeding. Budget-friendly hydration tips include:

Plain water, some times replaced with water which has been soaked with sliced lemons or cucumbers.

Brewing herbal teas in bulk.

Here is the postpartum simple and cheap meal plan for example:

• Breakfast: Frozen berries and honey for the oats left overnight.
• Lunch: Lentil soup served with a whole grain bread.
• Snack: Carrot sticks with hummus.
• Dinner: Pan seared chicken, caramelized redskin potatoes and oven steamed fresh broccoli.
• Dessert: Sliced banana with spoons of peanut butter and finished with cinnamon powder.

Conclusion

It is actually quite easy and fun to come up with a healthy, tasty and most importantly, inexpensive postpartum meal plan. Eating satisfying, good quality, and cheap meals plan your meals smartly and incorporate more recipes around cheap staple ingredients.

Women and men, cut the postpartum diet today to lose baby weight. For more recipe ideas and other meal planning tips, don’t forget to sign up to our blog for weekly newsletters.