Foods for Pregnancy Related Conditions According to Acupuncture
Nutrition According to Chinese Medicine
In addition to nutrition as we understand it from a Western perspective, as acupuncturists, we give our patients dietary advice based on a Traditional Eastern Medical perspective. Two very important things that we look at are the 5 flavors and 4 natures of food.
The flavor of food (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, and salty) can be used to affect different organ systems in the body and the nature of food (cool, cold, warm, and hot) also have a direct effect on the way our bodies function. By modifying preparation, we can make food more suitable for someone’s body type or for a specific condition and with this knowledge the flavors and nature of specific foods can be helpful in treating common issues faced during pregnancy and postpartum.
The nature of food doesn’t necessarily mean the physical temperature of it; for example, potato salad which contains cooked potatoes is more warming than a raw green salad, but not as warming as potato soup. In general, we don’t usually recommend cold and raw foods because it requires more energy to digest, so even if you are eating cool or cold vegetables, they should be at least lightly cooked to improve it’s effect on the body. An acupuncturist can help you fine tune your diet based on your body type or any kind of health issue you might be experiencing.
Here are some foods that help with common issues that arise during pregnancy or postpartum. Foods that are cooked and easily digestible are of particular importance after childbirth.
Foods for Pregnancy Related Conditions
Milk Production
Aduki Beans: Soak 100g of aduki beans for eight hours or overnight. Discard the water and rinse the beans. Cook in fresh water until they soften for about an hour. You can eat them as a side dish or spread them on pita or crackers.
Peanuts: Boil 100g peanuts with one pork foreleg and eat at mealtimes.
Floradix: A vegetarian liquid iron supplement.
Fenugreek Tea: Rinse fenugreek seeds (1 teaspoon per cup you are planning to use). Boil water and add seeds. Steep seeds for at least 3 minutes. The longer they are boiled the more concentrated your tea will become.
Soups and Stews: Add dried ginger.
Constipation & Hemorrhoids
Prunes: Boil 4-5 prunes in the morning and eat with a cup of warm water. This stimulates the intestines. It can be eaten at night as well.
Bananas: One or two bananas at night and first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Honey: For temporary constipation mix two teaspoons of honey in hot water and drink first thing in the morning on an empty somach.
Foods That Encourage Bowel Movement: Peas, cabbage, figs, bran, asparagus, amaranth, fresh greens
Foods That Lubricate the Intestines: Bananas, spinach, honey, prunes, apples, pine nuts, carrots, apricots, sunflower seeds.
Morning Sickness
Brown Sugar & Ginger: For morning sickness boil 6 tablespoons of brown sugar with 7 grams (1.5 teaspoons) of fresh ginger slices. Sip as a warm ginger tea.
Lemon: Some do better with lemonade over ginger drinks. If smells trigger nausea, a trick is to carry lemon peel with you to smell when you’re around something offensive.
Labor & Induction
Dates: In the last 4 weeks of pregnancy, 6 dates per day is recommended for an easier and shorter labor and to help start close to the due date. Dates can be eaten whole or in a smoothie.
Spicy Foods: Although there is not much evidence to support this, some swear that a delicious spicy curry sent them into labor.
Pineapple: The idea is that an enzyme in pineapple, called bromelain, will soften your cervix and lead to labor starting, but it hasn’t been proven.
Congee
A congee is a traditional Chinese porridge made from rice or barley. It is seen as a medicinal food for strengthening digestion, boosting energy, and aiding in recovery from birth, surgery, or illness. Click here for instructions on how to make a rice congee and see below for some suggestions on things to add for additional health benefits.
Sweet glutinous rice cooked with apricots or black dates and a little cinnamon for a sweet warming qi and blood booster.
Fresh shitake mushrooms cooked with a little garlic added to plane rice congee, topped with freshly chopped green onion for a warming savory qi and blood building congee.
Cook slices of chicken and ginger in a rice congee, replacing water with chicken stock. Top with Chopped green onion for a variation of chicken soup.