15 Principles for Building a Postpartum Confinement Diet for Mothers After a Vaginal Delivery

To ensure postpartum mothers have sufficient energy and effective milk production, the following 5 principles for preparing confinement meals should be followed:

• Meals should include all four essential macronutrients: high-protein foods, carbohydrates and sugars, fats, and high-fiber foods.
• Avoid eating only 1-2 dishes for many meals and days. Some families prepare postpartum meals that revolve around braised meat, stewed ham hock, and boiled eggs. This type of diet will negatively impactthe quality of breast milk, potentially leading to newborn constipation, slow weight gain, and other issues.
• Avoid foods that reduce milk production such as bamboo shoots, wild strawberries, canned goods, fermented foods, raw foods, and fast food.
• Always include lactation-boosting foods in the postpartum mother’s daily meals.
• Drink plenty of fluids, including broth and fruit juices, to prevent dehydration, which can lead to insufficient milk supply.
• Postpartum mothers need adequate nutrition to reduce the risk of postpartum complications such as postpartum depression, postpartum exhaustion, postpartum hemorrhage, and postpartum hemorrhoids.

Top 20 Postpartum Meal Ideas: Nutritious Confinement Diets for Mothers After Vaginal Delivery

Below is a compilation of nutritious postpartum meal plans to increase milk production for new mothers:

1. Postpartum Meal – Vitamin A-Rich Meal

Our first suggestion for a postpartum meal is one rich in Vitamin A, including:

• Boiled red beets (carrots): Red beets are rich in vitamin A, which is good for eyesight.
• Papaya and ground meat soup: Promotes milk production and aids digestion.
• Shrimp and pork stir-fry: Provides protein and fat.
• Yogurt and banana: Aids digestion and promotes bowel regularity.

Preparation methods:

Boiled red beets: Peel and wash carrots, boil until tender. Serve with fish sauce or soy sauce.

Papaya and ground meat soup:

• Marinate ground meat with a little chicken bouillon and pepper. Mix well and let stand for about 30 minutes.
• Peel and deseed the papaya, cut into small pieces, and soak in salt water for 15 minutes.
• Sauté onion with a little cooking oil, add ground meat and stir-fry until cooked, then add water. Once boiling, add papaya and cook until tender.
• Season to taste, add green onions and turn off the heat.

Shrimp and pork stir-fry:

• Clean the shrimp, remove the heads and tails.
• Rinse the pork belly with light salt water, then rinse with clean water, drain, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Marinate pork with 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, a little MSG, a little chili powder, a little ground pepper, and 1/2 tablespoon of cooking oil. Mix well and let stand for 10 minutes.
• Sauté onion and garlic with a little cooking oil. Add pork and stir-fry until browned. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
• Add shrimp and stir-fry for about 10 minutes.
• Season to taste and sprinkle with a little more pepper.

Postpartum Meal – Vitamin A Meal

2. Cooling Meal Rich in Protein and Vitamin B

A cooling postpartum meal plan:

• Boiled eggs: Provide protein and vitamin B.
• Shredded pork: Provides protein.
• Boiled radish: Cools the body and provides fiber.
• Winter melon and shrimp soup: Cooling and refreshing.

Preparation methods:

Boiled eggs: Boil eggs until cooked through (7 minutes or more).

Shredded pork:

• Wash pork, cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Boil pork for about 10 minutes, then remove and marinate with fish sauce, sugar, pepper, and minced shallots. Mix well and let stand for 15 minutes.
• Add pork to the pot, add 1 cup of water and 1 cinnamon stick. Simmer for about 15 minutes over medium heat until the water is reduced by half, then turn off the heat.
• Remove pork, shred, then add to a food processor and pulse 2-3 times until lightly shredded.
• Add shredded pork to a pan with a little cooking oil. Stir-fry until browned, then add the remaining pork broth.
• Continue to stir-fry until the shredded pork is evenly browned.

Boiled radish:

• Wash and peel radish, soak in light salt water for 5 minutes, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Boil a pot of water, add some crushed ginger. Then add radish and boil for about 5 minutes.
• When the radish turns opaque white, it’s cooked. Remove the radish.

Winter melon and shrimp soup:

• Clean the shrimp, remove the heads and tails, peel, remove the vein, and then lightly crush.
• Peel and cut the winter melon into bite-sized pieces (remove seeds if old).
• Sauté onion and garlic, add shrimp and stir-fry briefly, then add about 1 liter of water.
• Then add winter melon and cook until tender.
• Season and turn off the heat. Sprinkle with some chopped green onions.

Cooling Postpartum Meal

3. Milk-Boosting Meal – Iron Enhancement

Postpartum meal plan to boost iron, includes:

• Pork and cải (Chinese cabbage) stew: Provides iron and protein.
• Stir-fried zucchini with beef: Provides protein and fiber.
• Ngót (a type of green leafy vegetable) and shrimp soup: Cools and refreshes the body.

Preparation methods:

Pork and cải stew:

• Clean the pork, cut into bite-sized pieces, then marinate with fish sauce, chicken bouillon, pepper, sugar, and minced garlic. Mix well and let stand for 20 minutes.
• Peel and cut the Chinese cabbage into small pieces, soak in light salt water for 5 minutes, then drain.
• Add cooking oil to the pot, heat. Add a little sugar, stir until caramelized, then add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
• Add pork and stir-fry over high heat until browned. Add water or coconut water and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
• Add Chinese cabbage and cook for another 10 minutes. Season to taste.
• Sprinkle with chopped green onions and pepper.

Stir-fried zucchini with beef:

• Wash and cut beef into small pieces.
• Wash and thinly slice zucchini.
• Sauté onion and garlic, add beef and stir-fry quickly, season with fish sauce and chicken bouillon, then remove and set aside.
• Add more onion and garlic, sauté until fragrant, then add zucchini and stir-fry until tender. Add beef back in and stir-fry, seasoning to taste.
• Turn off the heat, sprinkle with green onions and pepper.

Ngót and shrimp soup:

• Clean the shrimp, remove the heads and tails, peel, remove the vein, and then lightly crush.
• Clean ngót leaves, wash, and drain.
• Sauté onion and garlic, add shrimp and stir-fry briefly, then add about 1 liter of water.
• Then add ngót, bring to a boil.
• Season and turn off the heat.

Milk-Boosting Meal – Iron Enhancement

4. Low-Vegetable Meal for Mothers Who Dislike Vegetables

Postpartum meal plan for mothers who don’t like many vegetables includes:

• Stir-fried shrimp: Provides protein.
• Braised tofu: Provides protein and carbohydrates.
• Winter melon and shrimp soup: Cools the body and boosts fiber.
• Pineapple for dessert.

Preparation methods:

Stir-fried shrimp:

• Wash shrimp, remove heads, tails, and the black vein. Marinate for 15 minutes with cooking oil and chicken bouillon.
• Sauté minced garlic and onion, add shrimp and stir-fry. Add a little fish sauce and sugar.
• Simmer over low heat until shrimp is cooked through, season to taste.

Braised tofu:

• Cut previously fried tofu into bite-sized pieces.
• Add cooking oil to a pot, heat, then add soy sauce and bring to a boil for 3 minutes.
• Add tofu and stir gently, season with chicken bouillon, sugar, and MSG to taste.
• Simmer for about 5 minutes over low heat until the sauce thickens.

Winter melon and shrimp soup:

• Clean the shrimp, remove the heads and tails, peel, remove the vein, and then lightly crush.
• Peel and cut the winter melon into bite-sized pieces (remove seeds if old).
• Sauté onion and garlic, add shrimp and stir-fry briefly, then add about 1 liter of water.
• Then add winter melon and cook until tender.
• Season and turn off the heat. Sprinkle with some chopped green onions.

Low-Vegetable Postpartum Meal

5. Cooling and Detoxifying Meal

Postpartum meal plan to cool and detoxify the body, includes:

• Papaya and pig’s trotters soup: Promotes milk production and cools the body.
• Meatballs in tomato sauce: Provides protein and vitamin A.
• Stir-fried bitter melon with beef: Cools and detoxifies.

Preparation methods:

Papaya and pig’s trotters soup:

• Peel and deseed the papaya, cut into bite-sized pieces, and soak in salt water for 15 minutes.
• Wash pig’s trotters and simmer for about 30 minutes.
• Add papaya and cook until tender.
• Season to taste and sprinkle with green onions.

Meatballs in tomato sauce:

• Marinate ground meat for about 10 minutes with chicken bouillon and MSG.
• After 10 minutes, roll into bite-sized meatballs, then fry for about 5 minutes and remove to a plate.
• Add tomatoes to a pan with a little cooking oil, stir-fry briefly, then add a little water and cook until soft, creating a slightly thick sauce. Add chicken bouillon to taste.
• Add meatballs and cook for another 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Turn off the heat and sprinkle with chopped green onions.

Stir-fried bitter melon with beef:

• Rinse beef, thinly slice, and marinate with salt, cornstarch, ground pepper, and oyster sauce.
• Wash bitter melon, remove seeds, thinly slice, and soak in salt water for 30 minutes, then drain. Peel and thinly slice onion.
• Sauté shallots, add beef and stir-fry quickly, season, then remove and set aside.
• Continue to stir-fry bitter melon and onion, season. Add the cooked beef back in, stir-fry, and season to taste.

Cooling and Detoxifying Postpartum Meal

6. Meat-Lover’s Postpartum Meal

Postpartum meal plan for mothers who love meat includes:

• Ngót and pork soup: Provides fiber, cools the body.
• Pork and radish stew: Provides iron and protein.
• Stir-fried pumpkin with beef: Provides fiber and iron.

Preparation methods:

Ngót and pork soup:

• Marinate ground pork with a little fish sauce, chicken bouillon, pepper, and sugar. Let stand for about 10 minutes.
• Clean ngót leaves and wash.
• Sauté onion and garlic, add pork and stir-fry, then add water.
• Once boiling, add ngót and simmer for 1 minute. Season and turn off the heat.

Pork and radish stew:

• Clean the pork, cut into bite-sized pieces, then marinate with fish sauce, chicken bouillon, pepper, sugar, and minced garlic. Mix well and let stand for 20 minutes.
• Peel and cut the radish into small pieces, soak in light salt water for 5 minutes, then drain.
• Add cooking oil to the pot, heat. Add a little sugar, stir until caramelized, then add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
• Add pork and stir-fry over high heat until browned. Add water or coconut water and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
• Add radish and cook for another 10 minutes. Season to taste.
• Sprinkle with chopped green onions and pepper.

Stir-fried pumpkin with beef:

• Wash beef, thinly slice, and marinate for 15 minutes with pepper, chicken bouillon, and cooking oil.
• Wash pumpkin, remove the stringy parts, and lightly bruise the slices. Blanch in boiling water for 2-3 minutes.
• Sauté onion and garlic with a little cooking oil, add pumpkin and stir-fry. Add beef, stir-fry quickly. Season to taste, stir-fry until beef is cooked through but still tender.
• Serve and sprinkle with pepper.

7. Boiled-Food Postpartum Meal

Postpartum meal plan featuring boiled foods with less oil:

• Boiled meat: Provides protein.
• Ngót soup: Provides fiber and aids digestion.
• Boiled eggs: Provides protein and vitamin B.

Preparation methods:

Boiled meat:

• Wash meat with salt water.
• Add meat to a pot, cover with water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 20-30 minutes.

Ngót soup:

• Marinate ground pork with a little fish sauce, chicken bouillon, pepper, and sugar. Let stand for about 10 minutes.
• Clean ngót leaves and wash.
• Sauté onion and garlic, add pork and stir-fry, then add water.
• Once boiling, add ngót and simmer for 1 minute. Season and turn off the heat.

Boiled eggs: Boil eggs until fully cooked (7-10 minutes).

8. High-Protein Postpartum Meal

Postpartum meal plan rich in protein includes:

• Fish sauce braised pork: Provides protein and fat.
• Stir-fried pumpkin with beef: Provides fiber and protein.
• Amaranth and ground meat soup: Aids digestion and cools the body.
• Dragon fruit for dessert: Provides vitamins and minerals.

Preparation methods:

Fish sauce braised pork:

• Clean pork belly, cut into small pieces, blanch, and drain.
• Sauté onion and garlic, remove and set aside.
• Add a little sugar to the oil, stir until caramelized, then add pork and stir-fry. Add fish sauce, chicken bouillon, ground pepper, chili powder, and a little rice wine. Simmer over low heat.
• Add sautéed onion and garlic, simmer until sauce thickens.
• Sprinkle with chopped green onions (optional).

Stir-fried pumpkin with beef:

• Wash beef, thinly slice, and marinate for 15 minutes with pepper, chicken bouillon, and cooking oil.
• Wash pumpkin, remove the stringy parts, and lightly bruise the slices. Blanch in boiling water for 2-3 minutes.
• Sauté onion and garlic with a little cooking oil, add pumpkin and stir-fry. Add beef, stir-fry quickly. Season to taste, stir-fry until beef is cooked through but still tender.
• Serve and sprinkle with pepper.

Amaranth and ground meat soup:

• Marinate ground pork with a little fish sauce, chicken bouillon, pepper, and sugar. Let stand for about 10 minutes.
• Clean amaranth leaves and wash.
• Sauté onion and garlic, add pork and stir-fry, then add water.
• Once boiling, add amaranth and simmer for 1 minute. Season and turn off the heat.

High-Protein Postpartum Meal

9. Postpartum Meal: Ginger Braised Chicken Rice

Postpartum meal plan featuring delicious ginger braised chicken:

• Ginger braised chicken: Provides protein and other minerals.
• Stir-fried green beans: Provides vitamins A, C, K, and fiber.
• Papaya and bone broth soup: Promotes milk production.

Preparation methods:

Ginger braised chicken

• Clean chicken, cut into small pieces, then marinate with minced shallots and ginger, sugar, salt, MSG, chicken bouillon, and pepper. Mix well and let stand for 30 minutes.
• Sauté sliced ginger and minced shallots until fragrant.
• Add chicken and stir-fry until browned.
• Add a little water to just cover the chicken, simmer for 20 minutes over low heat. Then turn off the heat.

Stir-fried green beans:

• Snap off the ends of the green beans, remove the strings, and halve them. Then wash.
• Add minced garlic to the oil and sauté until fragrant, then add green beans and stir-fry.
• Season to taste and stir-fry until the beans turn bright green.

Papaya and bone broth soup:

• Peel and deseed the papaya, cut into bite-sized pieces, and soak in salt water for 15 minutes.
• Wash pork bones and simmer for about 30 minutes.
• Add papaya and cook until tender.
• Season to taste and sprinkle with green onions.

Postpartum Meal: Ginger Braised Chicken Rice

10. Postpartum Meal Plan to Enhance Breast Milk Quality

Postpartum meal plan to enhance breast milk quality includes dishes such as:

• Stir-fried bean sprouts with beef: Provides iron, vitamins B1, B2, E.
• Braised shrimp: Provides protein.
• Papaya and shrimp soup: Promotes milk production.

Preparation methods:

Stir-fried bean sprouts with beef:

• Wash bean sprouts, soak in light salt water for about 5 minutes, then drain.
• Clean beef, thinly slice.
• Sauté onion and garlic, then add beef and stir-fry until cooked through, then remove and set aside.
• Continue to sauté minced garlic and onion, then add bean sprouts and stir-fry, season with MSG and oyster sauce, then add beef and stir-fry.
• Sprinkle with pepper and green onions.

Braised shrimp:

• Wash shrimp, remove heads, tails, and the black vein. Marinate for 15 minutes with cooking oil and chicken bouillon.
• Sauté minced garlic and onion, add shrimp and stir-fry. Add a little fish sauce and sugar.
• Simmer over low heat until shrimp is cooked through, season to taste.

Papaya and shrimp soup:

• Clean the shrimp, remove the heads and tails, peel, remove the vein, and then lightly crush.
• Peel and deseed the papaya, cut into bite-sized pieces, and soak in salt water for 15 minutes.
• Sauté onion and garlic, add shrimp and stir-fry briefly, then add about 1 liter of water.
• Then add papaya and simmer until papaya is tender.
• Season and turn off the heat. Sprinkle with some chopped green onions.

Postpartum Meal Plan to Enhance Breast Milk Quality

11. Postpartum Meal: Easy-to-Eat Dishes for New Mothers

This postpartum menu for mothers who have had a vaginal delivery features easy-to-eat dishes that are still nutritionally complete, including:

• Tofu in Tomato Sauce: Provides protein and vitamin A
• Boiled Water Spinach: Provides fiber, promotes bowel regularity, and prevents constipation
• Light Fish Soup: Cools the body

Preparation Methods:

Tofu in Tomato Sauce:

• Cut tofu into bite-sized pieces
• Sauté chopped scallions in a little cooking oil, then add chopped tomatoes. Stir for 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften and become a thick sauce.
• Reduce heat, add tofu and stir well.
• Add seasonings: 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon MSG, 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon, stir well and simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
• Season to taste, garnish with scallions, and turn off the heat.

Boiled Water Spinach:

• Select the tender parts of the water spinach, wash thoroughly, and soak in salt water for about 10 minutes.
• Bring water to a boil, then add the water spinach and boil until tender.

Light Fish Soup:

• Place the prepped fish in a bowl, marinate with MSG, salt, chicken bouillon, sugar, pepper, mix well, and let stand for 30 minutes.
• Pick the leaves of the water spinach, wash thoroughly.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the fish and cook for about 20 minutes until tender. Add the water spinach and bring to a boil.
• Season to taste and turn off the heat.

12. Postpartum Meal with Plenty of Vegetables for Vegetable Lovers

This postpartum menu for mothers who have had a vaginal delivery is rich in vegetables while still providing sufficient nutrition.

• Stir-fried Squash with Mushrooms: Mushrooms are a vegetable that provides a lot of protein, and squash contains a lot of fiber to support digestion
• Braised Calabash with Pepper: Helps cool the body and provides additional fiber
• Papaya and Bone Broth Soup: Helps increase breast milk production

Preparation Methods:

Stir-fried Squash with Mushrooms:

• Trim the ends of the enoki mushrooms, wash, and soak in diluted salt water for about 15 minutes.
• Wash the squash, peel, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Wash the shiitake mushrooms and chop finely.
• Sauté minced garlic and onions in a little cooking oil, add squash and shiitake mushrooms and stir-fry quickly, then add water. Simmer for about 5 minutes, then add enoki mushrooms and stir-fry until tender.
• Season to taste, sprinkle with scallions and cilantro.

Braised Calabash with Pepper:

• Wash the calabash, cut into bite-sized pieces, rinse again with water, and drain.
• Marinate the calabash with seasonings for 15 minutes, including: pepper, MSG, chicken bouillon, sugar, shallots, scallions.
• Heat a pot, add a little cooking oil and a little sugar, stir constantly until the sugar turns brown, then add minced garlic and onions and sauté until fragrant.
• Add the calabash and stir well, simmer for about 3 minutes, then add water and simmer for another 10 minutes.
• When the sauce has thickened and the calabash is tender, season to taste and turn off the heat.

Papaya and Bone Broth Soup:

• Peel the papaya, remove the seeds, cut into bite-sized pieces, and soak in salt water for 15 minutes.
• Wash the pork bones thoroughly and simmer for about 30 minutes.
• Add the papaya and cook until tender.
• Season to taste and sprinkle with scallions.

Postpartum Meals – Vegetable-Rich Meal

13. Balanced Nutrition Postpartum Menu

This postpartum menu for mothers who have had a vaginal delivery offers a balanced nutritional approach and includes:

• Boiled Water Spinach: Adds fiber and supports the digestive system
• Water Spinach Soup: Cools the body
• Meatballs: Provides protein and vitamin A
• Braised Ham Hock with Papaya: Promotes lactation and supports breast milk production

Preparation Methods:

Boiled Water Spinach:

• Select the tender parts of the water spinach, wash thoroughly, and soak in salt water for about 10 minutes.
• Bring water to a boil, then add the water spinach and boil until tender.

Water Spinach Soup:

• Marinate minced meat with a little fish sauce, chicken bouillon, pepper, and sugar. Let stand for about 10 minutes.
• Pick the leaves of the water spinach, wash thoroughly.
• Sauté minced garlic and onions, add the meat and stir well, then add water.
• When the water boils, add the water spinach and cook for another minute. Season to taste and turn off the heat.

Meatballs:

• Wash the shrimp, remove the heads, tails, shells, devein, and cut into small pieces.
• Marinate the ground pork with shrimp, chopped onions, minced garlic, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a little ground pepper. Mix well and let stand for 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes, roll into balls and steam for another 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, peel the tomatoes, and puree using a blender.
• Sauté minced garlic and onions in cooking oil, then add the pureed tomatoes and season to taste.
• Finally, add the steamed meatballs to the tomatoes. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
• Season to taste, sprinkle with scallions, and serve.

Braised Ham Hock with Papaya:

• Peel the papaya, remove the seeds, cut into bite-sized pieces, and soak in salt water for 15 minutes.
• Wash the ham hock thoroughly and simmer for about 30 minutes.
• Add the papaya and cook until tender.
• Season to taste and sprinkle with scallions.

14. Postpartum Menu for Blood Replenishment and Lactation

These dishes in the postpartum meal for new mothers help replenish blood and increase breast milk production, including:

• Pumpkin Soup: Provides protein and vitamin A, replenishes blood
• Boiled Vegetables: Adds fiber
• Spring Rolls: Provides protein

Preparation Methods:

Pumpkin Soup:

• Peel the pumpkin, remove the seeds, cut into bite-sized pieces, and soak in salt water for 15 minutes.
• Wash the pork bones thoroughly and simmer for about 30 minutes.
• Add the pumpkin and simmer until very tender.
• Season to taste and sprinkle with scallions.

Boiled Vegetables:

• Cut cabbage into bite-sized pieces, wash thoroughly, and soak in salt water for about 10 minutes.
• Bring water to a boil, then add the vegetables and boil until tender.

Spring Rolls:

• Wash and julienne carrots and taro, soak wood ear mushrooms in water until softened, then wash and cut into strips, finely chop scallions, and soak vermicelli noodles in water until softened, then cut into pieces.
• Combine all the above ingredients in a bowl, mix well with ground pork, add chicken bouillon, and pepper.
• Place the filling in the center of the rice paper wrapper and roll tightly.
• Heat plenty of oil in a pan. When the oil is hot, add the spring rolls and fry until golden brown.

15. Postpartum Menu for Mothers Who Enjoy Fried and Stir-fried Dishes

Postpartum menu for mothers who prefer fried and stir-fried dishes, but still nutritionally complete:

• Boiled Water Spinach: Provides fiber and promotes bowel regularity
• Winter Melon and Pork Rib Soup: Cools the body
• Braised Fish: Provides protein and lipids
• Spring Rolls: Adds vitamin A and starch
• Braised Pork with Radish: Provides protein

Preparation Methods

Boiled Water Spinach:

• Cut bok choy into pieces, wash thoroughly, and soak in salt water for about 10 minutes.
• Bring water to a boil, then add the vegetables and boil until tender.

Winter Melon and Pork Rib Soup:

• Peel the winter melon, remove the seeds, cut into bite-sized pieces, and soak in salt water for 15 minutes.
• Wash the pork ribs thoroughly and simmer for about 30 minutes.
• Add the winter melon and cook until tender.
• Season to taste and sprinkle with scallions.

Braised Fish:

• After cleaning the snakehead fish, cut it into pieces and place it in a bowl. Marinate with: 3 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon MSG, 1 tablespoon salt, 2 tablespoons ground pepper, 1 tablespoon cooking oil, mix well and marinate for 30 minutes.
• Add a little cooking oil and sugar to a pot and cook until the sugar turns a dark brown color. Add the fish and stir for about 3 minutes until the fish firms up.
• Add enough water to cover the fish and bring to a boil over high heat. Then, reduce the heat and simmer for another 20-30 minutes until the liquid is almost gone.

Spring Rolls:

• Wash and julienne carrots and taro, soak wood ear mushrooms in water until softened, then wash and cut into strips, finely chop scallions, and soak vermicelli noodles in water until softened, then cut into pieces.
• Combine all the above ingredients in a bowl, mix well with ground pork, add chicken bouillon, and pepper.
• Place the filling in the center of the rice paper wrapper and roll tightly.
• Heat plenty of oil in a pan. When the oil is hot, add the spring rolls and fry until golden brown.

Braised Pork with Radish:

• Clean the pork, cut into bite-sized pieces, and marinate with fish sauce, chicken bouillon, pepper, sugar, and minced garlic. Mix well and let stand for 20 minutes.
• Peel the white radish, cut into small pieces, soak in diluted salt water for 5 minutes, and then drain.
• Add cooking oil to a pot and heat. Add a little sugar and stir until the sugar turns a dark brown color, then add minced garlic and onions and sauté until fragrant.
• Add the pork and stir well over high heat. When the pork firms up, add a little water or coconut water and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
• Add the radish and simmer for another 10 minutes. Season to taste.

16. Postpartum Menu Featuring Meat and Fish

A postpartum meal for new mothers with meat and fish as the main components:

• Mackerel Fried in Fish Sauce: Mackerel is nutrient-rich, providing protein and beneficial fats
• Grilled Pork Chops: Provides vitamin B
• Taro and Snakehead Fish Soup: A light dish that helps cool the body
• Boiled Water Spinach: Adds fiber and promotes bowel regularity

Preparation Methods:

Mackerel Fried in Fish Sauce:

• After cleaning the mackerel, marinate for 15-20 minutes with: salt, ground pepper, and fish sauce.
• Add 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour to the fish, coating both sides evenly. Then deep-fry. Remove when golden brown and set aside.
• Prepare a mixture of 2 tablespoons water, 2 tablespoons fish sauce, and 1 tablespoon sugar, stirring well.
• Puree 1/2 bird’s eye chili, 2 cloves garlic, 1 shallot, and 5g ginger, then sauté in cooking oil until fragrant.
• Add the prepared fish sauce mixture, about 50ml water, and bring to a boil until thickened. Turn off the heat and add 1/2 tablespoon lime juice.
• Add the fried fish and stir for 1-2 minutes until the flavors blend.

Grilled Pork Chops:

• Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons minced lemongrass, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon five-spice powder, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon, 1 teaspoon MSG, a little pepper, and minced shallots.
• Marinate the pork chops with sesame oil and a little sweetened condensed milk for about 15 minutes, then add the marinade mixture, mix well, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Light charcoal and preheat the grill. Brush the grill with oil, place the meat on and grill until evenly cooked on both sides.

Taro and Snakehead Fish Soup:

• Place the minced meat and prepped fish in a bowl, marinate with MSG, salt, chicken bouillon, sugar, pepper, mix well, and let stand for 30 minutes.
• Wash the taro, peel, and use a spoon to scoop out the taro.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the meat and cook for about 3 minutes. Add the fish and taro and cook until the fish is cooked and the taro is tender.
• Season to taste, turn off the heat, and sprinkle with scallions and cilantro.

Postpartum Meals – Meat and Fish Meal

17. Postpartum Menu Featuring Bitter Melon

Postpartum menu for mothers who prefer bitter melon (a cooling vegetable):

• Fried Eggs with Straw Mushrooms: Adds vitamin B and protein
• Garlic Stir-fried String Beans: Provides fiber and promotes bowel regularity
• Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup: Adds vitamins and protein

Preparation Methods:

Fried Eggs with Straw Mushrooms:

• Wash the straw mushrooms, cut in half, and soak in salt water for about 15 minutes.
• Crack eggs into a bowl, add chicken bouillon, pepper, and chopped scallions, and whisk well.
• Sauté minced garlic and onions in a little cooking oil, add the mushrooms and stir-fry until tender, then set aside.
• In a separate pan, add cooking oil and heat. Pour in the eggs and spread evenly.
• When the eggs start to set, add the straw mushrooms and fry until golden brown on both sides.

Garlic Stir-fried String Beans:

• Trim the ends of the string beans, remove the strings from both sides, and snap in half. Then wash thoroughly.
• Add minced garlic to a pan with hot oil and sauté until fragrant, then add the string beans and stir-fry.
• Season to taste and stir-fry until the beans turn bright green.

Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup:

• Wash the bitter melon, cut in half, remove the seeds, and soak in salt water for 10-15 minutes.
• Mix ground pork with wood ear mushrooms, minced shallots, minced garlic, 1 duck egg, chicken bouillon, pepper, and sugar. Let stand for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
• Spoon an appropriate amount of filling into each half of the bitter melon, pressing gently to pack it down.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil, add a little salt. When the water boils, add the bitter melon and cook for about 20 minutes. Season to taste, turn off the heat, sprinkle with scallions and pepper.

18. Postpartum Menu for Mothers Who Enjoy Western Cuisine

If you want a change of pace but still want to ensure adequate nutrition, new mothers can refer to this all-Western postpartum meal:

• Grilled Ribs: Provides protein
• Roasted Carrots and Potatoes: Provides starch and vitamin A
• Baked Salmon with Sauce: Provides fat and protein
• Salad: Adds fiber and is good for digestion

Preparation Methods:

Grilled Ribs:

• Prepare the ribs, cutting them into individual sections.
• Prepare the rib marinade: In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon minced shallots, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, chicken bouillon, cooking oil, honey, soy sauce, and chili sauce, and mix well.
• Marinate the ribs in the above sauce for 30 minutes.
• Place the ribs on a grill rack and bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 200°C (400°F).

Roasted Carrots and Potatoes:

• Wash the carrots and potatoes, peel, and cut into large bite-sized pieces.
• Place everything in a baking dish, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, a little salt and pepper, and mix well. Add rosemary or cilantro.
• Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes at 200°C (400°F).

Baked Salmon with Sauce:

• Use salmon fillets, wash, drain, and marinate with a little salt and pepper for 15 minutes.
• Add a little cooking oil to a pan and lightly pan-fry the salmon.
• Then, place the salmon in a baking dish and bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 200°C (400°F).

19. Unique Postpartum Menu for New Mothers

Suggestions for a unique and varied postpartum meal plan providing complete nutrition for new mothers:

• Corn and Ham Hock Soup with Mushrooms: Provides plenty of protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and various B vitamins and vitamin A…
• Braised Snakehead Fish: Provides calcium, vitamin B12…
• Stir-fried String Beans and Boiled Vegetables: Provides fiber, good for digestion

Preparation Methods:

Corn and Ham Hock Soup with Mushrooms:

• Wash the ham hock several times and pat dry. You can have the butcher chop it into smaller pieces when you buy it.
• Place the ham hock in a pot of cold water, add 1 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil. Remove the ham hock and rinse with cold water. (Or: Briefly blanch the ham hock in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, or soak the washed ham hock in brine for 25-30 minutes, then rinse).
• Peel the corn, remove the silks, wash, and cut into pieces.
• Rinse the mushrooms under salt water.
• Wash the scallions and cilantro and pat dry. Mince the white part of the scallions with ½ teaspoon of pepper. Chop the green parts of the scallions and cilantro.
• Place the ham hock in a pot, cover with water, and simmer for 30-35 minutes.
• Add the corn and mushrooms, season with 1 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon, 2 tablespoons sugar, ½ tablespoon chicken bouillon, and simmer for another 15-20 minutes.

Braised Snakehead Fish:

• Wash the scallions and cut the white parts into 3-4cm pieces and chop the green parts.
• Clean the snakehead fish, remove the guts and blood, and cut into bite-sized pieces (not too thin). Rub the fish with ash or flour, then scrub with lemon and ginger to remove the fishy smell.
• Place the fish in a bowl, marinate with 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 2 teaspoons MSG, 2 teaspoons pepper, 1 teaspoon Korean chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, scallions, and garlic. Marinate for 15 minutes.
• Place an earthenware pot on the stove, add sesame oil and 3 tablespoons rock sugar, and cook until it melts and turns a dark brown color.
• Sauté garlic and onions until fragrant, add 1 tablespoon chili sauce.
• Add the fish to the pot, add enough coconut water to almost cover the fish, add 2 tablespoons fish sauce, the white parts of the scallions and chili. Simmer over low heat, uncovered, for about 1 hour.

Stir-fried String Beans and Boiled Vegetables:

• Add 2 tablespoons cooking oil to a hot pan, stir-fry the beef for 2 minutes over high heat, then set aside.
• Add 2 tablespoons cooking oil to the same pan, sauté ½ of the remaining minced garlic (30 seconds, high heat).
• Add the blanched string beans and stir-fry with ½ tablespoon MSG, ½ tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, and 3 tablespoons water. Stir-fry for 3 minutes (high heat), cover to allow the beans to cook quickly.

Boiled Vegetables: Wash the vegetables thoroughly and soak in salt water for about 10 minutes. Bring water to a boil, then add the vegetables and boil until tender.

20. Light Postpartum Menu for Mothers Who Have Had a Vaginal Delivery

A light and simple postpartum meal plan for mothers who have had a vaginal delivery, providing sufficient nutrition

• Boiled Winter Melon: Provides fiber.
• Stir-fried Chicken Gizzards with Squash: Protein, B vitamins, Vitamin C, Iron, Zinc, Selenium, Potassium, Fiber.
• Beef Rolls in Wild Betel Leaves: Protein, Iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Fiber, Fat, Zinc, Magnesium.

Preparation Methods:

Boiled Winter Melon: Peel the winter melon, bring water to a boil, and boil until the winter melon turns opaque white.

Stir-fried Chicken Gizzards with Squash:

• Wash the chicken gizzards, cut into bite-sized pieces (you can blanch them briefly).
• Wash the squash, peel, remove the seeds, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Mince the shallots, garlic, and chili.
• Sauté minced shallots and garlic in hot oil.
• Add the chicken gizzards and stir-fry until firm, season with sugar, salt, and chicken bouillon.
• Stir-fry the chicken gizzards until slightly cooked, add chili (if using).
• Add the squash and stir-fry with the chicken gizzards until the squash is tender.

Beef Rolls in Wild Betel Leaves:

• Prepare the beef: Wash the beef, slice thinly, and marinate with seasonings (fish sauce, pepper, sugar, minced garlic, minced shallots).
• Prepare the wild betel leaves: Wash the wild betel leaves and pat dry.
• Lay out a wild betel leaf, place the marinated beef on top.
• Roll up the beef, using toothpicks to secure.
• Heat a pan, add cooking oil, and sauté garlic and onions.
• Add the beef rolls and pan-fry or deep-fry until golden brown on all sides.
• Season to taste.

The above are suggestions for delicious postpartum meals for new mothers. These postpartum menus for mothers who have had a vaginal delivery ensure sufficient nutrition while being diverse and easy to eat. We wish all new mothers well in their recovery and hope they are able to produce enough breast milk for their babies!