Many expecting mothers have to go through C-section surgery because of certain complications before and after labor. Whatever may the reasons be, recovery from C-section surgery does take some time, this is why every new mom after cesarean birth needs special care, attention, and a controlled diet.
Indian Diet Chart after C Section Delivery
Diet after delivery and particularly if the delivery is cesarean is very crucial, as it not only needs to breastfeed her newborn baby but also needs to recover fast. Apart from providing good nutrition to the baby, the mother needs assistance in healing her body. Moreover, a good Indian diet chart after C-section surgery is critical for better digestion, along with easy bowel movements that do not strain the mother’s abdomen.
So, what should be a mother’s diet chart after the C section?
A diet chart after C-section surgery is not the same as you may have enjoyed otherwise. An after cesarean diet chart should have the following components:
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals aid in faster healing of the mother and at the same time also ensures that the baby is getting all the valuable nutrients through breast milk. Vitamins help in tissue repairs and assist in collagen production for building new tissues, ligaments, and skin.
Whole Grains
A mother after delivery requires high amounts of energy to help maintain their energy levels and produce breast milk. Whole grains contain carbohydrates that help maintain higher energy levels. Moreover, whole grains are rich sources of iron, fibers, and folic acid – all important for the overall development of the baby.
Proteins and Calcium
Proteins are the building blocks of our body. It helps in the growth of new tissue cells and fasters the healing process. Proteins also aid in tissue repair and maintain muscle power after the surgery. On the other hand, calcium is vital for the development of bones and teeth. It aids in muscle relaxation, prevents osteoporosis, and relaxes our muscles.
Fibers
Fiber is good against constipation, which can delay your healing process by exerting pressure on your wounds and cuts.
Iron
Iron is necessary to maintain hemoglobin levels of the body and also to regain the blood lost during the delivery and surgery. Iron is also vital for the immune system Avoid excessive consumption of iron, as it may lead to constipation.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits like Blueberry provide the breastfeeding mother with valuable antioxidants and citrus fruits with vitamin C. Green veggies are especially better as these are loaded with the goodness of iron, calcium, and many vitamins.
Dairy
Low-fat dairy and dairy products provide a lactating mother with all valuable proteins, calcium, and vitamin B and D.
Indian Spices
Indian foods have always been known for their healing powers and for fulfilling nutritional requirements for a mother who is recovering after a C-section. Some of the most popular Indian spices that aid is speedy recovery and also aid in milk production are:
- Jeera: Aids in digestion and milk production.
- Ajwain: Is beneficial for the digestive system. It helps regulate the baby’s motion and digestion.
- Hing: Helps in better digestion and ease out flatulence/gas faced by most mothers post-delivery.
- Fluids: Drinking plenty of water and fluids can help in keeping away from dehydration and constipation. Fluids aid in bowel movement, and also aids in recovery post-delivery. Coconut water, non-citrus juices, herbal drinks, low-fat milk, and buttermilk are good sources of essential nutrients that a healing body needs. Consume at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.
As diet and proper nutrition are vital post cesarean, it is also important that you should be careful with certain foods and avoid eating them. To heal from the delivery, your body needs good, light, and nutritious foods that provide your body with the necessary minerals, and protects you from adversities. Just as you have recommended food list post cesarean, you also have foods that you should avoid:
- Spicy Foods: Cause gastric troubles for the mother and the baby.
- Foods that cause gas: Food items like chole, urad dal, rajma, channa, pickles, green peas dry peas, cauliflower, bhindi, cabbage, broccoli, and onions should be avoided after delivery as they often cause gas and bloating.
- Fried and Fast Foods
- Ghee and Rice should be avoided for a week after delivery.
- Carbonated Drinks
- Caffeine
- Cold and Uncooked Foods
- Alcohol: Interferes with the mother’s ability to produce breast milk, and can also impair the baby’s growth and development.
Diet chart for cesarean delivery
C-section surgery can put a women’s body under immense physical, mental, and emotional stress. As it is also crucial for the mother to get a good amount of time to recover after the surgery, and the most important part of a speedy recovery is her diet. While many prepare well for the delivery, it is also critical to pay attention to the diet after the surgery.
Apart from following the diet chart for cesarean delivery mentioned above, follow the below-mentioned
do’s and don’ts:
- Instead of consuming three large meals a day, spread your meals throughout the day. Have five to six smaller meals.
- Take your meals in a gap of two to three hours. If you feel hungry in between snacks healthy.
- Try and get enough sleep. Sleeping will allow your body to heal and recover faster and better.
- Eat only home-cooked fresh meals.
- take good care of the wound site and see your doctor regularly.
- Chew your food slowly and avoid gulping.
- Don’t eat anything that can cause gas and constipation.
- Avoid lifting and carrying heavy items.
- Avoid climbing stairs and inclines.
- Void driving.
Life after c-section surgery could be challenging. You must monitor your diet and stay controlled for a better and speedy recovery. A well-balanced, and nutritious diet will always assist you in better healing and will also keep your newborn baby healthy.
7 day diet plan
Day-1
Early morning- 6-am to 7am-breakfast- 1 cup of black tea /green tea+ boiled chickpeas
Breakfast- 8 am-9 am- wholegrain bread toast-2 slice + 1 cup fresh paneer with green chutney
Midmorning snacks- 11 am – 11-30 am- 1 green apple+ 1 glass of milk
Lunch- 1 pm – 2 pm- 2 millet roti + 1 bowl of dal + bhindi stir fried + salad + raita
Evening snacks- 4 pm – 6 pm- 1 glass of lime juice without sugar + upma with roasted peanuts
Dinner- 8 pm- 9 pm- 2 roti + dal + mixed vegetable curry
Before bed time- 1 glass of toned milk
Day-2
Early morning- 6 am -7 am- 1 cup cinnamon tea without milk + roasted cucumber / water melon / sesame seeds
Breakfast- 8 am-9 am- 2 ragi idlis with onion & tomato chutney + 1 glass butter milk
Midmorning snacks- 11 am – 11.30 am- 1 banana + 1 glass of lime juice
Lunch- 1 pm – 2 pm- 2 millet appams + sambhar with mix veg + cucumber & onion salad + mint raita
Evening snacks – 4 pm – 6 pm- upma with rasam
Dinner- 8 pm- 9 pm- 2 roti + cabbage sabji + veg curry + radish salad
Before bed time- 1 glass of toned milk
Day-3
Early morning- 6 am-7 am- 1 cup black /green tea + 2 piece rusks
Breakfast- 8 am-9 am- 1 bowl vegetable oat upma
Midmorning snacks- 11 am-11.30 am- 1 apple + 1 glass of coconut water
Lunch- 1 pm – 2pm- 2millet roti + fresh leafy vegetable + 1 cup paneer gravy
Evening snacks- 4 pm – 6 pm- 1 glass of mixed fruit juice + multigrain cracker
Dinner- 8 pm-9 pm- peas pulao + 1 cup mixed veg dal
Before bed time- 1 glass of toned milk
Day-4
Early morning- 6 am-7am – 1 cup cinnamon tea without milk + 6 almonds( soaked overnight)
Breakfast- 8 am-9 am- besan chila + curd
Midmorning snacks- 11am-11.30 am- 1 gauva + lime juice
Lunch- 1 pm- 2pm- brown rice pulao with steamed carrot , peas , beans, onion + dal tadka + cucumber & tomato salad
Evening snacks- 4 pm- 6 pm- 1 glass buttermilk + methi khakra
Dinner- 8 pm-9 pm- 2 multigrain rotis + mix veg palak paneer
Before bed time- 1 glass of toned milk
Day-5
Early morning- 6 am-7 am- 1 cup black / green tea + sugar free biscuit
Breakfast- 8 am-9 am- dalia + sambhar
Midmorning snacks – 11 am- 11.30 am – mixed fruit salad + butter milk
Lunch- 1 pm – 2pm- veg paratha + raita
Evening snacks – 4 pm – 6 pm- coconut water + mixed nuts
Dinner- 8 pm -9 pm- brown rice + mushroom gravy
Before bed time- 1 glass of toned milk
Day-6
Early morning- 6 am-7 am- cinnamon /black tea + boiled chickpeas
Breakfast- 8 am-9 am- toast with peanut butter
Midmorning snacks- 11 am-11.30 am- 1 pomegranate + coconut water
Lunch- 1 pm-2 pm- brown rice + mixed vegetable curry + yoghurt + salad
Evening snacks- 4 pm- 6 pm- sprout salad + corn soup
Dinner- 8 pm-9 pm- multigrain roti + stir fried chicken+ dal + salad
Before bed time- 1 glass of toned milk
Day-7
Early morning- 6 am- 7 am- 1 cup black / green tea + rusks
Breakfast- 8 am-9 am- rawa idly + peanut chutney
Midmorning snacks – 11 am-11.30 am- 1 seasonal fruit of your choice + lime juice
Lunch- 1 pm – 2 pm- millet roti + stir fried vegetables + raita
Evening snacks – 4 pm – 6 pm- butter milk + nuts
Dinner- 8 pm- 9 pm- mushroom corn vegetable pulao + chicken soup + mix veg curry with paneer
Before bed time – 1 glass of toned milk
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Oranges, papayas, strawberries, sweet potatoes, and grapefruits are good to eat for the C section. These fruits are laced with the goodness of vitamin C, aid in fighting infections, and also boosts immunity.
Bananas are a must in a diet after cesarean. They have a bunch of various nutrients including potassium that aid in speedy recovery after the surgery. Potassium also aids in maintaining the body’s electrolyte balance, helps in muscle contraction, and helps the body release energy from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins that you consume. Other nutrients in bananas help in maintaining good immune health, wound repair, and better bowel movements.
It is advisable to avoid ghee for about a week post c section. Ghee has good fats and also helps in lowering your glycemic index of the food it is taken with. It also helps your body recover smoothly and faster.
But at the same time ghee could be bad for your health if taken in large quantities. You should take ghee in very limited quantity. Excess ghee can raise your cholesterol levels and cause heart problems. Excess ghee can also interfere with relaxin, a hormone produced by the body during labor that helps relax joints and muscles.