Lentils for breastfeeding: is it possible for a nursing mother, recipes

Lentils while breastfeeding are considered a rich source of protein, which is necessary for the normal development of the baby. Due to the large amount of nutrients, legumes allow a young mother to quickly restore strength and energy after childbirth.

The usefulness of legumes is due to the presence of the following useful properties:

• strengthening the immune system;
• restoring strength, preventing apathy;
• breast cancer prevention;
• removal of toxins and toxins;
• lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels;
• preventing the development of pathologies of the cardiac system.

The inclusion of lentils in the diet allows you to saturate and enrich the body with nutrients. Due to the low calorie content of legumes, there is no weight gain when using such a product. Nutritionists classify lentils as a dietary product and advise people who control body weight to include it in the menu.

A woman's body during lactation is often deficient in vitamins, and the use of lentils due to the high content of folic acid improves the condition of nails and hair. The risk of developing an allergic reaction to the product is minimized, which is important during breastfeeding.

What are the contraindications?

Is it possible to take lentils while breastfeeding depends on how much time has passed after childbirth, and whether there are individual contraindications. Experts say that it is possible to include legumes in the diet only 3 months after the birth of the baby. Like any new product, lentils must be started with caution, controlling the reaction of the baby to the innovation.

Contraindication for use is:

• the baby's tendency to flatulence, the presence of dysbacteriosis;
• diseases of the digestive tract and digestive problems;
• women's predisposition to gallstones or kidney stones;
• chronic joint diseases.

For a nursing mother, certain norms are established, adhering to which you can get the maximum benefit and not harm the baby.Violation of the rules of use is fraught with the appearance of increased gas formation and flatulence, not only in a woman, but also in a child. Abuse and violation of the recommendations for the use of lentils can lead to indigestion and stool in infants.

How to introduce the product into the diet?

The period of a milk diet for a mother imposes a number of restrictions and requires consistent introduction of new products into the daily diet. The first method is to prepare a dish based on lentil broth. In this case, the grains are not consumed, but only a few tablespoons of the broth are used. After applying the liquid, the reaction of the baby is observed within 2 days.

In the absence of digestive problems and allergic reactions in the form of a rash and itching of the skin, legumes can be included in the menu.

Any specialist will answer whether it is possible to use lentils for a nursing mother, that a measure is necessary in everything.The first time you can consume no more than 10 pieces of lentils per day. If there are signs of a negative reaction of the baby to a new product, the grains are excluded from the diet for 4 weeks, after which the attempt is repeated again. If no problems arise during the week, then the number of grains can be increased to 25. Lentils should be consumed after a well-conducted heat treatment. Before use, it is mandatory to select high-quality grains and wash them.

Producers today present 4 varieties of lentils:

• beluga or black - considered a rare species, has soft skin and rich taste, recommended for salads, stews, soups, has good compatibility with cereals;
• Egyptian or red - cooked in 10 minutes, the absence of a shell allows the grains to boil quickly, well suited for making mashed potatoes, cereals, combined with various types of meat and fish;
• brown - the most common type, it requires soaking for 12 hours before cooking, lentil mixture is boiled for 40 minutes;
• green - is an unripe type of brown lentil, boiled for 30 minutes and keeps its shape well, suitable for making casseroles, second courses, goes well with vegetables.

Regardless of the variety chosen, when buying, you need to pay attention to the quality of the grains. Lentils should be whole, dry, have a smooth surface and not have foreign odors. It is necessary to store the product in an airtight container and prevent moisture from getting on the grains, as they quickly soak and lose their useful qualities.

What to cook with lentils?

There are a lot of recipes for dishes with lentils for breastfeeding. All types of lentils go well with meat, so this product is often added as an ingredient in the preparation of pilaf.The red variety is recommended for purees and thin soups. The brown variety gives the soups a unique nutty flavor. Green and black varieties do not boil soft when cooked, so they are most often used as a side dish.

Light fluffy salad

The presented salad recipe contains dried fruits, the inclusion of which is necessary when breastfeeding. Such products are safe for babies and contain a large amount of useful trace elements and vitamins. Recipe:

• lentil grains - 100 grams;
• peeled apple - 1 pc.;
• dried apricots - 4 pcs;
• light feta cheese - 100 grams;
• raisins - 50 grams.

The salad is s alted and seasoned with vegetable oil. If desired, you can add a little dill, which will give the dish a special taste and aroma.

Chicken and lentil soup

During the period of breastfeeding, the soup broth is cooked in a special way. After 3 minutes from the beginning of the boil, the chicken pot is drained and added with new water. To prepare a vegetable dish you will need:

• chicken fillet - 300 grams;
• fresh zucchini - 250 grams;
• red lentils - 150 grams;
• celery - 1 pcs;
• carrot - 1 piece;
• potatoes - 3 pieces

After the chicken fillet is cooked into the broth, add cubes of potatoes, carrots, vegetables in succession and cook for 10 minutes. Grains and zucchini are added last, and the pan is kept on fire for another 15 minutes. The soup is s alted to taste. To add flavor to the finished dish, add greens in the form of parsley and dill.

Rules for cooking lentils

After sorting and removing defective grains, rinse them under running water. For soaking, water is used in the proportion of 2.5 cups for each cup of product. Grains are added to boiling water, and the boiling time is determined depending on the type of legume.

S alt is added to the container only at the last stages 15 minutes before the fire is turned off. Periodically it is necessary to control the water level, it should not fall below the grains. If s alt is added at the beginning of cooking, then the cooking time of the product increases by almost 2 times. Spices are added to the dish along with s alt. Pairs well with legumes:

• red pepper;
• curry;
• cumin;
• garlic;
• cilantro.

The readiness of cooking can be checked with a fork, which should easily enter the grains. If long-term stored lentils are taken for cooking, then the cooking time increases compared to the norm. Mixing old and new grains should not be allowed, otherwise they will cook unevenly and the taste of the dish will be spoiled.

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