After giving birth, it’s essential to replenish your body with nutrients. But eating postpartum can feel tricky. Finding time to make healthy, nutritious food while caring for an infant is difficult, and when your hands are occupied with a baby, picking up a fork and knife (or a sandwich!) isn't always possible. (Tip: The Solly Wrap can help free up your hands!) Still, you needn't be resigned to protein bars and chips. Enter: the smoothie.
Packed with energizing ingredients to support recovery from birth, smoothies are a quick and healthy way to fuel your body while you navigate the fourth trimester. Plus, they can even be prepped before you give birth! Just place single servings in bags and keep them inside the freezer for an easy blend-and-go option. Here are five of our favorite smoothie recipes for new and breastfeeding moms.
Green Smoothie
1 cup milk of choice
1 cup of spinach
3/4 cup frozen peaches
1 frozen banana
3/4 cup ice
1 tbsp chia seeds
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Smoothie
1 cup milk of choice
1/2 cup ice
1 frozen banana
1-2 pitted dates
2 tbsp peanut butter
2 tbsp chocolate chips
1 tbsp flaxseed
Strawberry Banana Lactation Smoothie
1 cup of milk of choice
1/2 cup ice
1 frozen banana
2/3 cup frozen strawberries
1/3 cup of rolled oats
1 pitted date
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1 tsp of brewer’s yeast
Snickerdoodle Chip Smoothie
*Courtesy of Rachael’s Good Eats
3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup ice
1/2 frozen banana
1 tbsp almond butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1 scoop vanilla protein
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1/2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean powder
2 tbsp cacao nibs, (plus more to sprinkle on top after)
Antioxidant Mixed Berry Smoothie
*Courtesy of Ambitious Kitchen
1/2 cup frozen blackberries
1/2 cup frozen raspberries (or sub strawberries)
1/4 cup frozen blueberries (I like wild blueberries)
1 frozen banana
2 cups organic spinach
1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
1 tablespoon almond butter
1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, plus more as necessary
Optional: 1 tablespoon hemp seeds