The Cardiologist's Wife

Fast Food For New Moms

[ Post by Lisa Tedder ][ Post on June 6, 2012 ][ In For new Mom's ]

The first few days after your baby arrives are so overwhelming that preparing any food seems unmanageable.  Of course, you have to eat and you need proper nutrition, especially if you are breast feeding.  Hopefully, your friends and family have teamed up to feed you and the new Daddy dinner for a few days.  If you were really prepared, you even cooked and froze a few meals yourself before the baby arrived.  You may be lucky enough to have your Mom help out for a few days.

But what to do when everyone leaves and you are left with a demanding little thing in your arms?  This is where Dad really helps out.  Either he takes care of the baby while you shop and cook or he does it, or some combination thereof.  My website has many quick, easy recipes that will help you get dinner fast.  Here are a few more suggestions for breakfast and lunch and even snacks.  Remember, you want to lose that weight you gained so avoid processed foods, frozen entrees, sodas, chips and other junk.  Focus on healthy choices.  Also, I’d like to say that being organized will make your life soooo much easier at this time.  I know I’m a bit anal about organization but life will often seem like a three ring circus now that you’ve added a child or two, so step into the ringmaster role.  I’ll post some organization tips next time.

Breakfast

Boiled eggs- couldn’t be easier to prepare and a couple of these nutritious gems plus a piece of whole wheat toast or some fruit will fill you up till lunch.  Cook several at once.  They are also good for a snack or on a salad.

Smoothies – I love smoothies for breakfast, lunch, snacks or even as dessert.  I have several recipes for smoothies under the snack and breakfast categories.  Don’t add  sugar in your smoothies to avoid unwanted calories.  Stick with nonfat Greek yogurt (more protein), fresh fruit and limit any honey or fruit juice.  These whip up fast in a small blender like a Magic Bullet.  I often blend a banana, a scoop of Carnation Instant Breakfast, 1 Tbsp. of peanut butter and milk for breakfast.

Peanut butter on whole wheat toast or an English muffin.  Be sure to use whole wheat for the fiber and nutrition.  Add a smear of honey if you like, it’s delicious on warm toast.  Use any nut butter if you don’t like peanut butter.

Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and granola.  Go easy on the granola as it has lots of fat and sugar usually.  Great for snacks or dessert.

Lunch

Green salad – A container of salad should make about three lunch sized portions for one person.  Add a variety of ingredients for a healthy but super fast lunch.  Try nuts, sunflower seeds, cooked meats, raisins, dried cranberries, fresh fruit, carrots, boiled egg, tomatoes, avocado, onion, canned beans, salsa and cheese.  Don’t drown your salad in the fat and sugar that comes in the dressing; limit yourself to 2 Tbsp.  Your salad can be different every day so use your imagination.

Humus with pita bread and vegetables.  Toast a piece of pita bread, slice up a cucumber, add some baby carrots and grape or cherry tomatoes and you’ve got your food groups covered.  Go heavier on the veggies and light on the humus as 2 Tbsp. contain about 70 calories and 6 grams of fat.

Bread-less wrap.  Wrap three slices of deli meat around a low fat mozzarella stick.  Look for low fat deli meat with no preservatives.  Have some yogurt, fruit or raw veggies on the side.  Add a few whole wheat crackers if you need something extra.

 

Hope these tips for quick meal solutions help and good luck with the new baby!

 

 

Upadated on June 6, 2012