Benefits of Eating Congee Postpartum

Benefits of Eating Congee Postpartum

/in , /by

Congee is a type of rice porridge that has been a popular dish in Asian cultures for centuries.

It’s made by boiling white rice in liquid (usually chicken or vegetable stock) until it resembles a thick soup or stew. The result is a comforting and hearty meal that can be enjoyed as-is, or topped with cooked shredded meat, chopped green onions, diced carrots, and/or sliced mushrooms for extra flavor.

Congee is easy to make and healthy to eat – perfect for postpartum mothers looking for something comforting and nutritious.

Eating congee offers many beneficial health benefits for postpartum mothers.

It’s high in nutrients such as carbohydrates and proteins, which are important for lactation and providing energy during the healing period after childbirth.

Congee is also easy to digest, making it a great food choice for new moms who may be suffering from abdominal or stomach weakness.

Additionally, congee is comforting, warm and delicious – perfect for postpartum mamas who need a nourishing, hearty meal.

Here’s how to make the perfect basic congee:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of uncooked white rice
  • 4 cups of chicken or vegetable stock
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Any optional toppings you like (e.g., shredded cooked chicken, chopped green onions, diced carrots, or sliced mushrooms)

Instructions:

Rinse the uncooked white rice in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear. This will help to get rid of any extra starch from the rice so that it cooks evenly.

In a medium saucepan, bring the stock to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, add in the rinsed rice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 15 minutes covered, stirring occasionally. The rice should be completely cooked when ready — if not, cook an extra 5 minutes until done.

Serve warm topped with any optional toppings you’d like! Enjoy!

There are a few easy ways to make congee tastier.

You can add different ingredients like sauteed vegetables, tofu, or even cured meats to give your congee a flavor boost. For an extra kick of flavor, try adding herbs and spices such as cilantro, ginger, garlic, scallions and soy sauce. Alternatively, you can also add other condiments like chili oil or sesame oil for more depth of flavor. Adding fruits such as raisins or dates can make the congee sweeter and provide a unique twist on the traditional dish.

Experiment with these ideas and find which combination of ingredients works best for you!

If you are not the cooking type, we have resources that can make life easier. There is a great local place that can dropship soups to eat for easy, nutritional meals. Consider eating Congee in the mornings to start healing your gut. This company makes ready-made packets that you put in a slow cooker. Once you get the hang of it, you can branch out on your own.

Schedule a 15 minute video consultation to learn more about how our team of acupuncturists can help.

Anna Rudel
San Jose Acupuncturist
408.279.9001
Follow us on Instagram
Make an Appointment

Postpartum Congee Recipe

Postpartum Chicken Congee Recipe

/in , /by

Postpartum nutrition is an extremely important part of the mother’s recovery and can be as nourishing and healing as it is delicious.

Qin Zhu, L. Ac. shared another traditional recipe that can be helpful for new mothers.

Why postpartum nutrition is so important:

  • It takes 9 months to grow a baby, after which the body is tired.
  • Labor is physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting. It is important to take the time to heal.
  • Decreased micronutrient stores can increase the risk of postpartum depression.
  • Breastfeeding can place high energetic and nutritional demands on the body.

How you nourish your body in the postpartum period is important, not just for your own health, but also in order to help your baby grow strong and healthy. A healthy postpartum eating plan should include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and healthy fats.

4 secrets of healing postpartum food, according to East Asian Medicine

  1. Eat warm and digestible foods. Soups, congee and stews make great postpartum meals.
  2. Eat a nutrient-dense and anti-inflammatory diet. Think colorful produce, healthy proteins, fats, and certain grains. Try to include different colors in one meal, for example, green leafy vegetables, yellow bell peppers, carrots, red iron-rich protein and brown rice.
  3. Eat collagen-rich foods to support tissue repair. Collagen is a super nutrient for rebuilding tissues, collagen-rich food includes bone broth, skin-on chicken, skin-on sardines or Salmon. Don’t forget about adding some berries and aloe vera juice to your diet too. They help your body build collagens.
  4. Hydrate often. For breastfeeding mothers, 10 to 15 glasses of water a day are required to quench thirst and produce enough breast milk. Plus, the more fluids you consume, the faster your body can rebuild and regenerate.

Below is a traditional recipe for chicken congee.

This rice soup is ideal for new mothers because it includes ingredients that nourish and support the energy of the body. Try to drink this soup at least once a week for the 8 weeks following birth. It is easy to make a large batch and freeze individual portions.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup rice (½ of brown rice and ½ of white rice)
  • 4 cups chicken bone broth
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 cup carrot or broccoli
  • 1 skin-on chicken breast
  • Sesame oil, to taste
  • Salt and pepper
  • Cilantro
  • Black sesame seeds, to taste

Method:

  1. Place rice, bone broth and water into a large pot. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and continue to simmer, for 1-2 hours or until rice takes on a consistency of congee. Stir every now and then, adding a bit of extra water if the rice becomes dry.
  2. Cut carrots or broccoli into 1 inch pieces and throw into the congee and boil for another 20 to 30 mins or till the vegetables become soft.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Pat chicken breast dry, then season with a bit of salt and pepper and a splash of olive oil. Place in a roasting dish and bake for 30 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the juices run clear. When cool enough to handle, shred the chicken.
  4. Season the congee lightly with salt, pepper and sesame oil.
  5. Serve each bowl with a generous handful of shredded chicken, a few sprigs of cilantro
  6. Sprinkle the black sesame seeds on top for taste. Black sesame seeds nourish the reproductive system, build blood for postpartum recovery, and boost milk supply.

Chinese nutritional principles herbs can be very effective in the treatment of postpartum recovery.

If you would like to know more about how acupuncture and herbs can be helpful for you, give us a call for a free 15-min consultation!

Anna Rudel
San Jose Acupuncturist
408.279.9001
Follow us on Instagram
Make an Appointment