Foods to Avoid During Confinement: Can I Eat This?

In this article, we’ll look at foods to avoid during confinement before answering common questions about what postpartum mothers can or cannot eat. 

The confinement period is an important time to recover from labour and bond with your baby. Mothers need to focus on getting a balanced diet with nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Taking healthy foods provides postpartum mothers with the energy they need to get through the day (and sleepless nights), recover from delivery wounds, and produce enough breast milk for their newborns.

Foods to Avoid During Confinement

Generally, a balanced diet consists of whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy sources. But with all the old wives' tales going around, it might be helpful to know which types of food have been proven to be bad for you and your baby. 

Here are 6 types of food to limit or avoid during the confinement period.

1. Fast Food.

Fast food and highly processed food like white bread, burger patties, nuggets, potato chips, and fries only add calories to your diet. These foods are loaded with trans-fat, sugar, and salt but have little nutritional benefit.

Some of the key nutrients lacking in fast food include:

• Fiber. To promote a healthy bowel movement and reduce the risk of certain types of cancers.
• Iron. An essential ingredient to make new red blood cells. Iron is important to recover from blood loss that happens during childbirth.
• Zinc and Vitamin C. To support wound healing and strengthen the immune system.
• Calcium. Postpartum mothers need at least 1300mg of calcium a day1 for healthy bones and to produce breast milk.

Though it is considered acceptable to enjoy fast food every once in a while, it is a good idea to avoid them when you can. Instead, take whole foods like whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.

2. Sugary Drinks.

Sugary drinks like soft drinks and fruit juices should be avoided during the confinement period. If taken excessively, sugary drinks may cause weight gain and are linked to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

A study published in the American Journal of Nutrition also revealed the detrimental effects of sugary beverages and juices on breastfed babies. In the study, mothers who frequently take sugary drinks in the first month postpartum resulted in their babies performing poorly in a cognitive test.

3. Fish High in Mercury.

Fish is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. However, certain fish have a high mercury content which is harmful to babies.

Acute mercury poisoning could impair both the physical and cognitive development of babies. So avoid taking fish with high mercury content like:

• Shark
• Swordfish
• Tilefish
• Big-eye tuna
• Marlin
• King mackerel. 

Fish with a low mercury content that is safer for mothers during confinement include Atlantic mackerel, salmon, haddock, and flounder.

4. Alcohol.

Alcohol is passed down in breast milk and can be detected up to two to three hours following consumption. According to the CDC, there are two reasons why breastfeeding mothers should not drink alcohol.

Firstly, alcohol disrupts the milk ejection reflex and may reduce milk supply over time. Alcohol exposure also interrupts babies’ sleep patterns and causes developmental delays. The effect of alcohol is more pronounced during the confinement period when the body is regulating milk supply and the baby is smaller and more sensitive to alcohol.

Secondly, alcohol may cloud a mother’s judgment to care for her newborn safely. It is also dangerous to co-sleep with your newborn after taking alcoholic beverages. 

While moderate consumption3 of alcohol is not known to be harmful, the safest option is to avoid alcohol during breastfeeding.

5. Caffeine.

Caffeine is another category of food or beverage that you may want to limit during the postpartum period. Similar to alcohol, caffeine enters breast milk in small amounts.

Unfortunately, a newborn’s body is smaller so it takes longer to process caffeine. High levels of caffeine, around 10 cups of coffee per day, may result in your breastfed baby being more irritable, fussy, and having poor sleeping patterns4.

Typically, taking a low to moderate amount of caffeine (of up to 300 milligrams or two to three cups of coffee) is considered safe. But if your baby can’t tolerate this, it could be worthwhile to avoid coffee and other foods and drinks with caffeine such as:

• Sodas
• Energy drinks
• Teas
• Chocolate
  

6. Colic-Inducing Foods.

Colic is when a baby cries intensely, frequently, and for an extended time. Babies who are colic are difficult to console, and this can be quite frustrating for parents.

Some studies suggest that maternal diet may influence infantile colic. Some of the foods that are thought to cause colic in infants are:

• Highly allergenic foods, like cow’s milk, peanut, fish, wheat, and soy.
• Bananas.
• Gassy foods, like broccoli, cauliflower, onions, Brussel sprouts, and cabbage.
• Caffeine. Present in coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drinks.
• Strong tasting foods, like garlic, durian, and very spicy food.

If you suspect that your baby may have colic, you might want to experiment by excluding these foods one at a time. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist before eliminating any types of food from your diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I eat eggs during confinement?

Eggs are excellent sources of protein and healthy fats. They are very versatile too and you can have them for any meal of the day, including snacks.

Generally, eggs are perfectly safe to take during confinement. There’s no need to exclude eggs from your diet unless your breastfed baby shows signs of allergy to them.

2. Can I eat tofu during confinement?

Tofu is a plant-based protein and a non-dairy source of calcium. This popular food is known to be safe to consume for postpartum mothers. So if you’re on a vegan or vegetarian diet, tofu can be a go-to option during confinement.

3. Can I eat garlic during confinement?

Garlic is a flavouring ingredient used in many recipes. Some mothers claim that garlic is a potent natural herb that boosts milk supply.

However, the food that mothers eat influences the taste of breast milk. While it is considered safe to eat garlic during confinement, mothers might want to eat this sparingly due to its strong taste and smell.

4. Can I eat bananas during confinement?

Bananas contain vitamin C and provide energy to mothers during confinement. Research also suggests that taking this fruit may ease constipation.

You can take bananas during confinement. But if taking too much worsens your baby's colic, simply opt for other fruits.

5. Can I eat prawns during confinement?

Mothers can take prawns or shrimps during confinement. Prawns are a great source of lean protein that helps the body recover from pregnancy and giving birth.

Moreover, the EPA and DHA in prawns are also thought to reduce the risk of developing postpartum depression. And if you're breastfeeding, your baby could benefit from the choline and Omega-3 fatty acids present in prawns. These key nutrients help develop your baby’s brain.

6. Can I eat chocolate during confinement?

Chocolate is a yummy treat loved by many. It is a mood booster that also has a calming effect. And if you’re a fan, fret not. Taking chocolate during confinement is perfectly fine for most mothers and babies. 

But some babies do not tolerate the caffeine in chocolate too well. When you take too much caffeine, your little one might be gassy, restless, and fussy. In this case, you can skip chocolate altogether. Otherwise, try white or milk chocolate as these have less caffeine compared to dark chocolate.

7. Can I eat cake during confinement?

There isn’t any strong evidence suggesting against eating cake during confinement and breastfeeding. The only concern is that cakes are typically high in sugar and fat. So remember to take them in moderation.

8. Can I eat bread during confinement?

If you can safely take bread before pregnancy, then you should be fine taking them during confinement. Bread is a source of carbohydrates that provides energy. Choose wholemeal bread instead of white bread for extra fibre and to keep you energized longer.

Conclusion

Pregnancy and giving birth cause many changes to the body. On top of that, enduring long hours of labour is physically taxing. This is why newborn mothers often feel weak and tired.

So make the best out of your confinement period by fueling the body with nourishing food. Avoid fast food and sugary drinks. Rather, eat whole foods that are minimally processed to optimize the nutrient intake of the body.

It’s also important to know that certain types of fish, alcohol, caffeine and colic-inducing food may harm your breastfed baby or make them colicky. 

You may ask, what about the rest of the food out there? Can I eat them during confinement?

There is no standard answer for this. Nutrition is unique to each individual, taking into account allergies, intolerance, and other dietary considerations. 

This is where we come in. At Phoenix Signature Kitchen, we want you to get the best postpartum meals tailored to your personal needs. Our team of experts will provide you with the best of traditional and modern, scientific-based nutrition.

Save time and energy by having confinement food delivered to you. Click this link to order your first postpartum meal with us today.

坐月子应避免的食物。我可以吃这个吗？

在这篇文章中，我们先说说坐月子应避免的食物，然后再来回答关于产后妈妈可以和不可以吃什么的常见问题。

坐月子是产后恢复及与宝宝亲近的重要时期。妈妈们需要摄入均衡营养的饮食，包括碳水化合物、蛋白质、维生素和矿物质等营养物质。

吃健康的食物可以为产后妈妈提供所需的能量，让分娩伤口恢复，并为宝宝分泌足够的母奶。

坐月子期间应避免的食物

均衡的饮食一般包括全谷物、瘦肉、水果、蔬菜和低脂奶。但是由于许多人都听从老一辈长辈的说法，所以就让我们先了解哪些类型的食物已被证实不利于妈妈和宝宝。

这里有6种在坐月子应控制或避免的食物。

1. 快餐

快餐和高度加工的食物，如白面包、汉堡肉饼、炸鸡块、薯片和薯条。这些食物含有反式脂肪、糖和盐，只会增加你的饮食热量，没什么营养价值。

快餐中缺乏的一些关键营养包括：

• 纤维 – 能促进肠道蠕动及减少某些癌症的风险。
• 铁 – 是制造红血球的一种基本成分。它对于恢复分娩时所流失的血极为重要。
• 锌和维生素C – 帮助伤口愈合和增强免疫系统。
• 钙 - 产后妈妈每天至少需要1300毫克的钙以确保骨骼的健康和母奶分泌。

尽管许多人认为偶尔吃一次快餐没有问题，但最好尽量避免。建议多吃全谷物、豆类、水果和蔬菜等整体食物。

2. 含糖饮料

坐月子期间应避免饮用汽水和果汁等含糖饮料。饮用过量的含糖饮料可能会使体重增加并导致2型糖尿病和心脏病有关的疾病。

在《美国营养学杂志》上发表过的一项研究显示含糖饮料和果汁对母乳喂养的宝宝不利。在这项研究中，在产后第一个月经常饮用含糖饮料的妈妈的宝宝在认知测试中表现不佳。

3. 汞含量高的鱼

鱼富含蛋白质和Omega-3脂肪酸。然而汞含量高的鱼对宝宝是有害的。

急性汞中毒可能会危害宝宝的身体和认知发展。因此，要避免食用汞含量高的鱼，如：

• 鲨鱼
• 剑鱼
• 方头鱼
• 大眼金枪鱼
• 马林鱼
• 鲭鱼王

汞含量低的鱼，如：大西洋鲭鱼、鲑鱼、黑线鳕和比目鱼对在坐月子期间的妈妈更安全。

4. 酒精

酒精会吸收進入血液及母奶中，并逗留在体内两到三小时。根据CDC，妈妈不应该饮酒的原因有两个。

首先，酒精会减弱母奶的释放反射，并可能减少母奶的供应。酒精还会干扰宝宝的规律睡眠模式，导致发育迟缓。它的影响在坐月子更加明显，因为此时身体正在调节母奶供应，宝宝越小对酒精更敏感。

其次，酒精可能会影响妈妈照顾宝宝的判断力。饮用酒精饮料后与宝宝同床共枕也很危险。

虽然适度饮酒并不意味着有害，但为了安全起见，避免在母奶喂养期间饮酒。

5. 咖啡因

咖啡因也是你在产后要控制的食物或饮料。与酒精类似，少量咖啡因会进入母奶中。

由于新生儿的身体比较小所以需要更长的时间将咖啡因清除出自己身体。大量咖啡因，比如说每天大约十杯咖啡，可能会导致母奶喂养的宝宝更加烦躁，暴躁，睡眠模式欠佳。

事实上，服用少量咖啡因（大约不超过300毫克或两到三杯咖啡）是安全的。但是，如果你的宝宝不耐受，那你应避免饮用咖啡和服用其他含有咖啡因的食物。含咖啡因的食物及饮料如：

• 苏打水
• 能量饮料
• 茶叶
• 巧克力

6. 引发绞痛的食物。

绞痛是指宝宝出现强烈、频繁、长时间地哭啼。绞痛的宝宝很难平复情绪，令爸妈不知所措。

一些研究显示，妈妈的饮食可能会导致宝宝肠绞痛。会引起宝宝肠绞痛的食物有：

• 高过敏性食物，如牛奶、花生、鱼、小麦和大豆
• 香蕉
• 胀气食物，如西兰花、花椰菜、洋葱、球芽甘蓝和包菜
• 咖啡因，存在于咖啡、茶、巧克力和能量饮料中
• 味道强烈的食物，如大蒜、榴莲和非常辛辣的食物

如果你怀疑宝宝可能有肠绞痛，可以尝试排除这些食物，或是从饮食中排除任何类型的食物前，与医生或营养师商量。

常见问题

1. 坐月子可以吃鸡蛋吗？

鸡蛋是蛋白质和健康脂肪的极佳来源。它们的用途也很广泛，你可以在一天中的任何一餐中食用，或当成零嘴。

一般来说，在坐月子期间吃鸡蛋是完全安全的。除非你母乳喂养的宝宝有对鸡蛋过敏的迹象，否则没有必要不吃鸡蛋。

2. 坐月子可以吃豆腐吗？

豆腐是一种植物性蛋白质，也是非乳制品的钙质来源，对产后妈妈来说是安全的。如果你是素食主义者或素食者，豆腐可以作为坐月子的一个选择。

3. 坐月子可以吃大蒜吗？

大蒜是许多菜肴中的一种配料。一些妈妈声称大蒜是一种有效的天然草药，可以促进母奶供应。

然而，妈妈吃的食物会影响母奶的味道。即使在坐月子期间吃大蒜被认为是安全的，但因为那强烈的味道和气味，妈妈们可能要少吃。

4. 坐月子可以吃香蕉吗？

香蕉含有维生素C，并为在坐月子的妈妈提供能量。研究显示，吃香蕉可以缓解便秘。

你可以在坐月子吃香蕉。但如果吃多了加重宝宝的肠绞痛，那你可以选择吃其他水果。

5. 坐月子可以吃虾吗？

妈妈在坐月子可以吃大虾或小虾。虾是瘦肉蛋白质的重要来源，有助于恢复在怀孕和分娩的身体。

此外，虾中的EPA和DHA可以降低患产后抑郁症的风险。母奶喂养的宝宝可以从虾中摄取胆碱和Omega-3脂肪酸。这些关键的营养物质有助于开发宝宝的大脑。

6. 坐月子期间可以吃巧克力吗？

巧克力是很多人都喜欢的美味零嘴。它是一种情绪促进剂，也有镇定作用。如果你也爱巧克力，不必担心，在坐月子期间吃巧克力对大多数妈妈和宝宝来说是完全没有问题的。

但是有些宝宝对巧克力中的咖啡因的耐受性不太好。如果服用过多的咖啡因使你的宝宝涨风、坐立不安、急躁，那你可能要避免吃巧克力，或是尝试白巧克力或牛奶巧克力，因为与黑巧克力相比，这些巧克力的咖啡因较少。

7. 坐月子期间我可以吃蛋糕吗？

并没有任何证据证明在坐月子和哺乳期不能吃蛋糕。但是由于蛋糕的糖和脂肪含量通常很高，所以应该适量吃。

8. 坐月子可以吃面包吗？

如果你在怀孕前有常吃面包，那么在坐月子吃面包应该不会有问题。面包是碳水化合物的来源，可以提供能量。选择全麦面包而不是白面包，以摄取更多的纤维并保持更长时间的精力充沛。

结论

怀孕和分娩会给身体带来许多变化。除此之外，过长的分娩时间也是身体上的一种负担。这就是为什么新生儿妈妈经常感到虚弱和疲惫。

因此要充分利用坐月子期间，多摄入营养丰富的食物，避免吃快餐及喝含糖饮料。建议多吃底加工度的完整食物，以优化身体的营养摄取量。

同样需要注意的是某些类型的鱼、酒精、咖啡因和引起绞痛的食物可能会伤害你母奶喂养的宝宝或导致他们绞痛。

你可能会问，我可以在坐月子期间吃其他的食物吗？

对于这个问题没有一个标准答案。营养的摄入因人而异，要考虑到过敏、不耐受和其他饮食方面的因素。

在凤凰特色厨房，我们的优势是为你提供个人量身定做的最佳产后膳食。我们的专业团队将为你提供传统和现代、并基于科学的最佳营养。

点击这个链接订购你的第一份月子餐，让我们将月子餐送达你家门口，好让你省时省力。

References:

1. 2001. Healthy Eating during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding. Booklet for Mothers. World Health Organization, p.23.
2. Berger, P., Plows, J., Jones, R., Alderete, T., Rios, C., Pickering, T., Fields, D., Bode, L., Peterson, B. and Goran, M., 2020. Associations of maternal fructose and sugar-sweetened beverage and juice intake during lactation with infant neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 112(6), pp.1516-1522.
3. https://www.cdc.gov/. 2022. Alcohol. [online] Available at: <https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/vaccinations-medications-drugs/alcohol.html> [Accessed 5 June 2022].
4. https://www.cdc.gov/. 2022. Breastfeeding Special Circumstances. [online] Available at: <https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/diet-and-micronutrients/maternal-diet.html> [Accessed 5 June 2022].
5. Verywell Family. 2022. Can I Eat Shrimp While Breastfeeding?. [online] Available at: <https://www.verywellfamily.com/can-breastfeeding-women-eat-shrimp-5217787#:~:text=Shrimp%20is%20a%20good%20choice,helps%20with%20your%20physical%20recovery.> [Accessed 6 June 2022].