Postpartum Recovery Dishes for Filipinas

Postpartum Recovery Dishes for Filipina Moms

Good job, mama! Congratulations on bringing your newborn into the world. Childbirth is a momentous occasion, but the journey has just begun. Your body has been through so much, and now it’s time to focus on healing and regaining your strength. One of the best ways to do that is through proper diet and nourishment.

Luckily, Filipino cuisine has a variety of dishes packed with nutrients to help your body heal and give you the energy to take care of your little one. Here are some delicious and healthy postpartum recovery dishes you can try.

Postpartum Meals and Recipes

In traditional Filipino culture, mothers must consume food that helps with milk production and restore their health after childbirth. This diet typically includes a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and vegetables. Here are some ideas to jumpstart your postpartum meal planning:

Arroz Caldo

Arroz Caldo is a comforting rice porridge often served to postpartum mothers in the Philippines. It's made with rice, chicken, and ginger, and garnished with crispy garlic, green onions, and a soft-boiled egg. The warm, savory porridge is easy to digest and is a good source of carbohydrates and protein.

Ingredients

• 1 cup glutinous rice (malagkit)

• 6 cups chicken broth

• 1 piece of chicken breast, shredded

• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Optional: boiled egg, green onions, and toasted garlic

Instructions

1. In a pot, sauté garlic, onions, and ginger in oil until fragrant.

2. Add chicken pieces and sauté until lightly browned.

3. Pour in chicken broth and glutinous rice. Bring to a boil.

4. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the rice breaks down and the porridge thickens.

5. Season with fish sauce, salt, and pepper to taste.

6. Garnish with crispy garlic, green onions, and a soft-boiled egg.

Chicken Tinola with Malunggay

Think of tinola as a warm, comforting hug in a bowl. This ginger-based chicken soup is a go-to for many Filipino moms after giving birth. Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help ease any aches and pains you might be feeling. Plus, the broth keeps you hydrated—crucial for breastfeeding moms!

Ingredients

• 3 lbs. chicken, cut into serving pieces

• 2 green papayas, cut into wedges

• 1 ½ cup malunggay leaves

• 1 cup hot pepper leaves

• 5 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped

• 1 onion, chopped

• 3 thumb-sized pieces of ginger, julienned

• 2 chicken cubes (for flavoring)

• 1 quart rice wash

• 1 quart water, as needed

• 2 tablespoon fish sauce

• Ground black pepper to taste

• 3 tablespoons cooking oil

Instructions

1. Start by sautéing the ginger, onion, and garlic until they’re nice and fragrant.

2. Add in the chicken pieces and cook until they turn white. Then add chicken cubes.

3. Pour in the water and bring it to a boil, then let it simmer until the chicken is tender.

4. Toss in the green papaya and cook until it’s soft.

5. Stir in the malunggay leaves, season with fish sauce, salt, and pepper, and you’re done!

6. Serve hot and enjoy the soothing warmth of this classic dish.

Ginisang Monggo

Ginisang monggo is a hearty mung bean stew packed with protein, fiber, and iron—nutrients your body needs after childbirth. Mung beans also help with milk production, so if you’re breastfeeding, this dish is ideal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup monggo beans soaked in water for at least an hour

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 medium tomato, chopped

• 1 piece of pork belly or shrimp (optional)

• 4 cups water

• 1 bunch of spinach or malunggay leaves

• Fish sauce, salt, and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Sauté the onion, garlic, and tomato until softened.

2. Add the pork belly or shrimp and cook until done.

3. Pour in the mung beans and water, then bring to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer until the beans are tender.

4. Add the spinach or malunggay leaves and season with fish sauce, salt, and pepper.

5. Serve hot with steamed rice and enjoy a meal that’s both filling and nutritious.

Sinigang

Sinigang is a loved Filipino dish known for its sour and savory flavor. It’s another comforting soup served to postpartum mothers. This soup can be made with various proteins such as pork, beef, fish, or shrimp. You can also use different ingredients to achieve sourness, including kamias and tamarind.

Ingredients

• 1 kg of your chosen protein, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1 medium onion, quartered

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 medium tomatoes, quartered

• 8-10 cups water

• 1 pack tamarind (sampalok) soup base or fresh tamarind

• 2 pieces radish (labanos), sliced

• 1 bundle of string beans (sitaw), cut into 2-inch pieces

• 2 pieces eggplant, sliced

• 1 bundle kangkong (water spinach) or spinach, trimmed

• 2 pieces green chili (optional)

• Fish sauce, salt, and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Place your protein of choice in a large pot and pour in enough water to cover it.

2. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Skim off any scum that rises to the top.

3. Drain and set aside.

4. In the same pot, sauté the minced garlic until golden.

5. Add the onion and tomatoes and cook until the onions are translucent and the tomatoes are soft.

6. Bring back the protein to the pot and stir to combine with the aromatics. Pour in 8-10 cups of water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the pork/beef/shrimp/fish is tender.

7. If using fresh tamarind, boil the tamarind in a small pot with water until soft, then strain and add the tamarind juice to the pot. If using tamarind soup base, simply add the packet to the pot and stir well.

8. Add the vegetables (radish slices, string beans, eggplant, or green chili). Cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

9. Add fish sauce or salt and pepper to taste.

10. Just before serving, stir in the kangkong or spinach leaves and cook until just wilted.

Nourish Your Postpartum Body with Classic Pinoy Dishes

As a new mom, it’s important to take care of yourself first before looking after your baby. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup. By incorporating traditional Filipino postpartum dishes into your recovery, you can nourish your body, promote healing, and regain the strength you need to raise your newborn.

During this period of transition, remember to reach out to your support system. Your family and friends can provide additional help and guidance throughout your postpartum journey. If you’re looking for more resources, InLife Sheroes is here for you. You can connect with other moms and receive tips on improving your overall well-being.

Join us today.