It has finally happened.
On November 7th, almost on the scheduled day, my Son decided to
finally leave my belly. Polish hospitals, unfortunately, were not
ready to feed the vegan mum. Luckily, my sister and husband came to
the rescue:) In this post, you will read about the reality of the
breastfeeding vegan mum’s diet.
I’m not going to comment on the labor itself. I will not discuss the nurses’ and doctors’ attitude towards the patients. I will not comment on the fact I was refused to be given the epidural anesthesia to which I have the right to (there’s a huge problem in Polish hospitals with enforcing your rights. I guess they believe you need to be in real pain to feel that you’re giving birth to your baby). What I am going to comment on is the diet and the food vegans can be served in Polish hospitals.
I can tell you this: it’s not easy being vegan when you’re in hospital. If I was to eat what they served me, the only thing I could, would be an apple or juice. But when you’re breastfeeding it’s not enough;)
Fortunately, my family brought me the food I needed. Every day, my husband brought me fresh bread, plant based pates and fresh salads. My sister, M., worked very hard to prepare nutritious and healthy lunches which I often ate cold as I was extremely hungry;)
What exactly did my sister prepare for lunches?
On the very first day, I got baked cutlets made of millet, quinoa and pumpkin plus cooked beetroot salad. That was a very light lunch but at the same time food full of plant based protein that me and my baby needed.
I guess that is the hardest thing when it comes to breastfeeding diet - you need to have healthy food but be careful with the food that may not be indifferent to your or your baby’s stomach. There’s nothing better after the labor than good food, time for some rest and a happy, peaceful baby.
On the second day, my sister brought me tofu baked in pesto made of sunflower seeds and parsley, cherry and baked pepper sauce and pear and carrot salad.
Perfect combination but you need to be careful with the baked pepper as it may turned out to be gassy (it all depends on the person who eats it).
On the day I was finally leaving the hospital, the hospital staff served me an apple and fish (which of course I did not have). So my sister came to the rescue again and brought cutlets made of rice, quinoa and baked veggies plus fresh veggies.
It was delicious, nutritious and provided me with the necessary amount of protein.
The very first day I came back home, was not an easy one: sleepless night and fever. Now I am getting back on my feet, preparing the food for myself again. Veggies and tofu with pesto,
pizza, millet balls in tomato sauce - that’s what I had the very first few days at home.
I also had scrambled tofu,
waffles and other meals
but without my favorite chili and curry powder.
I gradually introduce veggies and fruit to my diet and watch how my baby reacts to it. I’m doing my best to make my meals nutritious and healthy to me and my Son. And no, pregnancy and the time when you’re breastfeeding does not mean giving up on your diet and beliefs.
You will find the recipes for all the food mentioned on the blog. We will also post new recipes for young vegan mums soon. GO VEGAN!
K.
Etykiety: english, lifestyle
