Breastfeeding infants is an age-old practice around the world and throughout religions. In the Jewish community, the Hebrew term for a postpartum mother is "meineket," which translates to "breastfeeding woman." Jewish dietary regulations, known as "kashrut," dictate the food practices among orthodox Jews, including lactating mothers. Several aspects of the kashrut laws overlap with the recommended food precautions for nursing mothers by the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- for example, separating utensils for meat and nonmeat to avoid contamination, and limiting fish consumption. The nutrient density of many traditional Jewish dishes makes them a healthy source of nutrition for breastfeeding mothers.
Cholent
"Cholent" is a traditional Jewish stew served during Shabbat dinner. This nutrient-dense dish combines beans, barley, beef and potatoes. Beef and beans are good sources of iron, an important micronutrient that helps breastfeeding mothers transport oxygen to their blood and muscles. Vegetables and seasonings in the stew also offer trace amounts of vitamins A, C and E.
Roasted Stuffed Chicken
Roasted chicken stuffed with seasoned fruits and vegetables is a traditional dish served during the celebration feast on Passover. According to the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, iron and vitamin C are two important micronutrients that nursing mothers need more of than other women. Roasted chicken is an excellent source of lean protein and iron, while the apricots and sun-dried tomatoes stuffed inside the chicken offer vitamin C.
Citrus Cabbage Salad
Citrus cabbage salad is traditional Jewish holiday dish combining grapefruit, oranges and dried cranberries with pistachio nuts and cabbage. High in vitamin C and fiber, the pistachios also offer healthy, polyunsaturated fats. In addition to nutrients in each food, the high water content of the citrus and cabbage provides the additional fluid nursing mothers need to prevent dehydration.
Sweet Potato Pie
If you're going to enjoy sweets on the Jewish Sabbath, choose one with some nutritional value like sweet potato pie. Just one small sweet potato contains 300 percent of your daily recommended allowance of vitamin A and 60 percent of your daily recommended allowance of vitamin C, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. The milk used in the pie also offers additional protein and calcium.
Member Comments