The Importance of Nourishing Postpartum Soup with Kitchen Doula

Are you about to have a baby or recently postpartum? Then you know that your time and energy are very precious. A postpartum meal plan for nutritious meals when you are in the first weeks and months of being a parent can be a lifesaver. Once your baby is here, you might not have the energy to cook for yourself or have as much support as you need. Having thoughtfully-cooked meals to turn to when you need them is a huge blessing. I recommend stocking your freezer before your baby comes with as many individual-sized meals as possible, especially mason jars full of single servings of soup and stew. That way when you are sleep-deprived, you don’t have to think too much about what to eat, it’s all there for you. If you are up for it, you can make some meals yourself, or if you are in the Bay Area, you can take advantage of the amazing postpartum food delivery service we love called Kitchen Doula.

Kitchen Doula is a meal delivery company here in Oakland that focuses on creating food for postpartum parents who want the ease of home-cooked meals and the convenience of not having to worry about cooking with a new baby. Tali Biale, the owner of Kitchen Doula, has shared this recipe with us for anyone who is looking for a little nourishment.

In Chinese medicine, we love soup. Warm, cooked foods are extra nourishing and easier for our bodies to digest when we are depleted. Focus on warm postpartum foods when recovering from your birth, and while nourishing your baby at the same time.

Kitchen Doula Turmeric Lentil Soup

This soup is a Kitchen Doula favorite but is particularly good when you are healing postpartum. Lentils provide good protein while coconut milk makes for a satisfying soup rich in healthy fat. Adding turmeric, a potent anti-inflammatory spice boosts this soup's healing potential. For added iron (particularly important postpartum), throw in a handful of spinach just before serving. If you want to bulk this soup up into a stew (with even more veggies), you can add some cubed sweet potato and roasted cauliflower florets.

1 small yellow onion, minced

3 carrots, minced

5 ribs celery, minced

2 cloves garlic (optional), minced

2 Tablespoons olive oil or coconut oil

1 Tablespoon turmeric powder

1 cup red lentils (ideally soaked overnight in order to increase digestibility)

1 can of full-fat coconut milk

4 cups veggie broth

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, minced

Salt

optional: a handful of baby spinach leaves, 1 small sweet potato, peeled and cubed, and/or half of a head of cauliflower, cut into florets. 

Instructions:

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil until it shimmers. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook on medium-low heat until veggies become translucent (about 10 minutes). You can sprinkle a little salt to prevent the veggies from burning. If using, add garlic, and cook another 2 minutes until fragrant. Add turmeric powder and cook another minute until the veggies are coated. Add the lentils, coconut milk, and veggie broth. Bring soup to a boil and then turn down the heat so the soup simmers and cook for about 30 minutes or until lentils are soft. Add salt to taste and fresh cilantro. If using, add spinach and cook another couple minutes to wilt the leaves.

Nourishing tip: To turn this soup into a stew, toss sweet potato and/or cauliflower with olive oil and salt and roast in a 400-degree oven until soft. Add these veggies to the soup and serve. 

Kitchen Doula is an Oakland-based company delivering postpartum meals to new families all over the Bay Area including the East Bay, San Francisco, Marin, and even down to the Peninsula and San Jose. They offer soup, stew, entrees, broth, and even snacks that are perfect for postpartum recovery.

At Kitchen Doula, we believe that the act of having homemade food brought to you nourishes your soul, as well as your body. We are so much more than just a food delivery service; we are here to take care of you during all the ups and downs of life. Kitchen Doula is perfect for your first months with a new baby, the period of mourning after a loss, or when recovering from illness or injury. Even if you're just a busy, working person, let us nourish you so you can take care of yourself and your family.

Learn more about all that Kitchen Doula has to offer here