Is it possible to eat buckwheat while breastfeeding?

Nutrition during lactation is a pressing problem for many young mothers: some foods are prohibited, others are subject to serious restrictions. In the list of the few things that a nursing woman is allowed to eat, a special place is given to buckwheat.

In the article we will look at the beneficial properties of this cereal, find out the effect on breast milk production, possible limitations and contraindications.

Useful properties of buckwheat

Buckwheat is distinguished by a rich set of useful substances. Among them:

• rutin - has a positive effect on the condition of the heart and blood vessels, in pharmacology it is used as a prophylactic against vitamin deficiency;
• lysine - necessary for proper absorption of calcium;
• dietary fiber - normalizes the digestive process, gives a long-lasting feeling of satiety;
• copper - responsible for the health of nails, skin and hair;
• calcium and phosphorus are building materials for bone tissue;
• B vitamins - participate in metabolic processes and strengthen the nervous system.

Many women experience iron deficiency anemia after childbirth. Eating buckwheat will improve the condition, but will not completely solve the problem, since the grain contains a non-heme form of the microelement - it is absorbed by the body worse than iron in animal products (liver, beef, turkey) and medications.

How does buckwheat affect lactation?

For stable lactation, a balanced diet is required.Buckwheat is one of the first products that is introduced into the diet of a young mother immediately after childbirth.

The advantages of this cereal are its good digestibility, the absence of allergens (in particular, gluten) and the peculiarities of growing raw materials. Thus, when cultivating buckwheat, no chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used, and it is one of the few products that has not been subjected to genetic modification.

Whether buckwheat improves the quantity and quality of breast milk is not known for certain, however, there are no direct contraindications to its use. The positive effect on lactation is rather indirect - the nursing mother receives the necessary nutrients, and her body is ready to produce milk.

Is it possible for a nursing mother to eat buckwheat?

Introducing buckwheat into the menu during the period of establishing breastfeeding is not only possible, but also necessary.

Buckwheat porridge is hypoallergenic, gives a long-lasting feeling of satiety, and does not cause sudden surges in blood sugar or fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the mother does not have to worry that what she eats will cause colic in the baby or cause allergies.

In any form

When cooked, the carbohydrates in buckwheat are destroyed into practically useless starch, and the concentration of vitamins and minerals decreases sharply. To avoid this, it is better to steam the cereal: rinse thoroughly, pour boiling water in a ratio of 1:2 and leave overnight.

Another way to get a healthier product is to toast the grains in a dry, hot frying pan, and then chew the grains like seeds. Many people prone to anemia come to this recipe intuitively.

Important! In the first months of lactation, nutritionists advise avoiding whole milk, so buckwheat porridge with milk or butter is prohibited.

Which

For the menu during lactation, choose kernel - whole buckwheat grains. Done, flour and cereal can also be present in the diet, but solely for the sake of variety, since they have less benefit.

To find out which grain has been more processed, just compare the color: darker brown buckwheat was fried or steamed longer - its chemical composition is poorer. Cereals of a light beige hue are preferable - their properties are closer to whole grains.

Reference. The popular green buckwheat is causing controversy among pediatricians. On the one hand, it contains 30% more vitamins and minerals than brown. On the other hand, the product can cause digestive upset in mother and child.

Are there alternative products?

The fundamental rule of healthy eating is variety of foods. Therefore, buckwheat is replaced from time to time with alternative cereals. For example, rice or corn. However, be careful: rice can lead to constipation, and corn can cause flatulence.

If cereals cause such reactions, green or white vegetables are a great option: zucchini, potatoes, cauliflower and broccoli. They can be stewed or steamed.

Consumption of buckwheat depending on the feeding period

The older the baby, the more varied his mother’s menu becomes. Therefore, the nutrition of a nursing woman largely depends on the age of her child.

In the first month

In the first month after childbirth, the most severe restrictions are imposed on a woman’s diet. The baby's digestive system is not yet sufficiently developed; there are not enough enzymes in the stomach.

The main task during this period is to avoid allergens. As one of the safest foods, buckwheat forms the basis of the menu: it can be eaten for breakfast, added to soup and used as a side dish.

In the second

Gradually, the mother's diet expands, but many babies suffer from colic. High carbohydrate foods can cause them. Therefore, instead of cereals, vegetable stews are preferable. Buckwheat allows 3-4 times a week, 150-200 g per serving.

On the third

The menu is becoming even more diverse. As a side dish, buckwheat can be replaced with pearl barley and millet porridge, pasta, and rice. New products introduce the baby to a variety of tastes and help the mother not fall off the diet.

On the fourth

As a rule, by the end of the third month, babies' colic goes away and there is no need for a strict diet.. A woman can afford to eat the way she wants (excluding alcohol and fast food). For example, add milk and butter to buckwheat porridge.

However, if your goal is to lose excess weight gained during pregnancy, steamed buckwheat without salt and sugar in combination with low-fat kefir is a great way to regain your slim figure.

Rules for introducing buckwheat into the diet of a nursing mother

All products, including buckwheat, are introduced into the menu gradually. It is important to monitor the baby's reaction in order to identify allergens at an early stage and avoid them in the future.

A food diary will help with this: they record what, when and in what quantity the mother ate and how this affected the child’s well-being.

How often to use and in what form

Start eating buckwheat with a few tablespoons a day. If after 24 hours the baby does not experience any undesirable reactions (abnormal bowel movements, bloating, redness), the portion is doubled. This procedure is repeated until the mother eats 150 g of buckwheat porridge per day.

The optimal frequency is 3-4 times a week; on other days the product is replaced with other cereals, pasta, and potatoes.

Recipes with buckwheat for nursing

The neutral taste of buckwheat provides a wide field for culinary imagination. Cereals can be an independent dish, a side dish, a seasoning for soups, and even a dessert.

Buckwheat soup

We offer a lighter, lean version of the dish. You can use a second chicken or beef broth if desired.

Ingredients:

• 1.5-2 liters of water;
• 100 g buckwheat;
• 2 potatoes;
• 1 carrot;
• 1 tbsp. l. vegetable oil;
• 1 bay leaf;
• salt and herbs - to taste.

Preparation:

1. Sort the grains and rinse until the water becomes clear. Peel the potatoes and cut into cubes.
2. Place buckwheat and potatoes into boiling water. Cook for 15-20 minutes.
3. Grate the carrots and simmer in vegetable oil until soft. Add to soup and leave over medium heat for another 5 minutes.
4. Season the soup with salt and bay leaf. Let it brew.
5. Serve with finely chopped greens.

Buckwheat with beef and vegetables in a slow cooker

For sustainable lactation, a nursing mother needs protein, and not only vegetable protein. Beef is preferable during this period - it acts as an additional source of well-absorbed iron.

The recipe saves time - place the ingredients in the multicooker bowl, set the mode and do other things while the device prepares the dish.

Ingredients:

• 250 g beef;
• 1 tbsp. buckwheat;
• 1 carrot;
• 2 sweet peppers;
• 0.5 zucchini;
• 2 tbsp. l. vegetable oil;
• 2 tbsp. water;
• salt and herbs - to taste.

Preparation:

1. Wash the beef, dry it and cut into small slices. Fry on vegetable oil for 10 minutes on the “Fry” mode without closing the multicooker lid. Thanks to the resulting crust, the liquid will be “sealed” inside the pieces, and the meat will be more juicy.
2. Add grated carrots, diced zucchini and bell peppers.Continue cooking in the “Frying” mode for another 5 minutes, but with the lid on.
3. Add sorted and washed buckwheat to the meat and carrots, add salt and water. Mix everything thoroughly. Depending on the model of the device, set the “Grain” or “Buckwheat” mode. Approximate cooking time is 35 minutes.
4. 5 minutes before readiness, add chopped herbs.

This dish will be more healthy if the meat is cooked separately from the grains - in this case, we reduce the amount of water by half. Serve the finished beef with steamed buckwheat.

Steamed buckwheat

These buckwheat porridge cutlets with minced meat are good both hot and cold. Steamed buckwheat is tender and nutritious.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pre-steamed buckwheat;
• 500 g turkey meat;
• 1 egg;
• salt - to taste.

Preparation:

1. Wash the turkey and cut into pieces. Grind the meat in a blender or pass through a meat grinder.
2. Add buckwheat porridge, egg and salt. To stir thoroughly.
3. Form cutlets. To do this, pinch the minced meat with your hands soaked in cold water and beat it a little, throwing it between your palms - this will help get rid of excess moisture and the buckwheat will keep its shape better.
4. Place the cutlets in a double boiler or in a special multicooker form. Cook for 30 minutes.

Turkey is an excellent substitute for minced chicken. For juiciness, you can add half an onion, grated.

Buckwheat casserole with cottage cheese

This dish will not take much time, but will add variety to your usual diet. The casserole can be served for breakfast or afternoon snack.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. steamed buckwheat;
• 200 g cottage cheese;
• 2 eggs;
• 100 g sour cream;
• sugar, salt - to taste.

Preparation:

1. Rub the cottage cheese through a sieve and mix with the prepared buckwheat porridge.
2. Beat sour cream and eggs. Salt and sweeten to taste.
3. Mix both masses and place in a baking dish.
4. Cook in an oven preheated to 180°C for 15-20 minutes.

Baked apples with buckwheat

This dessert is allowed from 3-4 months of lactation, when the mother can afford a small portion of nuts and honey.

In an earlier period, you can do without these ingredients, but with them the dish tastes better.

Ingredients:

• 2 green apples (Antonovka, Granny Smith, Golden);
• 2-3 tbsp. l. steamed buckwheat;
• 2 tbsp. l. chopped walnuts;
• 1 tbsp. l. raisins;
• 2 tbsp. l. honey

Preparation:

1. Soak raisins in cold water.
2. Wash the apples and dry them. Using a teaspoon or a special tool, carefully remove the core.
3. Mix buckwheat porridge with raisins, nuts and honey. Stuff apples with filling.
4. Bake at 180°C for 30 minutes. The apples should be golden and the filling should be crispy.

Walnuts are one of the first to be introduced into a nursing mother's diet (in the 2-3rd month of lactation), because they are less allergenic than hazelnuts, almonds and others. A handful of dried fruits a couple of times a week will not cause harm even at first.

Buckwheat milk

In the first couple of months of breastfeeding, whole cow's milk is prohibited. Buckwheat milk drink is a great alternative. It can be added to tea, porridge or drunk on its own.

Ingredients:

• 60 g green buckwheat;
• 300 ml boiled water.

Preparation:

1. Sort and rinse the cereals, pour two glasses of clean cold water and leave to swell for 5-6 hours. You can do this overnight, but it is better to periodically change the water to fresh water so that the cereal does not sour.
2. Rinse the infused buckwheat again. Let the water drain.
3. Beat in a blender at high speed, adding boiled cold water in small portions.
4. Strain the resulting mass through a sieve or double folded gauze. Buckwheat milk is ready.
5. It can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 12 hours.

Contraindications and possible consequences of use

Moderate consumption of buckwheat will not cause harm to healthy people. But for a number of diseases, abuse of the product contraindicated:

• liver and kidney failure;
• pancreatitis;
• gastric and duodenal ulcers in the acute stage;
• increased blood clotting.

Buckwheat should be introduced into the diet of diabetics and hypertensive patients with caution. The starch in cereals increases glucose levels, and the ability to dilate blood vessels aggravates problems with blood pressure.

Important! As a rule, such patients are prescribed special dietary tables. Please consult with your doctor about any changes, including those related to breastfeeding.

Can buckwheat cause allergies or colic in a child?

Buckwheat does not contain gluten, therefore refers to hypoallergenic cereals. This is one of the cereals recommended for the first feeding of babies.

But besides gluten, other substances also cause undesirable reactions. For example, the body can reject dietary protein (albumin, prolamin, globulin, glutelin, etc.). Buckwheat is 14-16% protein, so allergies to it are not as rare as it seems.

Along with breast milk, the baby also receives traces of the foods that the mother eats. In this case, food can be well absorbed by a woman, but provoke allergies in a baby whose immune system has not yet been formed.

Typical symptoms: skin rash, lacrimation, conjunctivitis, indigestion, runny nose. When they occur, buckwheat and other possible allergens are excluded from the mother’s diet.

Colic is the most common problem in infants. The immature digestive system experiences enormous stress, which leads to increased gas formation. In addition to special exercises and carminatives, this period will make it easier for a nursing mother to follow her diet. Although buckwheat is easily digestible and contains less starch than many other cereals, its excessive consumption provokes discomfort in both mother and baby. For this reason, it is important to observe moderation.

Advice from pediatricians

In order for buckwheat to benefit a nursing mother and baby, pediatricians advise adhering to the following rules:

• daily norm - up to 150 g of ready-made porridge, frequency - up to three times a week;
• begin to introduce the product with a couple of tablespoons per day, gradually increasing the portion;
• cereals must be of high quality and within the expiration date;
• to remove foreign impurities and spoiled grains, buckwheat is sorted;
• Steamed porridge is healthier than boiled porridge.

Conclusion

Buckwheat is an indispensable product during lactation: it contains a whole range of beneficial nutrients, is easily digestible, affordable and easy to prepare. To avoid colic in your baby, consume buckwheat in moderation, alternate with other cereals, and combine wisely with plant and protein foods.

The most reliable way to prevent food allergies is to keep a food diary. This way you can identify the allergen in the early stages and eliminate it from your diet.