5 steps to fill your freezer with healing postpartum foods
What I learned very quickly after having my first baby was that planning for postpartum was just as important (if not more so!) than planning for labour, delivery, and what I would need for baby. Planning for postpartum can help you thrive with a newborn, have supports in place to lean on, reduce stress and frustration, and give you more time to rest and nest.
One of the absolute best ways to prep for postpartum is to spend some time stocking your freezer with nutrient-dense meals that take the pressure off when baby arrives. Having a freezer full of done-for-you meals means less grocery shopping, less food prep, and less cooking with a newborn – yes please!
Here are 5 steps for getting it done.
Step 1: Schedule the time
Schedule the time to cook meals for postpartum like you would schedule your prenatal class. Plan to spend 2 full days (or break this down however you want – maybe 2 hours each weekend for a month) prepping, cooking, and getting that freezer stocked for future you. Mark it in your calendar!
When picking your fill-the-freezer days, consider doing it in your 7th month or early in your 8th – you’re not too close to you due date (in case baby comes early), and you’re not too far away either (because we still want your meals to taste as fresh and delicious as possible for the first couple of months postpartum).
Step 2: Get reinforcements
I get it – spending time on your feet, expending extra energy – sometimes it feels like a lot! So why not enlist helpers? Here are some ideas:
Have friends expecting around the same time as you? Do it together (to cut the time in half) or divide and conquer: You each do a few meals in your own homes, make double of everything, and share!
Invite your parent, sibling, friend, or co-worker over. Trust me when I say you have people in your life who genuinely want to be there for you right now. Plus, asking them is a great way to practise asking for help (an important skill for postpartum).
Step 3: Make your plan
Questions to answer to make a postpartum freezer-prep plan:
What recipes are you going to make?
Will you make single, double, or triple servings of each recipe?
How will you want to freeze your meals and snacks? In single serving containers, or in large family-style containers?
What groceries do you need to have on hand to get it done?
Step 4: Do an inventory of your storage tools
Before you cook, make sure you have enough storage containers, bags, and labels to get you through your cooking days. Here’s what I look for:
Glass storage containers in multiple sizes so that you can freeze meals and snacks in single-serving or weeks-worth sizes.
Large freezer bags. For some recipes, it just makes more sense to use freezer bags instead of glass containers. Individually wrapped snacks, meatballs, and anything that needs to be frozen flat is easier in a bag.
Labels and permanent markers. It’s on the top of your mind now, but the hazy newborn days have a way of making you forget what exactly you have in your freezer Here’s what I do:
Label each meal with the recipe name + reheating instructions
Keep a “Postpartum Freezer Meals Master List” on hand and visible to any postpartum helper. Cross off what’s gone so you always know what’s there.
Step 5: Prep your space, and yourself!
For a stress-free food prep session, it’s worth it to start with a clean kitchen so that you’ve got all of your counter space and kitchen tools to work with.
Get out your comfy slippers and jogging pants and get ready to cook! Get in the mood by turning on your favourite tunes and make plans to relax and unwind when you’re done to celebrate a job well done!
To get you started, here’s a postpartum healing recipe full of nourishing ingredients that’s simple to make and perfect for the freezer.
Postpartum Pumpkin Curry with Lentils
This curry recipe is perfect for postpartum – it has a base of bone broth and coconut milk (which is a great source of the essential fat we need for nutrient repletion!), its warming for the body and easy to digest (important for a body that just gave birth!) and is easy to eat.
What you need:
1 heaping tbsp (15 mL) coconut oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 onion, diced
1 ½ tsp (7 mL) curry powder (red or yellow)
¼ tsp (1 mL) ground ginger
¼ tsp (1 mL) turmeric
2 tbsp (30 mL) tomato paste
2 cups (500 mL) bone broth
1 can coconut milk (full fat)
1 cup (250 mL) pumpkin puree
1 cup (250 mL) red lentils
½ tsp (2 mL) sea salt
How to make it:
Heat coconut oil in large pot over medium heat. When melted, add the garlic and onion and sauté, 3 minutes until onion is translucent.
Add spices and tomato paste, and cook, 1 minute, stirring frequently.
Add remaining ingredients, bring to a simmer, and let cook, 20 minutes or until lentils are soft.
Transfer to glass jars or storage containers, then move to freezer once cool.
About the Author
Lindsay Taylor, MA, CNE
Lindsay is a cookbook author, doula and expert in culinary nutrition for pregnancy and postpartum who stands out for her real-food for real-life approach to pregnancy eating which focuses on helping women eat what they feel like and feel confident they’re getting in the nutrition they need.
For more real-food for real-life strategies for a healthy pregnancy and postpartum, follow Lindsay on Instagram @the.food.doula and pre-order The Food Doula Cookbook, available now!
