Food to Avoid During Confinement

You might be wondering why there is a need to follow a diet plan after childbirth. Now that the pregnancy is over, surely you can eat all the food that you have avoided, right? The truth is this. Many changes occur after childbirth and the body needs to heal.

Adhering to a diet that provides the necessary nutrients to promote healing and recovery for the mother is therefore essential. Furthermore, taking care of a newborn can be exhausting, and a healthy diet can provide the energy and stamina needed to care for the baby.

Not forgetting that breast milk can transfer whatever you eat to your child, mother should therefore continue to carefully control your confinement diet even after giving birth.

Foods to Avoid During Confinement


Here is a list of food to avoid during confinement period:

  • Raw or cold food: Raw or undercooked food, especially meats, poultry, seafood, and eggs, can contain harmful bacteria or viruses that can cause foodborne illness, such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. These pathogens can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, and dehydration, which can be especially dangerous for individuals with weakened immune systems.
  • Spicy or pungent food: Spicy or pungent food are considered "heaty" and may cause symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion, discomfort, or constipation, which can be uncomfortable or even harmful during the postpartum period.
  • Seafood: Seafood, especially shellfish, is believed to be cold and difficult to digest, which can cause bloating, gas and diarrhoea. Some seafood contains high levels of mercury that can affect brain and nervous system development in babies. Therefore, try to stay away from seafood for best safety.
  • Processed food: Processed food are often high in calories and low in nutrients, which can lead to overconsumption and weight gain. Moreover, processed food can also lead to digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, and discomfort. This is because processed food often lack fibre and other essential nutrients that are necessary for proper digestion and gut health. In postpartum confinement, a diet consisting of primarily processed food can be especially harmful as the body is recovering from childbirth and needs proper nutrition to heal and support lactation.
  • Caffeine and alcohol: Caffeine and alcohol can be dehydrating and can affect milk production. caffeine does leak into breast milk that can affect the central nervous system and may interfere with sleep patterns and restlessness of babies. Alcohol can be dehydrating and may interfere with the body's natural healing and recovery processes. For postpartum women, alcohol consumption can also affect the quality and quantity of breast milk.

The key is to act sensibly and consume food in moderation. As long as a balanced diet is maintained throughout your confinement period, the claimed "negative effects" should be minimal and safe for you and your baby.

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