Can a nursing mother have pea soup while breastfeeding?

Pea soup is usually included in the list of dishes not recommended for breastfeeding. This is due to the peculiarities of the absorption of vegetable protein, which is contained in fresh and dried peas.

Plant proteins are broken down in the body and serve as a source of useful amino acids for humans. A significant part of the amino acids obtained from peas is used to support the functioning of organs and systems, but the other part forms a protein with specific properties - it is not absorbed by the body.

This protein partially disintegrates as it passes through the intestines, causing increased gas formation. As a result, abdominal pain, gurgling, and bloating occur. However, such discomfort only threatens a nursing mother who decides to include pea soup in her menu.

Since the specific protein formed by amino acids is not absorbed by the mother’s body, it cannot pass into breast milk. And those amino acids that are passed on to the baby through milk do not form that same “harmful” protein. Thus, the baby will receive only the beneficial substances that peas and other soup ingredients are rich in.

The only danger that should be taken into account when including pea soup in a mother’s diet is an allergic reaction in the baby. But this is associated with the introduction of any new product to the menu.

Can I have green peas while breastfeeding?

The main component of pea soup is green peas - this is a healthy and tasty product that contains many valuable vitamins and microelements. Peas are rich in vitamins A, C, H, B, and also contain a lot of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, iron and chlorine.

Attention. Regular consumption of green peas significantly reduces the likelihood of diseases associated with cardiovascular work, and doctors have long proven that legumes have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and hair.

On store shelves you can find both fresh and canned peas. If canned foods are not recommended for feeding a nursing mother, then fresh peas can be eaten without fear - they will not affect the composition of milk in the breast. However, if you are worried about the well-being of the newborn, then introduce this product carefully: try a little peas in the morning and, if the child does not react at all during the day, you can safely eat it either separately or adding it to various soups and cereals.

If in its fresh form this product is allowed for the diet of a nursing mother, then what about the boiled form, namely as part of soup? Is it possible to have pea soup while breastfeeding? In Russia, pea soup is very popular and is often prepared as a hearty and tasty lunch for the whole family. It has long been proven that this dish can cause increased gas formation, so new mothers avoid eating it, fearing for the baby’s well-being.

Important! Bloating in the abdomen occurs due to the breakdown of the protein contained in peas, but this only affects women. This protein is not broken down by the body, so it simply cannot pass into breast milk and be passed on to the newborn. The baby will receive only the vitamins and nutrients contained in the soup, and the mother does not have to worry about his tummy.

Nutrition of a nursing mother during breastfeeding

When it comes to nutrition for a nursing mother, many have associations with strict rules, restrictions, strict diets and big problems for the baby if the mother ate “something wrong.”
The topic of diet during lactation is shrouded in various myths and horror stories, and young mothers usually do not know who to listen to: pediatricians, grandmothers, friends or lactation consultants.

Recommendations and opinions can be contradictory, so we’ll figure it out together.

We advise you to bookmark this page, the page will be constantly updated and links will be added describing (pros and cons) food products for a nursing woman during breastfeeding. The article contains a lot of video tips, we recommend you watch it.

What does food have to do with it?

Strictly speaking, lactation does not depend in any way on the mother’s nutrition. The process of milk production is regulated only by hormones (prolactin and oxytocin).

Breast milk itself is produced from elements of the blood plasma, so nutrition affects lactation in much the same way as the composition of the blood - very indirectly, slightly changing the content of certain elements.

Even with very poor nutrition, a woman is able to breastfeed, and the baby will not suffer from a lack of nutrients.

The body of a nursing mother is configured in such a way that everything useful and necessary for the baby ends up in the milk, and if anyone will suffer from a deficiency of necessary substances, it will be the mother herself. It turns out that a nursing mother needs to monitor her diet so that her body has enough resources for itself, since the baby will take his own in any case.

Video #1

What and how to eat for a nursing mother

The diet of a nursing mother is not much different from the diet during pregnancy, and the recommendations for organizing nutrition are similar.

It is advisable to increase the daily calorie content by 500-600 kcal compared to the normal state. If you do not go beyond these numbers, then this will not affect your figure in any way. Milk production requires increased energy expenditure, so there is room for extra calories to be spent.
It is recommended to eat often and in small portions to provide the body with a constant supply of nutrients. There is no particular point in trying to fit meals into some kind of regime; it is enough to eat according to your appetite. It's good to have something available for a snack. Considering that at first the baby spends a long time at the breast, the feeling of hunger may occur during or immediately after feeding.
The nutrition of a nursing mother after childbirth is based on the classic nutrition pyramid. The diet must include grains, meat, sometimes fish, vegetables and fruits. By and large, the more varied the diet, the better. There are no strict prohibitions, but there are some foods that you should be careful with and introduce them into your diet in a special way. They will be discussed separately.
A breastfeeding woman needs to drink enough fluids. Usually this is about 2 liters per day, but if you don’t really want to drink, you shouldn’t force water into yourself. Here it is important to find a middle ground and not get carried away with drinking water, since we are talking about a sufficient amount of liquid, and this is different for everyone, determined by weight and constitution.

Video No. 2

Hello girls) I didn’t think that the problem of stretch marks would affect me too, and I’ll also write about it))) But there’s nowhere to go, so I’m writing here: How did I get rid of stretch marks after childbirth? I will be very glad if my method helps you too...

“No” for a nursing mother

Strictly speaking, there are no strict prohibitions and restrictions on the diet of a nursing mother. However, some foods are associated with the risk of allergies in the baby, so it is better to limit their consumption and generally eat with caution.

Cow's milk protein. Contrary to popular belief about the benefits of cow's milk for babies, this product is extremely undesirable for consumption not only by the baby himself, but also by his mother. In its composition, cow's milk is very far from human milk and contains proteins foreign to our body. The consumption of whole cow's milk by the mother can create intestinal problems in the baby or cause allergies. A completely different matter is products made from fermented milk (kefir, fermented baked milk, cheese). There, the same protein is in a different, slightly modified form and is perceived by the body much better.
Vegetable protein gluten. All mothers have heard and know about gluten-free cereals for babies, but not everyone excludes this protein from their diet. Gluten is found in all cereals, with the exception of rice, buckwheat and corn. Sometimes it causes allergies, so you need to be careful with other cereals, introduce them gradually and monitor the reaction.
Chemical additives (dyes, preservatives, flavors). The body of a newborn child has not yet prepared for such “chemical attacks”, and what goes unnoticed for an adult can cause allergies in a baby.
Exotic fruits. At this point, everything depends on the region of residence. So, in Spain, oranges are used for first feeding, but in our latitudes they are considered exotic. The best option would be to eat local, seasonal fruits; this reduces the risk of an unwanted reaction.
Fruits and vegetables are red. The red pigment is a potential allergen, and in large doses. So a child can be “sprinkled” with a whole plate of strawberries or a tomato salad, but a couple of berries or spoons will do nothing. In some cases, the allergen can be eliminated altogether, for example, by cutting the skin off a red apple.

It is believed that if the mother is not allergic to anything, then the baby is unlikely to have one either. Sometimes a reaction appears completely unexpectedly to seemingly harmless and familiar foods, to certain types of fish or meat.

Attention to the child’s reactions and timely elimination of unwanted products will help avoid protracted problems.

Usually, mothers gradually expand their diet and by 6 months they no longer deny themselves anything, since the baby’s body adapts to new substances and becomes able to perceive them.

Video No. 3

Myths about nutrition while breastfeeding

There are many misconceptions about nutrition for a nursing mother that are passed from mouth to mouth and confuse mothers. Which of this is purely untrue, and which still takes place?

The more fluid enters the body of a nursing mother, the more milk there will be. We have already determined that the amount of milk depends only on the hormone prolactin, produced as a result of breastfeeding, so it is impossible to increase milk production by increasing fluid intake. However, another hormone is involved in lactation - oxytocin. It is responsible for the “flow” of milk from the breast. The release of this hormone provokes hot flashes, known to all women. A warm drink triggers the production of oxytocin in the body, so after a cup of tea it is easier to feed - the milk flows into the mouth on its own. This process does not affect the amount of milk, so if you need more milk, you do not need to adjust your diet or increase your fluid intake. The only way to achieve the effect is to put the baby to the breast more often.
Nuts increase lactation and make milk fattier. In general, the composition of breast milk is almost constant, regardless of the products consumed, and it is generally impossible to increase the fat content of milk through nutrition. Indulging in nuts does not increase the fat content of milk, but it changes the composition of fats, making the milk more viscous and, therefore, difficult for the baby to obtain.
Cucumbers, cabbage and grapes cause increased gas formation in the baby. This is not entirely a myth, such a reaction can really happen, but if the mother herself does not suffer from bloating after these foods, then the child is most likely not afraid of it either.
Onions, garlic and spices make milk tasteless. Here, too, not everything is so simple. The taste of milk may change, but this does not mean that the baby will refuse the breast, so there is no need to categorically refuse these products. In existing studies on this matter, children on breastfeeding did not neglect their mother's breasts.

Delicious and healthy pea soup for breastfeeding

You will need the following ingredients:

Dried peas, which are sold in the cereal department - 200 g.
Onions - 1 pc.
Fresh carrots - 1 pc.
Potatoes - 3 pcs.
Greens and salt to taste.

Preparation

Cover the peas with cold water and leave overnight. The next morning, rinse it and boil it in 1.5 liters of water over medium heat. You need to cook the peas for a long time - on average two hours, and then you need to drain the water and add them to the pre-prepared chicken broth. Finely chop the vegetables, add them to the soup and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes until the potatoes are soft. At the very end, the soup must be salted and finely chopped herbs added. The finished soup can be whipped with a blender until pureed - a tasty and healthy lunch is ready!

Recipes

Properly selected pea soup recipes will ensure its absorption and minimize negative reactions. In addition to the soup, mommy will need a recipe for pea porridge, which is no less healthy and nutritious.

Simple pea soup recipe

The dish is low-fat and tasty. If you grind it in a blender after cooking, you will get an excellent puree soup.

You will need:

150-200 g of dry peas;
200 g chicken, turkey or beef fillet;
1 onion and 1 carrot each;
5 potatoes;
greenery;
salt.

How to cook:

Place the peas in water for 6-8 hours and rinse.
Cook for 1.5-2 hours until done.
At the same time, cook the broth on the meat.
Peel the vegetables, chop and cook until tender.
Remove the meat, cut it and add it to the broth.
Add peas and herbs to the soup and add salt.

If you want to make a puree soup, cool the finished dish and grind it in a blender.

Recipe for pea soup in a slow cooker

A quick and easy dish with peas is prepared in a slow cooker. Not all devices are equipped with a “soup” mode. Replace it with the “quenching” program. Make soup with water or meat broth.

You will need:

2 liters of broth or water;
1.5 tbsp. dry peas;
2 onions;
1 carrot;
3 potatoes;
1 sweet pepper;
2 cloves of garlic;
sunflower oil;
salt pepper.

How to cook:

Peel the onions and carrots and chop them on a grater.
Pour sunflower oil into the multicooker bowl, add vegetables and turn on the “fry” mode for 5 minutes.
Turn off the device.
Add peeled chopped potatoes, chopped peppers, washed peas, herbs, salt, pepper.
Set the “soup” or “stew” mode for 2 hours.
Turn off the device.
Add peeled garlic cloves to the soup. Leave the dish to steep for 15 minutes.

If you cooked the soup in broth, remove the meat, cut it and put it back into the soup.

Fiction and truth about boiled peas

Despite the benefits and taste of legume products, they are perceived ambiguously by the residents of our country - many are afraid to eat beans, chickpeas and peas because they can cause stomach upset and increased gas production. Also, nursing mothers are afraid to introduce them into their diet, fearing to feed their baby later. Peas are allowed during breastfeeding; below we will tell the truth about this product and dispel common myths.

Peas are very high in calories - this is not true, this product contains only 60 kcal per 100 grams, so you can eat pea dishes without harming your figure.
Peas cause increased gas formation - this statement is correct, because, as we said earlier, this product contains vegetable proteins that are not completely broken down by the body, which causes cramps and bloating.
Boiled peas and breastfeeding are incompatible - that's a lie. This product contains cystine, which promotes milk production. It is involved in the production of oxytocin and has a beneficial effect on lactation.

General recommendations for eating peas

Pea dishes are gradually introduced into the menu of women during lactation. It is recommended to first check whether the newborn has any allergic reactions.

Each new product is tested, and only then they begin to prepare a dish such as pea soup for nursing mothers. Pediatricians give only general recommendations:

legumes are introduced into the diet no earlier than the baby is 2.5–3 months old;
Initially, peas can only be consumed boiled or steamed;
green peas can be eaten only after the child reaches the age of 8–10 months;

for the first time, the permissible volume of pea soup during breastfeeding is no more than two spoons, after which it is necessary to monitor the baby’s body’s reaction throughout the day;
if there are no negative consequences, a similar dish can be present on the menu of a nursing woman, but not more than twice a week;
if there are undesirable changes in the baby’s well-being, you should either refuse soup altogether, or consume it less often, for example, 1–2 times a month, with an assessment of the child’s reaction to this dish;
It is better to prepare the first course using dry peas: they are less likely to cause disruption in the baby’s intestines;
It is recommended to discard the canned product, since the auxiliary components in its composition can cause an allergic condition in the baby.

Each such feeding - after eating pea soup - is carefully analyzed to determine the child’s well-being.

When and how can a mother introduce peas into her diet?

Therapists recommend introducing peas into the diet of a nursing mother when the baby is at least three months old and his enzymatic system is sufficiently developed. Don’t rush into experiments so as not to harm your baby’s tummy and avoid a possible allergic reaction. Canned peas, smoked meats and dairy products should be avoided for much longer and should not be eaten until the baby is 7-8 months old, so carefully study dishes that contain peas and other legumes.

Peas for breastfeeding

Is it possible to eat peas while breastfeeding? Every mother asks herself the question. If you eat it, the benefits for women are enormous:

Boosts immunity and helps fight viral infections.
Improves calcium absorption.
Prevents the development of anemia.
Increases breast milk production.
Helps cope with headaches and bad mood.
Normalizes the functioning of the brain and central nervous system.
Cleanses the intestines of various toxins.
Eliminates swelling.
Improves skin condition.

But how will a child react if a nursing mother includes peas in her diet? After the baby is born, his body only gets acquainted with the world around him and the food that comes to him through his mother’s milk. When a young mother eats a dish that contains peas, the protein contained in it will break down into amino acids. One part of them will be used to use the correct functioning of the nursing mother’s body, and the other will end up in the intestines, where splitting will occur. The woman will experience increased gas formation. And since the baby’s digestive system is still imperfect and lacks some enzymes to break down certain foods, problems with the digestive tract can also be observed in the child.

Peas contain amino acids necessary for the full development of the body, such as cystine and tryptophan, lysine and methionine.

Also, do not forget that some babies may have an allergic reaction to legumes. Therefore, peas should be introduced into your menu gradually when the baby reaches three months of age. First, just boil the peas and try them in the first half of the day, starting with one teaspoon. Then monitor the baby’s reaction. If no negative effects are observed within 1-2 days, then you can include pea dishes in your diet and eat them once a week.

I really love pea soup, especially puree soup with smoked meats, herbs and croutons. But after the birth of the child, I understood that eating smoked foods should be postponed while I was breastfeeding the baby, but I didn’t know what to do with peas. When the baby was three months old, I tried to eat pea soup cooked in chicken broth, without frying. By evening the child developed colic. Therefore, I excluded this dish from my diet and introduced it three months later. My six-month-old daughter took the peas calmly and it no longer caused my child digestive problems.

How to properly prepare pea soup for a nursing mother?

All dishes included in the diet of a breastfed woman should be dietary, light and consist only of healthy foods. When preparing pea soup, avoid frying it in vegetable oil, and use dietary meat for the broth: turkey, chicken or beef. Also note that seasonings and spices are strictly prohibited for feeding a nursing mother - you can use a little salt and fresh herbs to make the dish taste pleasant.

How to preserve peas at home?

Try making delicious, healthy and safe canned green peas at home. You need to buy it young, soft, but large enough. Next, it is cleaned and washed. Ingredients for preparing the marinade:

water - 1 l
salt - 3 tsp.
granulated sugar - 3 tbsp. l.
citric acid - 1 tsp.

Boil water, dissolve salt and sugar, add the prepared product. Boil for 15 minutes and then add citric acid. Transfer it into sterile jars, fill with marinade, and seal tightly. Store in a cool place. These peas are delicious and tender. It can be eaten as a side dish or added to salads and soups (see Pea soup for breastfeeding).

You can preserve peas without adding the preservative citric acid using the same recipe. But then it will require longer sterilization in a jar.

Should you eat peas or not?

Peas, like other vegetables and fruits, simply cannot get into milk. We recommend that you watch the course “Safe Nutrition for a Breastfeeding Mother” >>> and dispel your doubts about nutrition.

It is worth considering that each baby reacts to foods differently. The reaction largely depends on the freshness and quality of the products consumed by the nursing mother, as well as on the amount of nitrates and preservatives contained in the food. The reaction can also be affected by the quality of water and air, and how developed the child’s enzymatic system is.

If you are afraid for the child’s condition, then introduce peas, like any other product, gradually. This will help avoid unpleasant moments. Eat a new food at the beginning of the day. If the baby reacted normally to peas and his condition has not changed, then you can safely eat peas.

Nutritional value of peas and its chemical composition

What we know about peas is everything and nothing. One thing is known: peas grew back “under King Pea,” and archaeological excavations have confirmed that they already existed in the Stone Age. Ancient Greece and India are considered its homeland. In Rus', peas were known in ancient times; they were one of the main dishes of the people of that time. They cooked porridge from it, ground it into flour, and made soup. Legends and myths were written about him, Slavic wedding rituals and ceremonies were performed with his help, even in his honor there was a holiday called “Pea Day”.

Peas are a very valuable source of vegetable protein, carbohydrates and vitamins.

Peas are an annual plant that belongs to the legume family. It is unpretentious, and to plant it on the site, it is enough to choose a place where the shoots will get a lot of light and moisture. And despite the fact that this culture is growing everywhere, this does not diminish its merits. After all, it’s just a “green pill.”

Peas contain:

high protein content;
vitamins A, C, K, PP, B1, B5, B6;
macroelements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, fluorine, phosphorus;
trace elements selenium, iron, aluminum, copper, iodine, chromium, fluorine, silicon, manganese, zinc.

Peas are a nutritious and low-calorie product, and in terms of vegetable protein content they are on the second step of the podium among vegetable crops. Pea protein is not inferior to beef, but is absorbed much faster, thanks to essential amino acids such as lysine, cystine, methionine, tryptophan.

The deficiency of complete proteins, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and minerals (phosphorus, calcium, iron, etc.) can be compensated for by products of plant origin, in which the content of biologically active substances is increased. Thus, the lack of complete proteins contained in milk, eggs, meat and fish can be compensated by frequent consumption of soups and purees from legumes, especially peas.
Nikolaeva M.A.
https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/osobennosti-zdorovogo-pitaniya-vo-vremya-posta