SingaporeMotherhood | Parenting

May 2019

How to Nourish Your Body at Every Stage of Motherhood

Mothers have an amazing ability to think on their feet while running around all day. They make sure everyone in the family is cared for, often at the expense of their own well-being. And this is on top of everything they go through to bring their beloved children into this world! But Mums, your family can only thrive if you take care of yourself too. It’s crucial that you nourish your body at every stage of motherhood, starting from pre-conception.

Trying to Conceive

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Promote regular ovulation by upping your intake of plant-based fat, such as that found in avocado and nuts. A good supply of the antioxidant glutathione in fruits and veggies can also help boost egg quality.

Reduce inflammation and replenish good bacteria in your gut and genital organs by taking probiotic supplements. They can also be found in foods such as organic yogurt with live active cultures, kombucha, kefir, and fermented vegetables.

Start taking folic acid, or increase intake of folate-rich foods such as brown rice and asparagus. It’s needed in the production of cells and DNA and helps reduce risk of certain birth defects.

Take Chicken Essence for Pregnancy Plan (想孕). Taken both before and after ovulation, it contains herbs that nourish the Yin element. This chicken essence also helps the body build a warm constitution ideal for conceiving.

While Pregnant

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No, you shouldn’t literally ‘eat for two’ in terms of quantity, but rather, focus on increasing your nutrient intake. And the easy way to do that is simply to eat clean!

This means relying on healthy eating principles of the old days – wholesome homemade meals and snacking on fresh, whole foods. Limit processed foods, saturated fats and added sugar.

Include a variety of fruits, veggies and whole grains, legumes (nuts and seeds), and full-fat dairy products. Consume quality proteins such as cold-water fish full of healthy fats and moderate amounts of lean meats. Chicken essence is also a good protein source.

Take Original Chicken Essence (原味). It contains herbs to help replenish Qi and blood. This chicken essence is also rich in good protein and essential amino acids that are easily absorbed. Low in fat, it will nourish both mummy and foetus without causing you excess weight gain.

Take Chicken Essence for Digestion (四神). It contains herbs beneficial for the spleen and stomach, organs responsible for the transportation and absorption of nutrients. Nourish them first so that you and the baby can receive better nutrition.

(See also: Tian Yuan Xiang Chicken Essence offers Optimal Nourishment for Pregnancy and Beyond)

During Confinement

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The month of confinement is possibly the stage of motherhood that Asians focus on the most. The idea is that postpartum mums suffered blood loss in childbirth and their bodies are extra vulnerable to cold.

Hence the confinement diet traditionally includes lots of ‘warming’ ingredients such as old ginger, sesame oil, wine and black vinegar. Use these in conjunction with lean meats, which contain lots of iron.

Greens are important too. Spinach is rich in calcium, while fenugreek leaves can help increase breastmilk production. It’s important for breastfeeding mums in particular to stay hydrated. For the Chinese, red dates tea is typically the traditional drink of choice as it’s a tonic for the blood.

Take Chicken Essence with Vaccaria Seed (王不留行). It contains herbs believed to promote lactation and prevent mastitis. For mums experiencing post-delivery aches in their waist and back, this chicken essence also boosts kidney Qi to help you feel better.

Young Mums

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Mothers of babies and young children often struggle with sleep deprivation. Keeping iron levels up is one of the keys to boosting energy and overall health. Lean meats and fish, and dark green leafy veggies like spinach and kale, are good sources of iron.

Life can be stressful for a mother who’s constantly juggling schedules and housework, often while building a career as well. Antioxidants in blueberries and strawberries, and potassium in bananas and beets can help keep hypertension at bay.

Maintain a good intake of soluble fibre by loading up on whole grains, high-fibre fruit, beans and legumes, eggplant, okra and kale, and fatty fish. These increase heart-healthy HDL cholesterol while lowering artery-clogging LDL cholesterol.

Take Chicken Essence with Nourishments (石斛). Lack of sleep leads to internal heat rising, causing conditions such as constipation. This chicken essence replenishes body fluids to relieve the conditions caused by internal heat, while boosting energy levels.

Mature Mums

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Women need lots of calcium in their diet to help reduce risk of osteoporosis. This is particularly important for menopausal and post-menopausal mamas. Calcium-rich foods include dairy products, tofu, sardines, and calcium-fortified cereals.

You also need magnesium and vitamin D for your body to properly utilise calcium. Find magnesium in broccoli, cucumber, quinoa and various nuts. Good sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, eggs, and of course, good old sunshine!

Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish are crucial to brain function. They not only lower blood pressure, but are also known to enhance memory and slow mental decline. Superfoods like blueberries may also aid in keeping Alzheimer’s disease and age-related dementia at bay.

Take Chicken Essence with Cordyceps (冬虫夏草). It contains herbs such as red dates, goji berries and cordyceps that are believed to enrich Qi-blood and lungs. It also helps boost and maintain energy levels to keep fatigue at bay.

Nourish Your Body at Every Stage of Motherhood

Tian Yuan Xiang Chicken Essence

Yes, one convenient way to help nourish your body at every stage of motherhood is to supplement your diet with Tian Yuan Xiang Chicken Essence (田原香滴鸡精). Whether you’re a mum-to-be, new or mature mother, there’s a variety just for you. There are even options for daddies and kiddos! You and your family can all benefit from a powerful concoction of nutrients brewed using organic chickens and nourishing Chinese herbs.

From 30 May to 16 June 2019, save up to $39.50 per box in Tian Yuan Xiang’s Customer Appreciation Sale!

Tian Yuan Xiang Chicken Essence sale

In other words, the more you buy, the more you save! No space in your freezer? No worries, simply arrange for partial delivery service and Tian Yuan Xiang will deliver the remainder at your request.

Click here to put in your order today!

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This post is freshly brewed together with Tian Yuan Xiang (田原香).

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How to Nourish Your Body at Every Stage of Motherhood