Postpartum Energy Balls
When we think about a family that has just welcomed a new baby into the world, often the first thing that comes to mind is “what can we get for baby?” A great and thoughtful question to ask, but truth be told, baby doesn’t need a whole lot in the beginning, aside from nourishment and a loving place to sleep. Oh, and a heck of a lot of diapers! In the early days it’s the new parents who need the most support, best provided via nourishing meals, helping with household chores or babysitting an older child.
In my opinion, healthy meals and snacks are the best way to shower a new momma with gifts. Especially if mom is breastfeeding, hunger can strike at any moment, so having ready-to-grab, healthy snacks on hand is a must! When I had Jude, a good friend of mine dropped off some energy balls on my doorstep and they were perfect for keeping in fridge or on my night stand for middle of the night snacking!
I made this energy ball recipe to include nutrients that we so desperately need during the postpartum period:
Walnuts: Containing the highest amount of omega-3 fat of any nut, walnuts are a great addition to postpartum snacks for their amount of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). Omega-3s are so important for mom to consume as her stores are greatly depleted in the third trimester in order for babies brain to grow. More importantly moms intake will impact her breastmilk and therefor impact baby. So consuming foods rich in Omega 3s (DHA, EPA + ALA) is so important.
Brazil Nuts: One of the best dietary sources of selenium, an important mineral that works in balance with iodine to maintain healthy thyroid function. A deficiency in selenium can put mom at greater risk for postpartum thyroid disfunction, so finding ways to incorporate brazil nuts into your diet is a must.
Spirulina: This amazing sea algae is a great source of vitamin A, K1, K2, B12, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese and is chalk full of antioxidants, helpful for supporting healthy immune function. It has also been studied for its been studied for its ability to promote cell regeneration which is incredibly important after labour and delivery.
Chia Seeds: A great source of calcium with roughly 250 mg in just a 1/4 cup of chia seeds. Calcium consumption is extremely important postpartum as the body will pull from moms stores in order to enrich breastmilk, so proper consumption can reduce moms risk of osteoporosis and supports in muscle and heart health. Chia seeds also contain protein, B vitamins, potassium and zinc (vital for healthy immune function) and are a a good source of healthy fat in the form of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid).
Cacao Powder: One of the richest sources of polyphenols, cacao powder is full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Cacao is also a rich source of magnesium which is very important in the postpartum period. If moms levels are deficient, it can put her at risk for long term health issues like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
If you’re planning to make these for yourself or a friend (I sure hope you are) once you stock your pantry with the essentials, these energy balls are super quick and easy to make.
Recipe:
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 brazil nuts
1/4 cacao powder
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 1/2 cups of pitted dates (roughly 14)
1 tsp spirulina
1 TBSP nut butter
1 TBSP maple syrup
Add nuts to a food processor until finely ground. Then, add remaining ingredients and blend. Roll into TBSP size balls and set in the freezer for up to an hour. You can store these in the fridge for about a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
I hope you like these as much as i do! If you do make them, please let me know what you think!