Top 10 Highly Nutritious Porridges for Postpartum Mothers

Dog meat is known for its ability to promote blood circulation, enhance milk production, reduce inflammation, and improve the health of those who are weak or have kidney deficiency. Along with rice, the dog paw porridge is usually simmered with Dinh Lang leaves. These three ingredients together help strengthen the stomach, prevent damage, enhance blood flow, improve milk production, detoxify, reduce swelling, and stimulate uterine contractions to expel retained blood after childbirth.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 black dog paws
• 100-150g sticky rice
• 20-30g Dinh Lang leaves

Instructions:

• Clean the dog paws, dry them, then roast them lightly and make vertical cuts; wash the Dinh Lang leaves and sticky rice.
• Boil the Dinh Lang leaves with 500-600ml water on low heat for 10-15 minutes, then strain out the extract.
• Add the Dinh Lang extract, rice, and dog paws into the pot, cook on low heat until everything is tender, then season to taste.
• Consume warm throughout the day and continue until milk production starts. Occasionally repeat.

This remedy helps nourish the liver, strengthen the spleen, improve kidney function, invigorate the blood, stimulate milk production, and reduce inflammation. It is ideal for postpartum women who are experiencing weak blood flow, low or no milk production, clogged milk ducts, or breast inflammation. Dinh Lang leaves are neutral in taste, mildly bitter, and have detoxifying, blood-enriching, and milk-stimulating properties. Sticky rice is sweet, warm, and helps strengthen the spleen and stomach, preventing damage and enhancing milk flow. When combined, these ingredients work together to nourish the liver, spleen, and kidneys, improve blood circulation, and stimulate milk production.

According to traditional medicine, carp has a neutral nature, sweet taste, and benefits the organs, spleen, promotes urination, reduces swelling, stimulates milk production, and treats coughs. It is also highly beneficial for pregnant women. Carp porridge is a nutritious and tasty dish, perfect for postpartum mothers.

Ingredients:

• 300 grams of carp
• 200 grams of white rice
• 75 grams of green beans
• A pinch of fish sauce, salt, cooking oil, shallots, ginger, spring onions, dill

Instructions:

• Clean the carp, remove the scales and guts, and boil with ginger and dill to reduce the fishy smell.
• Once the fish is cooked, separate the meat from the bones, blend the bones to extract the stock, and marinate the fish meat with a tablespoon of fish sauce, pepper, and seasoning for 5 minutes.
• Wash the rice and green beans, add them to a pot of water along with the carp bone stock and a pinch of salt. Stir well and cook.
• Once the porridge is cooked, add the fish meat, stir well, and adjust seasoning before turning off the heat.
• Garnish with chopped spring onions and your nutritious porridge is ready.

Pork heart contains valuable nutrients such as protein, lipids, calcium, potassium, and iron. It is also a rich source of essential vitamins like Vitamin A and B. Scientific studies have shown that consuming pork heart can help nourish and strengthen the body. Therefore, it is an excellent choice for postpartum mothers to regain their health.

Ingredients:

• 500g pork heart
• 200g white rice
• 30g shallots
• 30g spring onions
• 50ml cooking oil
• 10g seasoning powder
• 10g salt
• 10g MSG
• 10g pepper
• 10ml fish sauce

Instructions:

• Prepare the ingredients: Wash the rice thoroughly, then soak it in water for 30 minutes to soften. If using a whole pork heart, cut it in half. Place it in a clean bowl, sprinkle with some salt, and rub the heart thoroughly with your hands to remove impurities. Rinse it 2-3 times with water to remove the salt. Clean the spring onions and chop them finely. Then, slice the pork heart into thin pieces and marinate with minced shallots, seasoning powder, pepper, fish sauce, and mix well. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
• Sauté the pork heart: Heat a pan with 2 tablespoons of oil. Once hot, add the marinated pork heart and stir-fry until cooked through.
• Cook the porridge: In a pot, add 1.5 liters of clean water and the soaked rice. Cook until the rice expands. Then, add 50ml of water and continue cooking until the porridge is soft. Season to taste and turn off the heat. Stir the porridge regularly to prevent it from burning.
• Finish the dish: Serve the porridge in a bowl, add the sautéed pork heart, top with chopped spring onions, sprinkle some pepper for aroma, and enjoy.

Black sesame is a highly nutritious food. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, black sesame, known as hắc chi ma, is used in remedies for bone health, aiding in childbirth, and promoting calmness. It is a common ingredient in many dishes, benefiting pregnant women and, after childbirth, helping to increase milk production for breastfeeding mothers.

Ingredients:

• 30g black sesame
• 100g white rice
• 50g glutinous rice
• 100g lean pork
• Oil and seasonings

Instructions:

• Grind the rice and black sesame. Mince or finely chop the lean pork, then season it with salt and fish sauce and stir-fry in oil until cooked.
• In a pot, add water to the rice and sesame and simmer until the porridge is soft. Add the cooked pork and stir well. Allow the porridge to come to a boil again. Eat 2-3 times a day on an empty stomach for 3-5 consecutive days.

Glutinous rice porridge with red dates and wood ear mushrooms is highly recommended for women, especially new mothers, due to the excellent benefits of red dates and wood ear mushrooms. These ingredients help nourish the blood, treat hair loss, dizziness, and fatigue. In addition, they improve skin complexion, benefit the internal organs, and help reduce freckles and blemishes on the face.

Ingredients:

• 100g glutinous rice
• 15 red dates
• 15g wood ear mushrooms
• Seasonings

Instructions:

• Preparation: Rinse the rice and soak it for about 30 minutes to soften. Soak the wood ear mushrooms in hot water to rehydrate, then wash, slice, and cut them into small pieces. Rinse the red dates and set them aside.
• In a pot, add enough water and bring it to a boil. Add the soaked rice and cook. When the water starts to boil, add the red dates and wood ear mushrooms. Cook until the porridge is soft, then add a spoonful of brown sugar and season to taste. Remove from heat and serve.

New mothers should consume two bowls a day, once a week, to ensure proper nutrients for breastfeeding. Optionally, you can add lotus seeds to the porridge for added nutrition.

Lotus seeds are renowned for their health benefits, particularly for women during pregnancy and after childbirth. Not only are they a nutrient-rich food that can be prepared in various delicious dishes, but lotus seeds also serve as a valuable traditional remedy. They help to nourish the body, calm the mind, and are effective in treating insomnia, promoting intelligence in babies, enhancing skin health, preventing aging, and improving breast shape post-delivery.

Ingredients:

• 200g chicken meat
• 100g lotus seeds
• 100g fragrant rice
• 30g glutinous rice
• 30g mung beans
• 1 small carrot
• Spring onions, shallots
• Perilla leaves
• Black pepper
• Fish sauce, seasoning powder, cooking oil

Instructions:

• Soak the lotus seeds and mung beans for 2 hours until they expand. Rinse the fragrant rice and glutinous rice, then soak them for 20 minutes. If making porridge for a baby, you can crush the rice a bit. Cooking glutinous rice with the chicken and lotus seeds will give the porridge a fragrant aroma. Boil the chicken, let it cool, shred it, and keep the cooking water.
• Put the rice, mung beans, and lotus seeds into the pot with the chicken broth. Once it boils, reduce the heat, add the seasonings, and cook for about 40 minutes until the porridge is soft and smooth.
• Sauté the shallots until golden and fragrant, then add them to the porridge. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then turn off the heat.
• Scoop the porridge into bowls, add shredded chicken, top with spring onions and a sprinkle of black pepper, and serve.

Water spinach is packed with a variety of vitamins, especially high levels of vitamins A, B, and C, making it a "vitamin treasure." This makes it an excellent food choice for women postpartum, providing a rich nutritional boost for recovery.

Ingredients:

• 100g water spinach
• 50g ground meat
• 100g rice
• 40g pork fat
• 50g rice wine, a pinch of salt

Instructions:

• Rinse the rice thoroughly and place it in a pot with just enough water. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat to medium.
• When the rice is nearly cooked, add the ground pork, pork fat, rice wine, water spinach, and salt. Continue cooking until the porridge is done.

Pig's trotters are part of the pig's forelimbs and hindlimbs, including the skin, meat, and tendons surrounding the bones. This commonly enjoyed food is not only delicious but also highly nutritious. Pig's Trotter Porridge is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, making it a great choice for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children. It also aids in boosting metabolism, treating insomnia, relieving nervous exhaustion, and alleviating stress and depression. For new mothers, consuming pig's trotters can help enhance lactation, providing abundant breast milk for the baby. Additionally, pig's trotters are rich in collagen, promoting smooth, youthful skin.

Ingredients:

• 1 pig's trotter
• 1 bowl of white rice
• Spring onions, cilantro
• Seasonings: salt, seasoning powder, ground pepper, fish sauce

Instructions:

• Cut the pig's trotter into bite-sized pieces, rinse thoroughly, then place it in a pot of boiling water to remove impurities. Discard the first water, rinse the trotter again, and add fresh water, a pinch of salt, and a smashed shallot to simmer. Occasionally skim off the foam for a clearer broth.
• Rinse the rice, soak it in warm water for 10 minutes to soften. Once the pig's trotters are tender, add the rice and cook until the porridge is smooth. When the rice is soft, season with fish sauce and seasoning powder to taste.
• Finally, turn off the heat, transfer the porridge to a bowl, sprinkle finely chopped spring onions, cilantro, and ground pepper on top. If making for a baby, skip the seasoning and pepper. Serve while warm.

The nutritional value of pigeon meat is well-known. It contains protein and essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, along with vitamins A, B, and C. Pigeon Porridge helps new mothers replenish nutrients and gain strength for taking care of their babies. Additionally, pigeon porridge promotes better lactation for breastfeeding mothers.

Ingredients:

• 1 pigeon
• 3 small handfuls of rice
• 4 shiitake mushrooms
• 1/2 carrot
• 5 string beans
• 1 shallot
• 1 handful of cilantro
• Seasonings: cooking oil, fish sauce, MSG

Instructions:

• Prepare the ingredients: Peel the carrot, wash it, and dice it. Soak the shiitake mushrooms in water to soften, then chop them. Clean the cilantro, remove any yellowed or damaged leaves, and chop it. Clean the pigeon, remove the feathers and innards, rinse with water mixed with a bit of lemon juice and salt. Cut off the legs, separate the meat from the breasts and thighs, and keep the bones for the broth.
• Cook the rice porridge: Rinse the rice thoroughly, place it in a pot with enough water, and cook until the rice is soft and tender. Once done, set it aside.
• Prepare the pigeon broth: In a separate pot, add the pigeon bones, water, and simmer for about 40 minutes to create a flavorful broth.
• Cook the pigeon meat: Heat oil in a pan, fry the shallot until fragrant, then add the pigeon meat. Stir-fry until cooked through, season with fish sauce and MSG, and optionally add ground pepper. Stir-fry until the meat is well-cooked and fragrant.
• Assemble the porridge: Once the rice is soft, transfer it to another pot, add the pigeon broth, and bring to a boil. Add the diced carrots, mushrooms, and string beans and cook until tender. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Finally, stir in the pigeon meat and cook for a few more minutes before turning off the heat. Serve the porridge, garnished with cilantro on top.

Beef Porridge is not only easy to prepare, but also packed with essential nutrients for postpartum recovery. Especially when combined with ingredients like carrots, it can help new mothers with milk production and boost their health.

Ingredients:

• White rice: 100g.
• Beef: 100g.
• Carrot: 1/2 piece.
• Chopped herbs.
• Bean sprouts.
• Seasoning.

Method:

• Rinse the rice thoroughly and let it dry. Toast the rice in a pan over low heat until the grains are warm. This will help the porridge cook faster and give it a richer aroma when combined with the beef and carrot.
• Wash the beef, chop or mince it finely, and marinate with a pinch of pepper and seasoning. Let it sit for about 15 minutes to absorb the flavors. Add a little water to keep the beef tender and prevent clumping, then add it to the porridge.
• After toasting the rice, add it to a pot with water and cook until the grains bloom. Meanwhile, peel, rinse, and dice the carrot, then add it to the pot to simmer along with the rice.
• Once the porridge is fully cooked, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Turn off the heat and serve in bowls. You can garnish with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and a pinch of pepper for extra flavor.