The benefits of Brussels sprouts during lactation: recipes for nursing mothers

Fresh white cabbage: composition, beneficial properties

White cabbage is a biennial crop from the cruciferous family. This is one of the most widespread crops in Rus', which amazes with its combination of taste and nutrients that a healthy body needs. Also, this product is able to overcome various diseases, which has contributed to the enrichment of traditional medicine with numerous recipes since ancient times.

The nutritional value per 100 g of fresh vegetable leaves is as follows:

  • carbohydrates -18.8 g;
  • fats - 0.1 g;
  • proteins - 7.2 g;
  • calories - 28 kcal.

Also check out the benefits and harms of cabbage for the body.
The product is also rich in the following various vitamins:

  • vitamin A - 2 mcg;
  • vitamin C - 45 mg;
  • vitamin E - 0.1 mg;
  • vitamin B1 - 0.03 mg;
  • vitamin B2 - 0.04 mg;
  • vitamin B6 - 0.1 mg;
  • vitamin B9 - 22 mcg.

100 g of the product in question contains many useful microelements, the main of which are:

  • boron - 200 mcg;
  • potassium - 300 mg;
  • calcium - 48 mg;
  • sulfur - 37 mg;
  • chlorine - 37 mg;
  • phosphorus - 31 mg.

You might be wondering if you can eat cabbage before bed.

Each microelement contained in this vegetable has a positive effect on the functioning of individual organs and normalizes the condition of the body as a whole.
Doctors recommend consuming white cabbage because its biochemical composition affects the body in the following way:

  1. Calcium strengthens the skeleton and also has an anti-inflammatory effect.
  2. Zinc improves soft tissue regeneration and also helps prevent diabetes.
  3. Sulfur slows down the aging process and has an antiallergic effect.
  4. Potassium helps normalize heart rhythm.
  5. Magnesium regulates the functioning of the nervous system and also normalizes muscle activity.
  6. Iron strengthens the immune system and has an antibacterial effect.
  7. Iodine helps stimulate brain activity.
  8. Phosphorus is necessary for good growth of bone tissue and teeth.
  9. Folic acid is important for the rapid development of the body.
  10. Fructose helps stabilize blood sugar.
  11. Pantothenic acid is necessary for the formation of antibodies to strengthen the immune system.

White cabbage has many beneficial properties that are necessary for women:

  1. Tartanic acid, which is found in fresh cabbage leaves, prevents the deposition of fats under the skin, as this acid prevents the conversion of carbohydrates into fatty acids. Thus, this vegetable will be useful for women who are struggling with excess weight.
  2. The product in question also contains sulforaphane, which is an excellent prevention of the appearance of cancer cells in the mammary glands.
  3. Folic acid, which is contained in white cabbage, regenerates and renews body cells well, which helps maintain youthful skin and hair of women.

Did you know? Medical studies claim that eating white cabbage reduces the risk of cancer cells in the mammary glands by 15%.

  • People have long used this product in folk medicine for the following medicinal purposes:
  • elimination of pain in the joints and stomach;
  • liver treatment;
  • skin regeneration after burns;
  • elimination of edema; treatment of diabetes;
  • resumption of voice when it breaks down;
  • treatment of bronchitis;
  • improvement of skin condition.

The benefits of boiled cabbage for the mother's body during breastfeeding

The main benefit of boiled cabbage is its rich and varied vitamin and mineral composition. The list of them exceeds many other vegetables.

Cabbage contains vitamins B, C, PP, microelements (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, manganese, sulfur, etc.), folic acid, protein, pectin, natural dietary fiber.

During the cooking process, cabbage loses only a small part of its nutrients. The bulk of them enters the body of the woman, and through breast milk to the child.

Vitamins and microelements in cabbage determine its beneficial properties.

  • The high content of vitamin C (much higher than in lemon and other citrus fruits) enhances the body's protective function, increasing immunity and resistance to viruses and infections. In addition, in folk medicine, boiled cabbage is used in the treatment of colds.
  • Boiled cabbage stimulates metabolism. Boiled cabbage is easier to digest in the body and does not interfere with the full functioning of the digestive system. This is especially useful for a woman whose body has not yet recovered after childbirth, and for a child whose gastrointestinal tract is still developing.
  • The positive effect of cabbage on the functioning of the kidneys and intestines is known It is used in the prevention of constipation, which is also very important for both mother and baby.
  • Boiled cabbage helps remove toxins and waste from the body of a nursing mother.
  • The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties are known . It also strengthens blood vessels and is used for kidney diseases.
  • Cabbage is a dietary product. Its calorie content is only 23 kcal\100 g of product. Therefore, it will be very useful for women seeking to regain their prenatal forms. Boiled cabbage also retains nutritional fiber, which allows you to saturate the body faster and for a longer period, which prevents overeating.

Cabbage during lactation, can a nursing mother eat it?

Many mothers are interested in the question of whether it is possible to introduce this product into their menu. Of course, this vegetable should be eaten by young mothers if it is chosen and prepared correctly. The product can replace taking various multivitamin preparations, as it contains a huge amount of useful substances.

We suggest you read the information about whether you can eat cabbage every day.
A very important advantage when choosing this vegetable is that it enriches the body with essential substances without increasing body weight. White cabbage is characterized by a low calorie content, which means that the product can be consumed in the required quantities without fear of gaining extra pounds. Since the culture in question contains a large amount of fiber, it helps regulate intestinal function, which will help prevent constipation, which is a fairly common problem among women in the first months after childbirth.

Pediatricians strongly recommend white cabbage to nursing mothers, as this vegetable contains folic acid, which has a beneficial effect on the health of the baby’s nervous system. Therefore, the culture in question is important for women who breastfeed in order to protect the child from defects of the nervous system, as well as from anemia.

Due to the problem of excessive gas production in the intestines, which contributes to colic in the baby, it is advisable to start taking white cabbage in cooked form. A mother who is breastfeeding can eat stewed or boiled cabbage, observing the correct preparation of the product.

Important! It is not advisable to cook this vegetable for a long time, since after prolonged heat treatment many vitamins are destroyed.

Fresh product promotes bone health and strengthens the immune system. Thus, vitamins C and K, which are contained in the vegetable, are necessary for the baby for the normal formation of the skeletal system.

Calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus are very important for the baby to regulate heart rate and blood pressure. Regular consumption of this vegetable while breastfeeding will reduce the risk of developing anemia. Iron, as a component of this vegetable, is simply necessary for babies who are born prematurely, since there is a high risk of them developing anemia.


Washing vegetables before eating ensures the health of both mother and child. Every nursing mother should remember that the product must be thoroughly washed and well cooked. This is due to the fact that white cabbage can serve as a carrier of various microorganisms, which pose a risk of foodborne illnesses. Don't forget about pesticides and fungicides, which increase the risk of bacterial contamination of the product.

Pickled cabbage during breastfeeding is also considered a safe dish, in addition, it has many benefits. This cabbage contains more iron and folate, vitamin C, and fiber. Salted cabbage, due to its high sodium content, can make both mother and baby thirsty. In addition, such a dish can change the taste of milk.

Did you know? The cumin in sauerkraut can prevent discomfort and bloating in the intestines.

A small amount of sauerkraut during lactation can even be beneficial, since the lactic acid bacteria it contains will help normalize the child’s intestinal flora and also saturate the body with a large amount of vitamin C.


Any dishes containing white cabbage can be safely introduced into the diet of a nursing mother only when the baby is not bothered by colic.

The culture in question is not allowed during breastfeeding if the baby experiences an allergic reaction, although an allergy to this product occurs quite rarely, but one should not discount the fact of a possible allergic reaction.

Brussels sprouts recipes

Casserole with potatoes and Brussels sprouts

  • Brussels sprouts – 300 grams;
  • Potatoes – 3 tubers;
  • Onion – 1 head;
  • Chicken breast – 100 grams;
  • Grated hard cheese – 50 grams;
  • Chicken egg – 1 piece;
  • Garlic – 1 clove;
  • For dressing - 1 tbsp. a spoonful of olive oil and a bunch of herbs.

Boil the peeled potatoes until tender, mash them into a puree. Chop the onion and lightly fry in oil. Finely chop the garlic, add to the onion and also lightly fry. Cut the chicken into pieces and fry along with vegetables. Cut the cabbage into four parts.

Add all the vegetables, egg and brisket to the puree and mix thoroughly. Place the mixture in a baking dish and sprinkle cheese on top. Bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes at 200 degrees. Sprinkle the finished casserole with chopped herbs.

Vegetable soup

  • Brussels sprouts – 250 grams;
  • Potatoes – 300 grams;
  • Carrots – 1 piece;
  • Onions – 1 piece;
  • Vegetable oil – 50 grams;
  • Salt and herbs to taste.

Cut the potatoes into strips, pour boiling water over them, add salt and cook. Finely chop the carrots and onions and simmer in vegetable oil. Immerse the Brussels sprouts in boiling water with the potatoes for two minutes, then remove and simmer along with the vegetables. Five minutes before readiness, add vegetables to potatoes and add salt. Sprinkle the finished soup with chopped herbs. Instead of water, you can use meat broth.

Cheese omelette

  • Brussels sprouts – 300 grams;
  • Milk – 2 tbsp. spoons;
  • Chicken egg - 2 pieces;
  • Hard grated cheese – 100 grams;
  • Salt and vegetable oil to taste

Boil the cabbage for 3 minutes in salted water and cool. Cut each head of cabbage into halves and lightly fry in oil. Beat eggs with milk, add salt, add cheese and mix thoroughly. Pour the mixture into the frying pan and finish frying the omelette

Steam chicken roll

  • Chicken breast – 200 grams;
  • Brussels sprouts – 500 grams;
  • Salt to taste.

Cut the breast in the middle and sides. Open and beat, add Brussels sprouts and salt. Wrap the rolls in foil and steam. If you don't like steam cooking, you can bake the rolls in the oven. Then pre-boil the cabbage for 5 minutes after the water boils. Bake for 20 minutes at 190 degrees.

You will find more delicious and healthy recipes for breastfeeding at the link /.
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When can you eat fresh cabbage while breastfeeding?

Doctors recommend starting to introduce white cabbage, like many other products, not in raw form, but in cooked form. There is no need to rush with fresh vegetables. After 4 weeks from the date of birth, the mother can try fresh cabbage leaves in small quantities. Most pediatricians are of the opinion that this product in its raw form should be introduced into the mother’s menu from 3-4 months.

Important! It is necessary to monitor the child’s condition throughout the day. Constipation or diarrhea, skin rashes are a signal from the body about food intolerance or allergies, which is a reason to postpone the product for 3

-
6 months.
A baby 3 months and older has a more developed digestive system, so pediatricians advise introducing raw vegetables during this period of time. It is very important to consider the amount of food eaten. It is strongly recommended to start with 50 g. If no negative reaction occurs within 1-2 days, then the portion can be increased to 200–250 g per day. White cabbage should be consumed no more than 3 times a week.

Can children eat this vegetable?

Brussels sprouts are not only necessary for breastfed babies, but also very healthy. Pediatricians recommend using it as the first complementary food. Such recommendations are due to the fact that cabbage almost never causes allergies.

Brussels sprouts are rich in vitamins, proteins, minerals and fiber. This composition allows you to strengthen the growing body of the baby.

IMPORTANT! Although Brussels sprouts are hypoallergenic and easily digestible, you should initially introduce potato and zucchini puree into your child’s diet, and then cabbage.

At what age is it given to infants?

A child under 1 year of age who is on breastfeeding can try Brussels sprouts puree for the first time, on the recommendation of pediatricians, as early as 5.5 months.


Children whose diet consists only of formulas are given complementary foods a month earlier, that is, at 4.5 months.

When can you give vegetables to premature babies? them to try cabbage puree only at 8 months .

You should start with 1 teaspoon of puree soup in the morning. Then, throughout the day, carefully monitor the baby’s reaction.

If the new product does not have a negative effect on the body, then you can gradually increase the portion.

Is it possible to eat cabbage in the first month after giving birth?

Pediatricians unanimously say that this product should not be introduced into the diet of a nursing mother in the first month after childbirth, either raw or cooked.

  • When asked by mothers why this product should not be consumed in the first month, one can answer with the following facts:
  • A newborn baby has an unformed digestive system, and such a product can cause many reactions (from colic to diarrhea or vomiting).
  • The gastrointestinal tract of a young mother in the first month after birth is quite weak, and the mother’s abdominal organs are still in a displaced state, so this product can cause discomfort, bloating or diarrhea.

It should be noted that in the first month after giving birth, a mother can use white cabbage, although not in her menu, but in various homemade folk recipes. For example, with lactostasis, when the normal flow of milk from the breast is disrupted, a woman may experience hardening, pain and a lot of discomfort. In this case, you need to make a warm compress for the chest for 2-3 hours from a vegetable leaf heated in a water bath. The leaf can also relieve inflammation from poorly emptied mammary glands.

Thus, white cabbage is a storehouse of nutrients that a healthy body needs. The mother’s diet needs to be diversified with this product, but it should be introduced no earlier than 3-4 months after birth, as it can negatively affect the child’s well-being.

Benefit, harm, energy value

Any cabbage contains a large amount of vitamins and nutrients. In addition to replenishing the deficiency of essential micronutrients, it brings benefits:

  • if the breasts are overfilled with milk due to the formation of lactation, it is recommended to apply leaves of Chinese or cauliflower;
  • When forming cones, you should beat off a leaf of white cabbage until the juice appears and apply it to the mammary gland.

In addition, cabbage during breastfeeding helps normalize weight and lose extra pounds gained during pregnancy. The vegetable is a source of fiber and helps restore intestinal function, relieving constipation. Thanks to cabbage, in the first months after childbirth, uterine contractions are more active, which prevents the development of complications. Cabbage improves immunity, has an anti-inflammatory effect, improves memory and prevents thyroid pathologies.

The calorie content of cabbage is determined by its type and ranges from 15 to 30 kcal per 100 grams. It also contains from 1 to 3 grams of proteins and from 3 to 6 grams of carbohydrates. There is practically no fat in cabbage - 0.01-0.3 g per 100 g of product.

The harm of cabbage lies in the possibility of an allergic reaction. Some varieties are hard on the intestines and cause abdominal cramps. People with pancreatic diseases and irritable bowel syndrome should not eat cabbage.

Reviews from nursing mothers about eating cabbage

I used cabbage mainly in soups - it did not have a negative effect on my child. True, I tried to do everything correctly, introducing it gradually and only with gentle cooking.

Eating cabbage did not suit me or my daughter. The thing is that I myself don’t tolerate it very well. And after giving birth, she began to react even worse to her. Immediately after eating a small amount, I was bothered by a feeling of fullness in the solar plexus area. Therefore, I ate extremely rarely and in small quantities.

Thus, we can summarize that this vegetable crop will have a beneficial effect on the organisms of mother and child with the correct consumption regimen. It is worth choosing only high-quality products so as not to cause harm due to possible chemical components.

If there is any doubt, it is always better to consult a pediatrician about your diet and the effect on the baby.

Does eating cabbage during breastfeeding cause increased gas formation?

Breastfeeding experts say breastfeeding mothers do not need to follow special diets. Nutrients from mother's food enter breast milk 4-6 hours after eating, it all depends on the woman's metabolism. It has always been believed that foods that are “heavy” for a child’s stomach, such as cabbage or legumes, increase gas formation. But recent expert research proves that the formation of gases is not directly related to the consumption of certain foods. In the first months of life, increased gas formation in the intestines of infants is associated with the immaturity of the digestive system, so almost all children suffer from intestinal colic.

Gases are only the result of the digestive process. Food (namely carbohydrates), entering the stomach, begins to be actively digested by bacteria. When digested, gases are released. They enter the intestines and can accumulate there. But the gases formed in the mother’s intestines cannot pass into breast milk. Through breast milk, the baby can receive starches and sugars, which, when broken down, produce their own gases in the baby’s intestines.

And cabbage during lactation is not necessarily to blame for gas formation. Intestinal colic in children occurs after potatoes, baked goods and other foods. In addition, the reasons for increased gas formation may lie in other factors:

  • In large quantities of milk.
  • Improper grip on the bottle (or breast).
  • In an incorrectly selected bottle nipple.
  • In a formula unsuitable for the child.

The diet of every person should be balanced and complete. The same rule applies to the nutrition of a nursing mother. You cannot unreasonably refuse certain foods, be it cabbage, peas or even chocolate. You just need to follow the important principles: gradualism and moderation.

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