5 simple tips for eating green beans during breastfeeding

Beneficial features

The positive properties and contraindications of green beans are due to its rich composition, which consists of vitamin E, B1, PP, B2, C, B6, zinc, manganese, iron, iodine, potassium, fluorine, sulfur. Also, this vegetable crop contains a large amount of fiber, vegetable protein, and amino acids.

The benefits of green beans for nursing women are:

1. Therapy, prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
2. Stabilization of blood pressure.
3. Normalization of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
4. Improving the structure of the dermis and hair.
5. Reducing the level of sugary substances.
6. Strengthening the muscular and central nervous system.
7. Removing toxic elements from the body.
8. Getting rid of unwanted kilograms, preventing the development of obesity.
9. Protect against anemia and seizures.
10. Reducing the acidity of gastric juice.
11. Normalization of hormonal levels after childbirth.

However, young mothers suffering from:

• colitis;
• ulcerative lesions of the duodenum/stomach;
• gastritis;
• gout;
• jade.

In the absence of the listed pathologies, a nursing woman can eat dishes based on green beans (in the absence of allergic manifestations in the baby).

Valuable properties of beans

To be convinced of the usefulness of a leguminous vegetable, just look at the nutritional value of 100 g of green beans, usually called “bean pods”:

• proteins 1.8 g,
• fats 0.1 g,
• carbohydrates 7 g,
• sugar 1.4 g,
• Retinol (vitamin A) 35 mcg,
• Ascorbic acid 16 mg,
• Calcium 37 mg.

Let's add more:

• carotene,
• phosphorus,
• copper,
• zinc,
• chromium,
• sulfur,
• iron,
• iodine,
• amino acids and nitrogenous substances,
• organic acids and flavonoids,
• glucosides,
• folic acids.

And it will become clear that the nutritional and energy value (31 kcal 129 kJ) of asparagus species is difficult to overestimate.

In addition, these legumes are rich in fiber, which helps normalize the gastrointestinal tract and blood sugar levels. Very nutritious, but low in calories.

They have a weak diuretic effect and a strong sedative effect.

Prevents hormonal imbalances that may occur in a woman after discharge from the hospital and during breastfeeding.

All this together guarantees the usefulness of consuming these bean blades.

So, when can green beans be introduced into the diet of mothers and babies during breastfeeding?

Harm from beans during breastfeeding

Green beans can cause both benefit and harm to the human body. The product in question has a number of side effects, which makes this vegetable dangerous to the health of some people. Its negative qualities include the following:

1. If a large amount of phytic acid, which is contained in the product in question, enters the human body, a lack of nutritional compounds may occur, since this acid interferes with the absorption of valuable elements.
2. Plant protein can cause digestive upset in infants and nursing women.
3. Some elements contained in this vegetable crop can provoke an allergic reaction in a child. In this case, large reddish rashes may appear on the skin/urticaria, tearing, and coughing.
4. High fiber content can worsen the condition of nursing women suffering from gastrointestinal diseases.

We recommend reading: Cheese during breastfeeding

In addition, fibers can cause flatulence and colic in infants. Particular attention should be paid to the introduction of this product to those mothers whose birth took place by caesarean section.

Rules for eating beans while breastfeeding

A nursing mother should start introducing beans into her diet with the legume variety.
To get all the valuable nutrients contained in beans and not harm the baby, follow the following recommendations:

• eat only boiled or stewed;
• start introducing it into the diet no earlier than the child turns 3 months old;
• try beans in the morning after feeding your baby;
• Observe the child’s reaction: if you suspect an allergy or colic, exclude the product from the diet;
• first introduce green beans into the diet and only then grain beans;
• for the first time, no more than 5 pods or grains are allowed;
• in the absence of a negative reaction from the baby, the serving size is increased to 20 pcs. 1–2 times a week.

Contraindications for eating beans:

• colic in a child;
• nephritis;
• gout;
• colitis;
• stomach ulcer;
• gastritis;
• pancreatitis;
• urolithiasis disease;
• cholecystitis.

How to choose and in what form to use

Beans can be white, red, black, green, or speckled.
In order for bean dishes to be healthy and tasty, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the original product. When choosing dry bean seeds in the store, give preference to smooth, glossy grains. Colored beans should be bright, and white beans should be light, without yellow spots. Wrinkled beans with traces of “rust” were either stored incorrectly or had already expired. Green beans are preferable in frozen form - they are green in color, produce a characteristic crunch when cracked, and do not contain ice.

Canned beans are undesirable during breastfeeding, as they contain a lot of salt, vinegar and other undesirable additives, and there are almost no beneficial substances.

Raw beans are dangerous to health and can cause intoxication, and fried beans create extra stress on the liver. Accordingly, the optimal type of heat treatment of beans during the HW period is boiling and stewing.

Green beans need to be soaked before cooking. The minimum period is 3 hours, but it is better to leave the grains in water overnight. This will not only allow you to cook the beans faster, but also remove harmful substances from them. But even pre-soaked beans take a long time to cook - at least 1.5 hours. You can speed up the process by cooking the product in a pressure cooker.

Legumes absorb water well, increasing in volume by 2-3 times, so a cup of beans will require at least 2.5-3 glasses of water, and when preparing first courses - 1-1.5 liters. Salt, spices and other components of dishes should be added at the end of cooking so as not to increase the already long cooking time of the beans. Green beans cook quickly - just 5-10 minutes in boiling water or 10-15 minutes by steaming. It is only necessary to soak it if it is fresh and has not been previously frozen.

Options for bean dishes for a nursing woman:

• soups;
• vegetable stews;
• side dishes;
• pates;
• roast with meat;
• salads and snacks;
• casseroles and others.

Photo gallery: recommended dishes

To prepare the pate, the beans are boiled and crushed until smooth.

Roast beans, vegetables and meat can be cooked in a pot

Choose ingredients for salads that do not cause allergies in your baby.

At first, eat boiled beans without additives.

Bean soup has a special consistency

To prepare the casserole, pour the boiled green beans with a mixture of eggs and flour

Sausages as a complement to beans should be homemade

Recipe: Bean Lobio

This dish can be used as a side dish for fish and meat
Ingredients:

• dry beans 200 g;
• walnuts 100 g;
• onion 1 large head;
• garlic 2 cloves;
• parsley or cilantro 50 g;
• salt and pepper to taste.

Cooking process:

1. Soak the beans in cold water overnight.
2. Drain the water and rinse the grains.
3. Pour in 1 liter of water and cook until tender.
4. Remove the grains from the broth with a mesh spoon.
5. Peel the onion and garlic, chop finely.
6. Grind the nuts until they become coarse crumbs.
7. Finely chop the greens with a knife.
8. Mix the ingredients, add a little bean broth and spices.
9. Simmer in a saucepan for 10–15 minutes.

Recipe: Green Bean Side Dish

Before serving, the beans can be drizzled with olive oil
. Ingredients:

• green beans 500 g;
• water 1.5 l;
• salt and spices to taste.

Cooking process:

1. Fresh beans are soaked in cold water for 1.5–2 hours (frozen ones do not require soaking).
2. Boil water, add salt and spices.
3. Add beans to water, bring to a boil and reduce heat.
4. Cook for 5-10 minutes (the beans should become soft, not crunchy).
5. Pour cold water into a bowl.
6. Remove the beans from the pan and place in cold water.
7. Let sit for a few seconds and drain the water.
8. Serve as a separate dish or a side dish for fish and meat.

Introducing beans into the diet

A nursing woman should be introduced to the use of beans in pods gradually, once the baby reaches two to three months of age. After the first consumption of a new food, you should monitor possible changes in the baby’s well-being and/or behavior for two days. The correct introduction of a vegetable crop should begin by eating 5 boiled pods (maximum) in the morning, but not on an empty stomach, otherwise the young mother can harm her body.

If the child tolerated the introduction of a new dish well, a gradual increase in the serving volume to 20 boiled pods/day is allowed. If colic occurs, discomfort in the tummy, or itchy red rashes on the skin, a woman should exclude this vegetable from her diet. The attempt can be repeated after 2 - 3 months. During this time, the children's digestive system will become stronger and will be able to digest a new product.

You should experiment with introducing new dishes with the addition of green beans, as well as other varieties of vegetables, after 4 to 5 months. after the birth of the baby (after the formation and strengthening of the gastrointestinal tract).

How and when to properly introduce it into the diet?

If the mother, while pregnant, ate dishes containing beans (pregnant women are allowed to eat asparagus legumes several times a week), then you can try to resume the variety of the table when the baby is 3-4 months old.

But if the mother restricted herself in nutrition due to the common allergies of pregnant women to various foods and other allergens (toxicosis), then a new product from the legume family should be introduced to the baby no earlier than the baby’s age exceeds 5 months.

By this age, the baby’s ventricle and intestines have developed enough to adequately respond to new substances in breast milk.

If in infancy there were problems with the intestines or allergic reactions, the baby often gets sick and his immunity is weakened, then you will have to postpone such a useful product for an indefinite time. At least until the baby is 8-10 months old.

How to eat beans during lactation

Very often, green pods on store shelves are found frozen. However, it is advisable for a nursing mother to consume a fresh product. Before production, it is necessary to thoroughly wash and sort the pods, removing areas with dark inclusions.

During lactation, until the baby is five months old, eating raw beans is not allowed. Such a product very often causes poisoning in infants, and the harsh plant fiber contained in green, unprocessed pods can lead to digestive upset due to the inability to digest and absorb the vegetable in the children's gastrointestinal tract.

During lactation, pediatricians recommend eating dishes based on green beans, prepared by boiling, baking in the oven, steaming, and stewing. Fried vegetables should be avoided during breastfeeding, since children's weakened digestive system is not able to digest and assimilate a heavy product. In addition, it is undesirable to digest this vegetable crop, since during prolonged heat treatment most of the valuable elements disappear.

You should not include pickled green beans on your menu. Due to the vinegar and spice content, this product can provoke allergic reactions in infants. The canned product contains only 70% of valuable elements and various additives that negatively affect the health of the baby.

The benefits of green beans during breastfeeding

The beneficial properties of green (asparagus) beans are due to their excellent vitamin and mineral composition: vitamins E, B1, C, A, iron, magnesium, carotene, amino acids, carotene and much more. If we compare this green vegetable and its “relative” from the legume family, it is much inferior in protein content, but in terms of the content of vitamins and nutrients it is much ahead of its rival. In addition, although there are not so many proteins in the product, they are much easier to absorb by the body.

Vitamins will help support the immune system and help restore skin, nails and hair. Magnesium will ensure good functioning of the heart muscle, and iron will be an excellent assistant in the prevention of anemia. Proteins from green beans are perfectly absorbed, becoming building material for all organs and systems. A small amount of fat will not harm the figure and will not cause constipation in the baby.

Benefits of green beans:

• Contains healthy “slow” carbohydrates that provide energy and are not stored as extra pounds.
• It has low calorie content (about 30 Kcal per 100 g).
• A large amount of fiber promotes proper bowel function and rids the body of toxins.
• The vegetable is easily absorbed by the body of a nursing mother and does not cause allergies or discomfort in the baby.
• The affordable price allows families of any income level to buy this product.
• Finding fresh or frozen beans in the store is not difficult at any time of the year.
• It doesn’t take much time or special culinary skills to prepare dishes with the addition of this healthy vegetable.
• Beans have a pleasant, unobtrusive taste and go well with any food, which makes it a component of many dishes.

Although the risk of an allergy in a child is practically excluded, it is still worth monitoring him after the mother ate beans for the first time

Another advantage of green beans is that they do not accumulate toxins from the environment. Thanks to this property, the vegetable is useful not only for nursing mothers and pregnant women, but will also be an excellent complementary feeding option for babies in their first year of life.

Vegetable stew

Required components:

• a couple of tomatoes;
• bulb;
• beet;
• half a head of cauliflower;
• carrot;
• ½ green beans;
• eggplant.

Actions:

1. We wash the vegetables, peel the carrots, beets, eggplant, and onions and cut them into small cubes.
2. Place the resulting mass in a baking dish, pre-coated with olive oil, add washed pods and cauliflower, divided into inflorescences.
3. Place the pan in a hot oven.
4. Cook green beans with vegetables for about a third of an hour at 130° until partially cooked.
5. After a while, transfer the workpiece into a container for cooking, add pieces of tomatoes, and mix the products.
6. Simmer on low heat until cooked through, stirring occasionally.

The dish is ready.

Contraindications to eating red beans during lactation

If a nursing mother has gastritis or a stomach ulcer, she is also contraindicated to eat red beans.

Also, beans should not be eaten during breastfeeding with diseases such as:

• Nephritis;
• Gout;
• Cholecystitis;
• Pancreatitis.

If a woman does not have such diseases or a food allergy to legumes, then she can safely eat legumes as part of both first and second courses. But it should be remembered that if the baby suffers from colic or often has increased gas production, it is best to postpone the consumption of red beans for a while until his digestive system finally gets stronger.

Cream soup

Ingredients:

• ½ kg green beans;
• ½ l vegetable broth;
• salt, herbs (to taste).

Manufacturing steps:

1. Place the washed pods into the prepared broth.
2. Cook for about 10 minutes. after the liquid boils at moderate heat.
3. Over time, use a blender to turn the mixture into a porridge-like consistency.
4. At the last stage of preparation, season the healthy dish and add herbs (to taste).

Bean cream soup is ready.

Canned beans

Very often, when preparing bean dishes, fresh beans are replaced with canned ones, as this saves a lot of time. However, this is not the right decision in all cases. Please note that canned beans have contraindications:

1. its use should be avoided if there is a peptic ulcer, inflammation of the digestive system, gout, problems with the gallbladder and liver;
2. Canned beans are included in baby food gradually so as not to unnecessarily overload the intestines.

Doctors do not recommend eating canned beans to women during breastfeeding. This is primarily due to the fact that the conditions in which beans were grown and preserved do not in all cases comply with existing standards. Therefore, the use of this product is associated with a certain risk to the health of the nursing mother and her baby.

A woman during lactation should introduce canned beans into her diet gradually, starting with small portions. Then you should observe the baby's reaction to the new food. If there is no negative reaction, then use of this product can be continued without fear.