Getting ready to give birth is a big deal. Otherwise, the moment can catch you unawares, and that’s when all hell breaks loose.
So, unless it’s an emergency, always begin preparing from several weeks out. An emergency bag with clothes for the mom and new baby should be ready at least a month out. You also need slippers, a nursing bra, toiletries (including toothpaste, a toothbrush, lotion, etc.), breast pads, and several pairs of underwear ready, among others.
Above all, you need to start thinking about the right foods to bring along for the labor period at least a month to your due date. What are you going to eat? Do you know any meals for labor?
You want to pick your foods early because you need plenty of energy and nutrients to withstand the labor period and feed the baby after delivery. Moreover, the body relies on nutrients (obtained from food) to heal and recovery postpartum.
You might also be aware that most hospitals enforce a strict diet restricting expectant women to water and ice pellets right before labor.
With these considerations in mind, you want to eat plenty of calorie-filled foods to fuel your body during and right after delivery. It might also be wise to pack other high-energy, high-nutrient food to eat after delivery.
5 Calorie-Filled Meals for Labor Contraction
We’ll only cover the best meals for labor room. Make sure to plan for the post-labor period separately.
1. Spaghetti and lean meat sauce
You’ve likely heard that pasta is an excellent food choice for inducing labor. Well, spaghetti is the most popular form of pasta. It’s made from durum wheat and used in dishes all around the world. The main advantage of spaghetti is that it’s very high in complex carbohydrates. Whole spaghetti is especially an excellent source of fiber. A single cup provides 2.5 grams of fiber and 42.2 grams of complex carbs. One cup also provides 221 calories.
When paired with a lean meat source, the meal offers at least 58 grams of carbohydrates per serving (326 grams) and can provide up to 310 calories.
2. Shrimp rice bowl
Shrimp is one of the most commonly consumed shellfish. It’s a highly nutritious food that provides high quantities of iodine that aren’t abundant in many other foods. Although low in calories (it only offers 84 calories for an 85-gram serving) and doesn’t contain any carbohydrates, it provides more than 20 different vitamins and minerals.
Pairing it with rice gives you all these vitamins and minerals plus the energy and carbohydrates you need to last the labor period. That’s because rice contains at least 28.7 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams. Rice also provides a respectable 130 calories per 100 grams and contains plenty of water. For better results, go for brown rice. Brown rice offers up to 216 calories and 44 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams.
3. Sweet potatoes with legumes
Sweet potatoes are great meals for labor. One cup (200 grams) provides 180 calories and contains at least 41 grams of carbohydrates. Sweet potatoes are also rich in fiber. A single cup contains 6.6 grams of fiber. Remember that sweet potato are also rich in vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and minerals such as manganese, potassium, and copper.
If you love vegetables, we recommend pairing your sweet potatoes with legumes. Legumes are very rich in protein. They also contain high amounts of fiber, B vitamins, iron, and folate. Plus, legumes provide an incredible 81 calories per 100 grams.
4. Protein oats (oatmeal plus protein)
Protein oats refer to oatmeal with extra protein. One of the best ways to add extra protein to your oatmeal is to whip egg white into the cooking oatmeal. The resulting product is high in carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and even minerals.
Oatmeal alone provides up to 389 calories per serving, making it one of the best energy sources. It also contains plenty of carbohydrates (up to 66.3 grams) and fiber (up to 10.6 grams) per serving. Adding egg white is 22% protein, providing up to 11 grams of protein per 100-gram serving. It’s the perfect match.
5. Peanut butter and banana sandwich
It’s easy to make peanut butter and banana sandwich. All you need are two slices of whole wheat bread with honey, four teaspoons of reduced-fat creamy peanut butter, and one small banana or half a medium-sized banana.
However, it’s one of the most calorie-packed and nutritious meals. Each serving which means one sandwich provides 269 calories. Eat two, and you’re more than good for the day. It also contains 12 grams of protein, 35 grams of carbohydrates, and 7.9 grams of dietary fiber.
Drink Plenty of Water Too
Don’t forget that you need plenty of water when entering labor. Experts recommend at least a glass of water every hour. Otherwise, you may be dehydrated.
