Whether you’re a first-time mama navigating the new world of motherhood or a seasoned pro, taking care of yourself during confinement is essential. Your body has gone through a lot, and the right nourishment from confinement food can make all the difference in how you feel. 

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But who says the confinement food has to be bland or boring? These recipes are perfect for the modern mum who wants to feel her best without spending hours in the kitchen – they cater to your needs by helping to boost recovery, energy, and milk supply.

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Let's take a look at these top seven confinement recipes that are both delicious and nutritious.

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Confinement Food Recipes to Boost Milk Production

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1. Red dates & ginger soup

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This classic confinement soup is packed with nutrients that can help increase milk supply. For instance, red dates have many benefits, such as being rich in iron and vitamin C which is essential for blood production and overall health, especially for new moms who may experience postpartum blood loss.

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Meanwhile, ginger is known for its digestive properties, helping to alleviate discomfort and promote better nutrient absorption. It also helps to improve blood circulation, which can increase blood flow to the breasts, supporting milk production.  

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Ingredients to prepare this confinement recipe

• 20 red dates (pitted)
• 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
• 4 cups water
• A pinch of rock sugar or honey for sweetness (optional)

Instructions to prepare this confinement food recipe

1. Prep the ingredients: Wash the red dates and remove the pits. Chop the ginger into small pieces.
2. Combine ingredients: Add the red dates, ginger, and water to a pot.
3. Bring to a boil and simmer: Place the pot on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 30-45 minutes, or until the red dates are soft and the soup has thickened.
4. Sweeten (Optional): If desired, add a pinch of rock sugar or honey to taste.
5. Serve: Pour the soup into bowls and serve hot.

2. Papaya fish soup

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Besides red dates and ginger soup, this papaya fish soup confinement food recipe is packed with nutrients that can help increase milk supply and also keep you hydrated. Papaya is known for its milk-boosting properties, while fish provides essential protein and omega-3 fatty acids. 

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Ingredients to prepare this confinement recipe

• 1 green papaya, peeled and cubed
• 200g of fish fillet (threadfin or any white fish)
• 2 slices of ginger
• 1.5 litres of water
• A pinch of salt

Instructions to prepare this confinement food recipe

1. Prep the ingredients: Peel the papaya and cut it into cubes. Wash the fish fillet and remove any bones.
2. Boil Water: Bring 1.5 litres of water to a boil in a pot.
3. Add ginger: Add the ginger slices to the boiling water.
4. Simmer papaya: Add the papaya cubes and let them simmer for about 15 minutes, or until they are tender.
5. Add fish: Gently add the fish fillet to the soup and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.
6. Season: Season with a pinch of salt to taste.
7. Serve: Pour the soup into bowls and serve hot.

Confinement Food Recipes to Boost Energy

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1. Sesame oil chicken

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This soup is a staple in many confinement food recipes for its powerful benefits. Sesame oil is believed to have warming and restorative properties to boost energy levels and combat fatigue.

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Ingredients to prepare this confinement recipe

• 500g chicken thighs, cut into pieces
• 5 slices of ginger
• 3 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon rice wine
• 1 cup water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions to prepare this confinement food recipe

1. Prep the ingredients: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
2. Fry the ginger: Heat the sesame oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add the ginger slices and fry until fragrant.
3. Cook the chicken: Add the chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned.
4. Simmer: Pour in the rice wine and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is tender.
5. Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve: Serve the sesame oil chicken with rice for a hearty and nourishing meal.

2. Black Chicken Herbal Soup

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Similarly, this nourishing confinement soup recipe is a go-to for postpartum recovery. Black chicken (also known as Silkie chicken) is rich in antioxidants and proteins.

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As for the Chinese herbs, dang gui (angelica root) is known for its blood-nourishing properties, Chinese yam supports digestion and boosts energy, goji berries are high in antioxidants to improve immunity and energy levels, while red dates help replenish blood and improve circulation.

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Ingredients to prepare this confinement recipe

• 1 black chicken, cleaned and chopped
• 20g Chinese yam, peeled and sliced (, roughly 1-2 cm thick)
• 10g goji berries
• 5 red dates, pitted (crush them to release more flavour)
• 1 piece of dang gui (angelica root)
• 1.5 litres of water
• Salt to taste

Instructions to prepare this confinement food recipe

1. Prep the chicken: Blanch the chicken pieces in boiling water for a few minutes to remove impurities. Drain and rinse.
2. Combine ingredients: In a large pot, add the blanched chicken, Chinese yam, goji berries, red dates, dang gui, and water. Pour in 1.5 litres of water, ensuring all the ingredients are submerged.
3. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 2 hours, or until the chicken is tender and the soup has thickened.
4. Season: Season with salt to taste. Stir well and let it simmer for another 5 minutes to fully incorporate the salt.
5. Serve: Pour the soup into bowls and serve warm. Enjoy it on its own or with a bowl of steamed rice for a complete meal.

Confinement Food Recipes to Boost Recovery

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1. Turmeric Rice with Chicken

This fragrant dish combines the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric with the protein-packed goodness of chicken. It's great for aiding postpartum recovery.

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Ingredients to prepare this confinement recipe

• 2 cups of rice
• 1 chicken breast, thinly sliced  to ensure even cooking.
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or sesame oil
• 3 cups of chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions to prepare this confinement food recipe

1. Prep the ingredients: Rinse the rice and set aside.
2. Sauté the garlic: Heat olive oil in a pot and sauté garlic  for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.  Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
3. Cook the chicken: Add the sliced chicken breast to the pot. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sprinkle the turmeric powder over the chicken. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly with the turmeric. Cook the chicken for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is no longer pink on the outside. It’s okay if the chicken isn’t fully cooked at this stage, as it will continue cooking with the rice.
4. Add the rice: Once the chicken is mostly cooked, add the rinsed and drained rice to the pot.
5. Stir the rice and chicken together thoroughly, ensuring that the rice is well-coated with the oil, turmeric, and chicken juices. This step helps toasting the rice slightly, enhancing its flavour.
6. Add the broth: Pour in the chicken broth. If you prefer a milder flavour, you can use 2 cups of broth and 1 cup of water instead. Give everything a good stir, and season  with salt and pepper to taste.  The broth should taste slightly more seasoned than you’d like your final dish to be, as the rice will absorb the flavours
7. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Then, cover and simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked.
8. Serve: Serve the turmeric rice with chicken warm, garnished with fresh herbs like chopped cilantro or spring onions if desired. Pair it with a side of steamed or sautéed vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or spinach for a well-rounded, nutritious meal.

2. Ginger vinegar pig trotter

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A traditional confinement recipe, this dish is believed to speed up recovery. It’s packed with collagen, iron, and calcium, making it perfect for postpartum healing and nourishment.

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Ingredients to prepare this confinement recipe

• 1 pig trotter, cleaned and chopped
• 500g old ginger, peeled and smashed
• 1 litre black vinegar
• 1 litre water
• 200g brown sugar
• 4 eggs, hard-boiled and shelled

Instructions to prepare this confinement food recipe

1. Prep the pig trotter: Blanch pig trotter in boiling water for about 5-8 minutes, then drain. Rinse the pig trotter pieces  thoroughly under cold running water to remove any scum. Drain and set aside.
2. Start the base: In a large pot, add ginger, vinegar, water, and brown sugar and bring to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes. This step helps the ginger infuse into the vinegar, enhancing the flavour and aroma of the broth. After the ginger and vinegar mixture has simmered, add the brown sugar to the pot. Stir well to dissolve the sugar completely.
3. Cook the pig trotter: Add the pig trotter and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until tender.
4. Add the hard-boiled Eggs: In the last 30 minutes of simmering, add the hard-boiled eggs to the pot. This allows the eggs to absorb the flavours of the broth and become slightly brown in colour.
5. Serve: Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning if needed. If it’s too sour, you can add a bit more sugar to balance it out. Transfer the pig trotter pieces, ginger, and hard-boiled eggs into a serving bowl. Ladle the rich, tangy broth over the top. Enjoy this comforting dish warm, either on its own or with a bowl of steamed rice to soak up the delicious broth.

3. Lotus root soup

Lotus root is a cooling and anti-inflammatory food that’s often used in soups and stews to aid recovery, boost immunity, and improve digestion. This light and nourishing soup can be made vegetarian or with pork ribs for added richness.

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Ingredients to prepare this confinement recipe

• 1 medium-sized lotus root with smooth skin. The holes should be clean and not too dark.
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, lightly crushed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 300g pork ribs. Substitute with chicken if preferred.
• Optional: Dried goji berries or red dates  for added sweetness and nutrients

Instructions to prepare this confinement food recipe

• Prepare the lotus root: Start by peeling the lotus root and rinsing it under water.  Slice it into thin, uniform slices about 1/4-inch thick. 
• Blanch the pork ribs (if using): If you’re adding pork ribs, bring a separate pot of water to a boil. Add the pork ribs and boil for about 5 minutes. After blanching, drain the ribs and rinse them under cold running water. Set aside.
• Sauté the aromatics: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil (optional), then add the sliced ginger and lightly crushed garlic cloves. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the ginger and garlic become fragrant but not browned.
• Add the broth: Pour in the vegetable broth (or chicken broth if preferred) into the pot with the ginger and garlic. If using pork ribs, add the blanched pork ribs to the pot at this stage. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil.
• Add the lotus root and optional ingredients: Once the broth is boiling, drain the lotus root slices from their soaking water and add them to the pot. If you’re adding optional ingredients like goji berries or red dates, you can add them at this point as well.
• Simmer and season the soup: Reduce the heat to low and Let the soup simmer gently for about 40-60 minutes. After the lotus root is tender and the soup is fragrant, season with salt and pepper to taste. 
• Serve: Serve the soup warm, either on its own or as part of a larger meal. It pairs well with steamed rice and a side of vegetables.

Here’s to a Speedy Recovery With These Confinement Recipes

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Being a mum is hard work, but you’re doing an amazing job! Get your daytime confinement nanny from NewBubs Confinement to prepare these food recipes so you can nourish yourself with these nutrient-rich confinement meals while taking care of your little one.