Rujuta Diwekar: Post Pregnancy Diet Plan

If you are close to your due date or have just had a baby, then you are definitely thinking of how to lose all that ‘baby weight’. Are family and neighbours advising you to eat things you have never even heard of? Have you consulted a zillion books to find out what you should be eating? Has your doctor asked you to continue your supplements at least for the next three months, until your body is back to normal? If your answer to any of the above is yes, then this post is for you.

Rujuta Diwekar, celebrated nutritionist and exercise consultant is very vocal about following grandma’s ancient Indian food wisdom and uncomplicating the art of eating. Here are some of her tips from her new book Indian Superfoods on what you must eat to help you bounce back into shape post-pregnancy. They are surprisingly simple.

1. Edible Gum/ Gond/ Dinka

Rujuta dedicates an entire section to this Indian secret ingredient and says you must eat it post pregnancy because it "literally (helps) keep it all together – From nourishing the brain, boosting the immune system, helping with digestion to tightening your vagina ." It has anti-ageing properties, brings back your sexual drive, and helps improve insulin sensitivity. And if you have ever asked, "Do I really need to eat those laddoos?" Rujuta says small bites are fine if you don't want to indulge. It is important to remember that these laddoos are nutrient rich in phytonutrients that help gut bacteria come back to normal.

How To Use Gond

Gond Ladoos to eat in the first-month post delivery
Herbal teas
Kheer

Sonth Ke Laddu

Khajoor Pak

2. Ajwain/Carom Seeds

Your grandma's go-to-herb for all digestion problems has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties which help protect your baby and you. The disturbed sleep cycle that a baby causes disturbs the stomach too, bringing with it gas and acidity.

Rujuta says "There is almost nothing that can cure it as instantly and compassionately as ajwain can. This one doesn't come in the way of nutrient absorption and will help you with excretion of all that's holding you behind."

How To Use Ajwain

Ajwain Ka Pani
Mix it in your atta

3. Bajra

The pearl millet or bajra has all the minerals, fibres and amino acids that are required for an accelerated recovery post delivery. It helps boost immunity, ensuring that your heavy period doesn't leave you vulnerable to developing itches, discharges or infections. Rujuta advises that "always eat bajra with generous amounts of ghee".

How To Use Bajra

Bajra Roti or Bhakri
Bajra Kheer or porridge
Bajra Kheechiya

4. Sesame/Til

This is Rujuta's favourite seed and she says that it's "an appetite regulator, helps burn stubborn fat and regulates blood glucose response". She lets you in on an Arabic secret – this is the secret formula to the Arabic woman's complexion and ageless skin.

How To Use Til

Til Laddoos

Til Chikki
Til Chutney
Til Oil applied to the skin before a bath

5. Aliv/Watercress Seeds/Halim

In her book Indian Superfoods, Rujuta has called it the beauty pill for its iron-rich properties and ability to keep fatigue and irritability at bay. When soaked in coconut water, this red seed will make sure you don’t get drained out with the post-delivery bleeding and your minerals are replenished.

How To Use Aliv

Aliv Laddoo
Aliv Kheer
Crush it with sesame seeds and make a chutney

Coconut

The lauric acid in coconut milk protects you from " infections, nurtures your nerves, boosts your body's effort to let off excess fat stores. A very important but often overlooked lactating agent".

How To Use Coconut