Oatmeal is a Good Feeding Food

No doubt you’ve heard that oatmeal is a “heart healthy” food.  According to researchers, consuming a bowl of oatmeal daily can lower your blood cholesterol and help to maintain healthy blood pressure. [1] But, did you know this gooey comfort food may also support your body’s efforts in lactation?

Undoubtedly, a nursing mama wants to eat a healthy, balanced diet and oatmeal is a wise choice within such a diet. But oatmeal is also a comfort food and the simple act of sitting down to a warm, nourishing bowl of this breakfast staple many help you relax, which then may stimulate your body to release the oxytocin hormone, promoting milk production, and successively, encourage letdown. [2]

Here are two oatmeal recipes that we love – one for the morning and one, well it’s cookies, so anytime!

Spiced Oatmeal with Dried Fruit [3]

by Elizabeth Stark

Yields: 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup old-fashion rolled oats
• 3 tablespoons dried cranberries, chopped
• 3 tablespoons crystallized ginger, sliced
• 3 tablespoons prunes, sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup whole milk

Directions:

• Bring the water and salt to a boil.
• Stir in the oats, reduce heat to low and cook for 10 – 15 minutes.
• At the 7 minute mark, stir in the dried fruit.
• When the oats are tender, add the honey, and then the milk.
• Spoon into bowls, and serve with a garnish of dried fruit and a drizzle of honey.
•  

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies [4]

by Noel Trujillo

Yields 4 ½ dozen

Ingredients:

• 1 
cup butter
• 1 
cup sugar
• 1 
cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 4 
tablespoons water
• 2 
tablespoons flax seed meal
• 2 
eggs
• 1 
teaspoon vanilla
• 2 
cups flour
• 1 
teaspoon baking soda
• 1 
teaspoon salt
• 3 
cups oats
• 1 
cup chocolate chips
• 2 - 4 tablespoons brewer's yeast

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Mix the flaxseed meal and water and let sit for 3-5 minutes.
• Beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar well.
• Add eggs and mix well.
• Add flaxseed mix and vanilla, beat well.
• Sift together flour, brewers yeast, baking soda, and salt.
• Add dry ingredients to butter mix.
• Stir in oats and chips.
• Scoop onto baking sheet.
• Bake for 12 minutes.
• Let set for a couple minutes then remove from tray.

*This blog is informed by our resident moms-in-the-know and not by medical professionals. This blog is intended to share the wisdom of experienced moms but never to replace the advice and insight of your doctors. Always consult proper and licensed medical professionals when making any decisions about your health and the health of your children. 

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[1] http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol/art-20045192

[2] http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/oatmeal/

[3] http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/best-oatmeal-ever-spiced-oatmeal-with-dried-fruit/

[4] http://www.food.com/recipe/oatmeal-chocolate-chip-lactation-cookies-by-noel-trujillo-192346