If you’re a breastfeeding mothers, you’ll have likely considered how diet and food can affect your breast milk.
This can include questions like whether you should avoid certain foods to prevent allergies in your baby, or eating special foods to improve the quality of your milk for your baby.
Fortunately, ensuring that you eat various fresh, healthy foods is the best thing you can do for your breastfeeding diet. There are a few other considerations to make in your diet, which will be covered below.
This article will cover everything you need to know about following a diet plan for lactating mothers and give you a sample 7 day plan to follow that contains daily meals and a shopping list.
You can jump straight into the 7 day pdf of the plan here.
View Diet Plan For Lactating Mothers PDF
How to Follow a Diet for Lactating Mothers
Generally, you’ll want to follow standard healthy eating advice. This generally includes:
- 2-3 portions of protein per day from sources such as meat, fish, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, dairy and eggs.
- Multiple portions of fruit and vegetables per day, particularly leafy green vegetables from sources such as spinach and broccoli
- Includes whole grains in your diet daily like whole grain bread, pasta and oatmeal. Bowel problems and constipation are not uncommon after a pregnancy, which fiber helps with.
- Oily fish at least twice a week, which includes foods such as salmon, tuna, herring and mackerel
- Drink plenty of fluids, mainly in the form of water. Breastfeeding often causes mothers to be thirsty, so have a drink on hand ready
- Dietary restrictions from pregnancy do not apply to breastfeeding moms.
If you are vegetarian, this is compatible. You can follow our vegetarian diet plan if you’re looking for a specific diet plan to follow. Be sure to eat sufficient amounts iron, vitamin B12 and zinc from healthy plant-based sources.
If you don’t eat any animal products, such as a vegan diet, be sure to take a B12 supplement to ensure your baby does not develop a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Foods to Eat on Pregnancy Diet for First Trimester
- Fruits. apples, pears, berries, citrus fruits like oranges
- Vegetables. All kinds of vegetables are great, but particularly cruciferous vegetables (e.g broccoli, cauliflower)
- Whole grains. E.g brown bread, quinoa, bulgur wheat. These are rich in fiber.
- Beans and legumes. E.g chickpeas, lentils, black beans. These are excellent plant-based proteins
- Lean meat. E.g fish, chicken, turkey.
- Low-fat dairy. E.g milk, eggs, yogurt. These contain less saturated fat than full-fat dairy, but be sure to check the labels for extra added sugars
- Nuts and seeds. E.g almonds, walnuts, pistachios, flaxseeds and chia seeds.
- Extra-virgin Olive oil. Choose extra-virgin varieties, which aren’t diluted with cheaper oils.
- Fatty fish. E.g salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring.
Foods to Limit on Diet Plan for Lactating Mothers
By all means, treat yourself occasionally – but don’t make a habit of eating these foods regularly:
- Junk foods: fast food and potato chips
- Refined carbohydrates: white bread, pasta, crackers, flour tortillas, biscuits
- Fried foods: french fries, donuts, fried meats
- Sugar-sweetened beverages: soda, tea with added sugar, sports drinks
- Processed meats: bacon, canned meat, salami, sausages
- Trans fats: vegetable oil and margarine
Nutrients to Focus On For Lactating Mothers
By eating a balanced diet, you should be able to obtain all the vitamins and minerals you need without supplementation.
However, there are a few to consider, as certain vitamins will be needed in higher amounts if you are breastfeeding.
Calcium
An adult will need roughly 700mg of calcium per day. However, for breastfeeding mothers, this rises to 1,000 and 1,500 mg.
Calcium is found in high amounts in dairy foods like milk, cheese and yogurt.
However, it is also found in seeds, sardines, beans and lentils, almonds and leafy greens like collard greens, spinach, and kale.
Iron
Iron is important to make haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells around the body. It helps proper neurological development during infancy.
Most newborns have enough iron in their bodies for their first 6 months. After that, external sources of iron are needed apart from breast milk, as this contains little iron.
If an infant is receiving iron-fortified instant formula, additional iron supplementation isn’t necessary.
If an infant is receiving only iron-fortified infant formula (during the time before complementary foods are given), then additional iron supplementation is not necessary.
Iron can be found in foods such as beef, chicken, beans nuts and dried fruit.
Iodine
A breastfeeding mother’s iodine requirements will increase from 150 µg before pregnancy to 290 µg during breastfeeding. Breast mik does contain iodine, but the concentration may vary depending on the iodine levels within the mother.
If a pregnant or breastfeeding woman is iodine deficient, this can cause cognitive and psychomotor impairments.
Iodine-rich foods include:
- Seaweed
- Fish, shellfish (cod, canned tuna, oysters, shrimp)
- Dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt)
- Eggs
- Beef liver
- Chicken
Vitamin K
Babies have low levels of vitamin K within their bodies. Vitamin K is needed to form blood clots and stop bleeding.
Babies who don’t receive vitamin K have a small risk (1 in 10,000) of a condition called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding. This is a potentially dangerous condition and can be reduced by giving the baby vitamin K after birth.
Vitamin K is found in very low levels within breast milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all newborns, whether breastfed or formula fed, receive a one-time intramuscular shot of vitamin K within 6 hours after birth.
If the shot is received, no further supplementation is required.
Choline
Your daily needs actually increase post-pregnancy from 450 to 550 mg. Choline supports your baby’s cognitive functioning.
Foods high in choline include:
- Eggs
- Fish
- Soybeans
- Beef
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli
- Almonds
- Quinoa
Should I Avoid Alcohol Whilst Breastfeeding?
Although an occasional drink is unlikely to do much harm, not drinking alcohol is probably the safest option for mothers who breastfeed.
Moderate consumption is considered to be up to 1 standard drink per day. At this level, it is not known to be harmful to the infant, particularly if the mother waits 2-3 hours before nursing.
However, drinking above these levels can impair a mother’s judgement and ability to safely give care. For example, drinking alcohol is linked to a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome caused from actions like sharing a bed or sofa with your baby.
Alcohol passes into the breast milk affecting its taste and smell – this may affect a baby’s feeding. It’s best to wait for 2-3 hours after the drink (1 unit) for the alcohol to be removed.
As alcohol passes into breast milk and affects its taste and smell, a baby’s feeding might be affected. Avoid this by feeding two to three hours after drinking alcohol or expressing milk before drinking alcohol.
Should I Avoid Caffeine Whilst Breastfeeding?
Caffeine can get into breast milk and this can affect the baby. Whilst not harmful, caffeine is a stimulant and it can therefore make your baby restless.
Reducing intake to less than 200mg a day is considered a good idea. Caffeine can be found in many different foods and drinks. These include:
- 1 mug of tea: 75mg
- 1 mug of filter coffee: 140mg
- 1 mug of instant coffee: 100mg
- 1 250ml small can of energy drink: 80mg
- 1 cola drink (354mls): 40mg
- 1 50g plain chocolate bar: up to 50mg
Decaffeinated teas and coffees, herbal teas and water are good alternatives. Fruit juices are also good for reduced caffeine, but they are higher in sugar, so it’s best not to consume more than one 150ml glass a day.
How Many Calories Do You Need Whilst Breastfeeding?
Although the exact recommendations differ, generally you’ll be burning more calories whilst breastfeeding. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an additional 330 – 400 calories a day vs before pregnancy.
This will change depending on age, body mass index, activity levels and how much breastfeeding the woman.
What’s the Best Diet for a Lactating Mother?
Many experts recommend choosing a Mediterranean diet to follow both because of how healthy it is and how sustainable it is to follow over the long-term. US News ranked it as the number 1 diet.
Many credible organizations suggest following a Mediterranean diet for longevity and health. These include:
- Harvard Medical School
- Osteoarthritis Foundation Internal
- Mayo Clinic
- American Heart Association
- Arthritis Foundation
Many studies find very positive feedback from people following the Mediterranean diet across a number of different health markers. We’ve listed some studies alongside the health conditions below.
- Lower risk of cardiovascular events, coronary heart disease, (1, 2)
- Lower risk of coronary heart disease (3, 4)
- Lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (5)
- Lower risk of breast cancer (6)
- Lower risk of obesity (7)
- Better cognitive function (8)
How to Follow a Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet pyramid below gives a good visual indication of what foods to prioritize.
At the bottom are common staple foods that are to be consumed in large amounts and more frequently. Portion sizes and frequency decline as you go up the pyramid.
The pyramid intentionally does not specify recommended weights of foods or calories. It is only meant to provide an overall look at healthy food choices and their relative proportions.
It does this because good health has been attributed to variation within the overall dietary pattern. The more variety you get within the specified relative allowances per category – the better.
7 Day Meal Plan for Lactating Mother
Diet Plan for Lactating Mother
In the meal plan are recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | |
---|---|---|---|
Monday | Banana Yogurt Pots | Cannellini Bean Salad | Quick Moussaka |
Tuesday | Tomato and Watermelon Salad | Edgy Veggie Wraps | Spicy Tomato Baked Eggs |
Wednesday | Blueberry Oats Bowl | Carrot, Orange and Avocado Salad | Salmon with Potatoes and Corn Salad |
Thursday | Banana Yogurt Pots | Mixed Bean Salad | Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup |
Friday | Tomato and Watermelon Salad | Panzanella Salad | Med Chicken, Quinoa and Greek Salad |
Saturday | Blueberry Oats Bowl | Quinoa and Stir Fried Veg | Grilled Vegetables with Bean Mash |
Sunday | Banana Yogurt Pots | Moroccan Chickpea Soup | Spicy Mediterranean Beet Salad |
Snacks are recommended between meal times. Some good snacks include:
- A handful of nuts or seeds
- A piece of fruit
- Carrots or baby carrots
- Berries or grapes
View Diet Plan For Lactating Mothers PDF
Recipes for Lactating Mother Diet Plan
Day 1: Monday
Breakfast: Banana Yogurt Pots
Nutrition
- Calories – 236
- Protein – 14g
- Carbs – 32g
- Fat – 7g
Prep time: 5 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 225g /⅞ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 bananas, sliced into chunks
- 15g / 2 tbsp walnuts, toasted and chopped
Instructions
- Place some of the yogurt into the bottom of a glass. Add a layer of banana, then yogurt and repeat. Once the glass is full, scatter with the nuts.
Lunch: Cannellini Bean Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 302
- Protein – 20g
- Carbs – 54g
- Fat – 0g
Prep time: 5 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 600g / 3 cups cannellini beans
- 70g / ⅜ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ tbsp red wine vinegar
- small bunch basil, torn
Instructions
- Rinse and drain the beans and mix with the tomatoes, onion and vinegar. Season, then add basil just before serving.
Dinner: Moussaka
Nutrition
- Calories – 577
- Protein – 27g
- Carbs – 46g
- Fat – 27g
Prep time + cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 250g / 9 oz lean beef mince
- 200g can / 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 200g can / 1 cup chickpeas
- 100g pack / ⅔ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Mint (fresh preferable)
- Brown bread, to serve
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a pan. Add the onion and garlic and fry until soft. Add the mince and fry for 3-4 minutes until browned.
- Tip the tomatoes into the pan and stir in the tomato purée and cinnamon, then season. Leave the mince to simmer for 20 minutes. Add the chickpeas halfway through.
- Sprinkle the feta and mint over the mince. Serve with toasted bread.
View Diet Plan For Lactating Mothers PDF
Day 2: Tuesday
Breakfast: Tomato and Watermelon Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 177
- Protein – 5g
- Carbs – 13g
- Fat – 13g
Prep time + cook time: 5 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- ¼ tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tbsp chopped mint
- 120g / ⅝ cup tomatoes, chopped
- ½ watermelon, cut into chunks
- 50g / ⅔ cup feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- For the dressing, Mix the oil, vinegar, chilli flakes and mint and then season.
- Put the tomatoes and watermelon into a bowl. Pour over the dressing, add the feta, then serve.
Lunch: Edgy Veggie Wraps
Nutrition
- Calories – 310
- Protein – 11g
- Carbs – 39g
- Fat – 11g
Prep time + cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 100g / ½ cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cucumber
- 6 Kalamata olives
- 2 large wholemeal tortilla wraps
- 50g / ¼ cup feta cheese
- 2 tbsp hummus
Instructions
- Chop the tomatoes, cut the cucumber into sticks, split the olives and remove the stones.
- Heat the tortillas.
- Spread the houmous over the wrap. Put the vegetable mix in the middle and roll up.
Dinner: Spicy Tomato Baked Eggs
Nutrition
- Calories – 417
- Protein – 19g
- Carbs – 45g
- Fat – 17g
Prep time + cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 red onions, chopped
- 1 red chilli, deseeded & chopped
- 1 garlic clove, sliced
- small bunch coriander, stalks and leaves chopped separately
- 800g can / 4 cups cherry tomatoes
- 4 eggs
- brown bread, to serve
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a frying pan with a lid, then cook the onions, chilli, garlic and coriander stalks for 5 minutes until soft. Stir in the tomatoes, then simmer for 8-10 minutes.
- Using the back of a large spoon, make 4 dips in the sauce, then crack an egg into each one. Put a lid on the pan, then cook over a low heat for 6-8 mins, until the eggs are done to your liking. Scatter with the coriander leaves and serve with bread.
View Diet Plan For Lactating Mothers PDF
Day 3: Wednesday
Breakfast: Blueberry Oats Bowl
Nutrition
- Calories – 235
- Protein – 13g
- Carbs – 38g
- Fat – 4g
Prep time + cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 60g / ⅔ cup porridge oats
- 160g / ⅗ cup Greek yogurt
- 175g / ¾ blueberries
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- Put the oats in a pan with 400ml of water. Heat and stir for about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add a third of the yogurt.
- Tip the blueberries into a pan with the honey and 1 tbsp of water. Gently poach until the blueberries are tender.
- Spoon the porridge into bowls and add the remaining yogurt and blueberries.
Lunch: Carrot, Orange and Avocado Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 177
- Protein – 5g
- Carbs – 13g
- Fat – 13g
Prep time + cook time: 5 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 orange, plus zest and juice of 1
- 2 carrots, halved lengthways and sliced with a peeler
- 35g / 1 ½ cups rocket / arugula
- 1 avocado, stoned, peeled and sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Cut the segments from 1 of the oranges and put in a bowl with the carrots, rocket/arugula and avocado. Whisk together the orange juice, zest and oil. Toss through the salad, and season.
Dinner: Salmon with Potatoes and Corn Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 479
- Protein – 43g
- Carbs – 27g
- Fat – 21g
Prep time + cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 200g / 1 ⅓ cups baby new potatoes
- 1 sweetcorn cob
- 2 skinless salmon fillets
- 60g / ⅓ cup tomatoes
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- Bunch of spring onions/scallions, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp capers, finely chopped
- handful basil leaves
Instructions
- Cook potatoes in boiling water until tender, adding corn for final 5 minutes. Drain & cool.
- For the dressing, mix the vinegar, oil, shallot, capers, basil & seasoning.
- Heat grill to high. Rub some dressing on salmon & cook, skinned side down, for 7-8 minutes. Slice tomatoes & place on a plate. Slice the potatoes, cut the corn from the cob & add to plate. Add the salmon & drizzle over the remaining dressing.
View Diet Plan For Lactating Mothers PDF
Day 4: Thursday
Breakfast: Banana Yogurt Pots
Lunch: Mixed Bean Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 240
- Protein – 11g
- Carbs – 22g
- Fat – 12g
Prep time + cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 145g / ⅘ cup jar artichoke heart in oil
- ½ tbsp sundried tomato paste
- ½ tsp red wine vinegar
- 200g can / 1 cup cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 150g / ¾ cup tomatoes, quartered
- handful Kalamata black olives
- 2 spring onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
- 100g / ⅔ cup feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Drain the jar of artichokes, reserving 1-2 tbsp of oil. Add the oil, sun-dried tomato paste and vinegar and stir until smooth. Season to taste.
- Chop the artichokes and tip into a bowl. Add the cannellini beans, tomatoes, olives, spring onions and half of the feta cheese. Stir in the artichoke oil mixture and tip into a serving bowl. Crumble over the remaining feta cheese, then serve.
Dinner: Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup
Nutrition
- Calories – 238
- Protein – 11g
- Carbs – 34g
- Fat – 7g
Prep time + cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- pinch chilli flakes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 300g /2 cups carrots, washed and coarsely grated
- 70g / ⅓ cup split red lentils
- 500ml / 2 ¼ cups hot vegetable stock
- 60ml / ¼ cup milk
- Greek yogurt, to serve
Instructions
- Heat a large saucepan and dry fry the cumin seeds and chilli flakes for 1 minute. Scoop out about half of the seeds with a spoon and set aside. Add the oil, carrot, lentils, stock and milk to the pan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15 minutes until the lentils have swollen and softened.
- Whizz the soup with a stick blender or in a food processor until smooth. Season to taste and finish with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkling of the reserved toasted spices.
View Diet Plan For Lactating Mothers PDF
Day 5: Friday
Breakfast: Tomato and Watermelon Salad
Lunch: Panzanella Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 452
- Protein – 6g
- Carbs – 37g
- Fat – 25g
Prep time + cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 400g / 2 cups tomatoes
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed
- 1 ripe avocado, stoned, peeled and chopped
- 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced
- 2 slices of brown bread
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- small handful basil leaves
Instructions
- Chop the tomatoes and put them in a bowl. Season well and add the garlic, capers, avocado and onion. Mix well and set aside for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, tear the bread into chunks and place in a bowl. Drizzle over half of the olive oil and half of the vinegar. When ready to serve, scatter tomatoes and basil leaves and drizzle with remaining oil and vinegar. Stir before serving.
Dinner: Med Chicken, Quinoa and Greek Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 473
- Protein – 36g
- Carbs – 57g
- Fat – 25g
Prep time + cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 100g / ⅗ cup quinoa
- ½ red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 150g / ¾ cup tomatoes, roughly chopped
- handful pitted black kalamata olives
- ½ red onion, finely sliced
- 50g / ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- small bunch mint leaves, chopped
- juice and zest ½ lemon
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa following the pack instructions, then rinse in cold water and drain thoroughly.
- Meanwhile, toss the chicken fillets in the olive oil with some seasoning, chilli and garlic. Lay in a hot pan and cook for 3-4 minutes each side or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside
- Next, tip the tomatoes, olives, onion, feta and mint into a bowl. Toss in the cooked quinoa. Stir through the remaining olive oil, lemon juice and zest, and season well. Serve with the chicken on top.
View Diet Plan For Lactating Mothers PDF
Day 6: Saturday
Breakfast: Blueberry Oats Bowl
Lunch: Quinoa and Stir Fried Veg
Nutrition
- Calories – 473
- Protein – 11g
- Carbs – 56g
- Fat – 25g
Prep time + cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 100g / ⅗ cup quinoa
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, cut into thin sticks
- 150g / 1 ⅔ leek, sliced
- 1 broccoli head, cut into small florets
- 50g / ¼ cup tomatoes
- 100ml / ¼ cup vegetable stock
- 1 tsp tomato purée
- juice ½ lemon
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa according to pack instructions. Meanwhile, heat 3 tbsp of the oil in a pan, then add the garlic and quickly fry for 1 minute. Throw in the carrots, leeks and broccoli, then stir-fry for 2 minutes until everything is glistening.
- Add the tomatoes, mix together the stock and tomato purée, then add to the pan. Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Drain the quinoa and toss in the remaining oil and lemon juice. Divide between warm plates and spoon the vegetables on top.
Dinner: Grilled Vegetables with Bean Mash
Nutrition
- Calories – 314
- Protein – 19g
- Carbs – 33g
- Fat – 16g
Prep time + cook time: 40 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 pepper, deseeded & quartered
- 1 aubergine, sliced lengthways
- 2 courgettes, sliced lengthways
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- For the mash
- 400g / 2 cups haricot beans, rinsed
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 100ml / ½ cup vegetable stock
- 1 tbsp chopped coriander
Instructions
- Heat the grill. Arrange the vegetables over a grill pan &brush lightly with oil. Grill until lightly browned, turn them over, brush again with oil, then grill until tender.
- Meanwhile, put the beans in a pan with garlic and stock. Bring to the boil, then simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Mash roughly with a potato masher. Divide the vegetables and mash between 2 plates, drizzle over oil and sprinkle with black pepper and coriander.
View Diet Plan For Lactating Mothers PDF
Day 7: Sunday
Breakfast: Banana Yogurt Pots
Lunch: Moroccan Chickpea Soup
Nutrition
- Calories – 408
- Protein – 15g
- Carbs – 63g
- Fat – 11g
Prep time + cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 1 celery sticks, chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 300ml / 1 ¼ cups hot vegetable stock
- 200g can / 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 200g can / 1 cup chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 50g / ¼ cup frozen broad beans
- zest and juice ½ lemon
- coriander & bread to serve
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a saucepan, then fry the onion and celery for 10 minutes until softened. Add the cumin and fry for another minute.
- Turn up the heat, then add the stock, tomatoes, chickpeas and black pepper. Simmer for 8 minutes. Add broad beans and lemon juice and cook for a further 2 minutes. Top with lemon zest and coriander.
Dinner: Spicy Mediterranean Beet Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 548
- Protein – 23g
- Carbs – 58g
- Fat – 20g
Prep time + cook time: 40 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 8 raw baby beetroots, or 4 medium, scrubbed
- ½ tbsp sumac
- ½ tbsp ground cumin
- 400g can / 2 cups chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- 200g / ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp harissa paste
- 1 tsp crushed red chilli flakes
- mint leaves, chopped, to serve
Instructions
- Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7. Halve or quarter beetroots depending on size. Mix spices together. On a large baking tray, mix chickpeas and beetroot with the oil. Season with salt & sprinkle over the spices. Mix again. Roast for 30 minutes.
- While the vegetables are cooking, mix the lemon zest and juice with the yogurt. Swirl the harissa through and spread into a bowl. Top with the beetroot & chickpeas, and sprinkle with the chilli flakes & mint.
View Diet Plan For Lactating Mothers PDF
Diet Plan for Lactating Mother Shopping List
This shopping list corresponds to the 7 day plan, serving 2 people. No snacks are included.
View Diet Plan For Lactating Mothers PDF
Life After the Meal Plan
Find More Recipes On Our Site
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We’ve got plenty of recipes online already. Just use the search function on our home page if you’re looking for a specific ingredient or check out our recipe page.
Disclosure
We would like to take a moment to note that this post is for information purposes only. It does not claim to provide medical advice or to be able to treat any medical condition. If you have any concerns regarding your health please contact your medical practitioner before making changes.