Tag: gondh ladoos

5 Best Foods for Breastfeeding Mothers

Posted on by anshubhojnagarwala

A breastfeeding mother has to be available 24 hours a day for nursing duty. As the body actively makes milk, most new mothers feel hungry often. Hence, it’s important that breastfeeding mothers consume nutrient-rich food that help to not only replenish their body but also to increase milk supply. A healthy mix of proteins, fats and carbohydrates are ideal for breastfeeding mother. Let’s take a look at the 5 best foods for breastfeeding mothers.

Nuts and Seeds

Almonds rich in calcium and omega-3 fatty acids stimulate milk-making hormones. No wonder, a new mother is usually given a bowl full of soaked and peeled almonds first thing in the morning. Either grab a handful or eat it in the form of almond butter, almond shake or milk. Similarly, peanuts are said to help too. It is said that early exposure to peanuts might reduce the chances of nut allergy in kids.

Fox nuts or makhana. They are rich in calcium and help in milk supply. Roast in ghee till they become crunchy, add salt and black pepper.

Seeds are high in protein, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. Use them liberally in cookies, chikkis, ladoos or sprinkle them on your salad or fruit bowl. Or make a trail mix using a variety of seeds like sesame seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and melon seeds. Throw in some dry berries, dry coconut shavings, cacao nibs and you are good to go.

Fenugreek seeds are known to be a galactagogue, which means it helps in boosting milk production. Eat fenugreek or methi ladoos or just soak some seeds overnight and consume it in the morning, or crush seeds into a powder and take 1-2 tsp first thing in the morning.

Green leafy vegetables

Green leafy vegetables have to feature in the list of food for breastfeeding mothers. Whether it’s spinach, dill, fenugreek leaves or mustard, green leafy vegetables are high in minerals such as folate, iron and calcium. They are known to enhance lactation if you include one or two portions of greens daily in your diet.

Have them in the form of subzi or make salad out of baby spinach, use fenugreek in thepla or paratha, and you will get a variety of things that you won’t get bored of easily.

Edible Gum

Edible gum is sap harvested from plants and then dried. Gond, gondh katira, dink or tracaganth gum is an edible gum and widely popular as lactation-friendly. Fry gond in ghee, crush it in a mixer or a mortar-pestle and use it in gondh ladoos, chikki or halwa.

Dairy

Dairy products are rich in protein, which is essential to produce milk, and calcium. Consume milk, paneer, ghee and yogurt; they are good foods for lactating mothers.

Herbs

Herbs like turmeric, ashwagandha, ganthoda, etc. are good foods for breastfeeding mothers. Add turmeric powder or ganthoda powder in warm milk. Ashwagandha capsules are available, have 1 a day or as prescribed on the box.

These are the best foods for mothers for breastfeeding. However, remember, only a good diet doesn’t help. A mother should also

Stay stress free

Consume plenty of water

Indulge in light exercise

Have a great time nourishing your newborn!

13 Valuable Tips For Breastfeeding Success For New Mothers

Posted on by anshubhojnagarwala

A newborn baby suckling at the breast is one of the greatest joys of motherhood. Most women look forward to breastfeeding as soon as they deliver. However, the breastfeeding experience is not always a happy one. There can be breastfeeding challenges in the first few days. Many new mothers can experience discomfort, even fierce pain while breastfeeding their newborn. Newborn babies, especially preemies have latching problems. This can lead to new mothers dreading the breastfeeding activity, ignoring the cries from their wailing baby or weaning off their baby and giving their baby formula milk. Here are 13 valuable tips for breastfeeding success for new mothers.

  • Find a private or secluded place to nurse your baby. Away from prying eyes, you will find you are more comfortable nursing and will connect better to your body and your baby.
  • Put on a nipple shield. Made of silicone, it can protect your nipple while nursing.
  • Rub a little petroleum jelly on your nipples after nursing. You can even rub your own milk. It helps in healing cracked or sore nipples.
  • Don’t be alarmed if you leak. It’s perfectly natural for new mothers to leak, especially if they produce more milk and their baby is not consuming it all.
  • Eat healthy. Lactation friendly foods like green leafy vegetables, Gondh Ladoos, coconut, nuts and seeds, sago, are known to increase breast milk.
  • Drink plenty of water, especially before and after feeding your baby. Staying hydrated helps with the smoother milk flow.
  • Find a breastfeeding position that is the most comfortable for you. And it is OK to lie down and nurse. However, avoid nursing lying down if you are feeling sleepy. You might roll over onto your baby during sleep.
  • Wear nursing or breastfeeding bras or nursing friendly clothes. It’s easier to nurse when you are comfortable.
  • Invest in an electric breast pump. It’s faster, less painful and very convenient. It can be very handy in the first few months when your baby has latching problems and you experience immense pain while breastfeeding. You can express your milk and feed your baby your own milk through the bottles.
  • Not every mother feeds and enjoys the process from day one. To get comfortable breastfeeding sometimes takes time, and it’s perfectly fine. Take your time. You and your baby will get there.
  • The more you nurse, the more milk you produce. Many mothers worry that they are not producing enough milk. Don’t worry. Your body is very smart. It produces enough milk to take care of your baby’s need. As your baby demands, your body produces milk accordingly to satisfy him or her.
  • If you are still not comfortable feeding, think about giving formula to your child. Remember, a well-fed child is more important than a baby who doesn’t get adequate mother’s milk. And ignore people; they will still talk.
  • Talk to a doctor or lactation consultant if you have worries. There is nothing wrong in seeking out help. Do not suffer in silence. It is neither good for you, nor for your baby.

So these are 13 valuable tips for breastfeeding success for new mothers. Hope they will come in useful for you.

Gondh Ladoo – Why This High Calorie Ladoo is Ideal for New Mothers After Delivery?

Posted on by anshubhojnagarwala

After delivery, I was given gondh ladoos. I was told it was good for breastfeeding mothers and provided strength to new mothers. Initially, I didn’t like it. But then I got so hooked to its taste and the way it satiated me that I ate gondh ladoos guilt-free for a year, till I breastfed my baby. New mothers are served this high calorie ladoo after delivery especially in states like UP, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Traditional gaundh ladoos are made of gond or edible gum, whole wheat flour, desi ghee, chunky nuts, seeds, coconut and some spices. And they contain various nutrients such as iron, calcium, Vitamin A and also food groups like protein, unsaturated fats and carbohydrates.

Gondh, gondh katira, dink or tragacanth gum is a colourless and odourless gum made from the sap of plants called gondh or locoweed. It is dried, which then forms into crystals.

Let us understand in a little detail why this high calorie gondh ladoo is a post pregnancy food.

Lactation friendly – A new mother needs more protein in her diet as she is breastfeeding her newborn. Gondh ladoos contain a good amount of protein that increases a mother’s milk supply and hence is ideal for breastfeeding mothers.

Strengthens bones – Most new mothers suffer from back pain. Gondh helps in strengthening bones and inflammation of the joints.

Helps in menstrual flow – Gondh or tragacanth gum keeps the menstrual flow in check and helps in menstrual cramps.

Boosts immunity – Gondh ladoos with gondh and spices like black pepper and dried ginger root powder along with other ingredients, boost immunity and help a new mother recover from post-partum ailments sooner.

Relieves constipation – Gondh high in calcium and magnesium has digestive and laxative properties, which is highly welcome as new mothers might suffer from constipation and fear hurting their stitches in perineum after hysterectomy. Also, fats like ghee helps in softening and smooth passing of the stool.

Maintains skin health – Gondh has anti-aging properties and is known to delay the onset of fine lines and wrinkles. Also, with nuts and seeds, gondh helps in putting the radiance back in your skin. Now, you know why most new mothers radiate with good health. It’s the gondh ladoos along with other post delivery foods given to her.

Satiates – A new mother who is breastfeeding feels constantly hungry. At least it was the case with me. As soon as I finished one meal, I thought about what I was going to eat next. At a time like this, these high calorie gondh ladoos provide extra calories needed by a new mother and keep her full for a few hours.

Some things to keep in mind regards to Gondh Ladoo:

  • Eat one or two gondh ladoos daily.
  • Gond ladoos are more enjoyable with hot milk.
  • Gond ladoos are ideal for breakfast or as mid-meal fillers.
  • If you don’t like ladoos, you can even make it as halwa or barfi.
  • While these ladoos are fulfilling and highly recommended for new mothers, they are not given to pregnant mothers, because of its warm properties.
  • Since gondh ladoos are made of nutrient-rich foods like ghee, nuts, seeds and gondh, it is a perfect energy snack for kids and adults alike in the winter.

If you are a new mother or soon to be a mother, keep in mind to eat these high calorie gondh ladoos after delivery.

5 Immunity Boosting Foods for Monsoon Everyone Should Consume

Posted on by anshubhojnagarwala

Monsoons are here, and so are the bevy of different monsoon maladies like viral fever, the common cold and cough, malaria, dengue, typhoid, diarrhoea and chikungunya. It will surprise you to know that most absenteeism in school and offices during the monsoon is due to the common cold, due to the viruses that thrive in the humid conditions. However, as all viruses go, the common cold is avoidable. Apart from wearing a mask in crowded places, you can boost your immunity to avoid common cold. Here are 5 Immunity Boosting Foods for Monsoon.

Spices and herbs – Spices and herbs like ginger, tulsi, turmeric, mint/spearmint, pepper, garlic, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg are bestowed with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial benefits.

  • Ginger tops the list because most ailments start from the stomach, and ginger is a top digestion-aiding spice. Add ginger generously to your diet during the monsoon. Have adrak wali chai, add ground ginger paste while preparing foods or make fresh ginger pickle to go with your meals. Keep Soonth powder or dry ginger root powder handy and add it to your milk or tea.

Our Gondh Ladoos make use of many immunity boosting spices like dry ginger powder and black pepper that are good for both cold and cough.

  • Add turmeric, pepper, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg to your milk or make a kadha or concoction of them and consume regularly.
  • Fenugreek seeds are good for digestion too. Have soaked methi seeds in the morning on empty stomach.

Nuts and Seeds – Nuts and seeds are a storehouse of antioxidants, healthy fats, minerals and vitamins. Have nuts and seeds to ramp up your immunity.

Try our Nutty Dates Ragi Ladoos which have dates and nuts like almonds, pistachios and walnuts.

Vegetables and Fruits – Monsoon is the time to indulge in gourd veggies like bottle gourd, ridge gourd, ash gourd, bitter gourd, pumpkin, snake gourd. It gives a boost to your gut health and keeps you relatively disease-free.

Fruits like papaya, cherries, plums, peaches, apples and pineapples are packed with vitamin A and/or C that help your body’s natural defence against illness and infections. Have them regularly in your diet.

Sweet limes and lemons full of vitamin C and antioxidants are some of the monsoon fruits to be indulged in.

Probiotics – As we said, you need to keep your gut flora healthy, and it will take care of your overall physical wellbeing. And we recommend probiotics like curds, buttermilk, kefir, kimchi, picked vegetables, pickles, etc. to help boost the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut.

Fluids – Like any other season, you need plenty of fluids, especially warm ones, like soups, green tea, Indian masala chai, dals, broths to keep you hydrated and your digestive system in top shape.

We have an Immunity Booster Combo that comprises 3 of our ladoos made of superfoods like nuts and seeds, dates, spices, sesame seeds, peanuts, etc.

Having said what you should do, take note of all the things you should avoid during the rainy season.

  1. Avoid eating cut fruits and fruit juices from street vendors. The same goes for panipuri and other street foods. If you must, eat at reputed and hygienic places only.
  2. Avoid raw salads, and instead steam them before consuming.
  3. Ayurveda doesn’t encourage the consumption of green leafy vegetables during the monsoon as that can lead to bacterial and fungal growth if not washed properly. However, if you must, blanch them and then consume.
  4. Avoid seafood as because of the high risk of water contamination, they can carry infections.

So these are the 5 Immunity Boosting Foods for Monsoon, and also a list of things to avoid during the rainy season.