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For those of you out there who’ve ever had a baby — you know the hunger you experience postpartum is REAL.
But so is the struggle in figuring out what to eat. Especially when you’re sleep deprived, nursing 24/7 and living in perpetual brain fog for the first few days weeks. Ain’t NOBODY got any extra time to be spending in the kitchen.
But the postpartum phase is also such a crucial time to supply your body and brain with the nutrients it needs to balance hormones and heal, not to mention produce plenty of breast milk.
And if you’re able to figure out a few easy ways to take care of both, they will take care of you, and you’ll feel more like yourself. Now I don’t about you, but when I feel better physically and mentally, I feel empowered to be a more patient, kind, generous and loving person to everyone around me, especially my baby girl.
Enter in this Postpartum Hormone Balancing Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal. Not only is it a make ahead dish (read plenty of leftovers) that works brilliantly as a meal, treat or quick snack in between all those newborn feeds, but it’s also made up of key nutrients to help balance your hormones and boost your milk supply. Basically, it’ll help you to feel good, so you can fully enjoy this super special time in your life.
How, exactly? Let’s quickly break down the science behind how the ingredients work to balance hormones postpartum.
***Even if you’re not postpartum, you can still enjoy this baked oatmeal as a satiating meal, snack or tasty treat that will keep blood sugar + hormones stabilized (case in point, my husband, toddler and I all enjoy it regularly!)
POSTPARTUM HORMONE BALANCING INGREDIENTS
+ Oats
Oats are rich in iron, which many women are depleted in due to the loss of blood when giving birth. Maternal anemia (i.e. low iron levels) can decrease your milk supply, so this is an excellent food to add to your diet, if you can tolerate grains well. They also contain other trace minerals like manganese, selenium and copper which support the thyroid gland (low-thyroid function is also common post birth). I love this brand.
+ Maca Powder
I like to add the adaptogen maca root for a caramel-like flavor and hormone-balance boost, as it nourishes the hypothalamus and pituitary glands, which regulate your adrenals, thyroid, pancreas and ovaries. When these systems are properly functioning they reduce your risk of the unhealthy effects of stress or adrenal dysfunction (which is a common symptom for new mamas postpartum due to lack of sleep, internal and external stressors, etc.) **Make sure to leave this out if you’re making for kiddos to enjoy too.
+ Peanut Butter
Nut butters are rich in healthy fats, and hormones are produced from fat and cholesterol, which means consumption of adequate amounts of the right kinds of dietary fat is crucial for achieving great hormonal health (i.e. you can’t create something without the necessary building materials).
They also provide you with a slow-burning source of energy and provide satiation to keep you fuller longer. For this recipe, I like to use MaraNatha’s Creamy Organic Peanut Butter, as peanuts are rich in zinc, an essential trace mineral required for lactation.
+ Flaxseed
Flaxseeds are high in fiber that support colon detoxification. Constipation is a common side effect during and post-pregnancy, which can cause buildup of toxins and excess estrogen to be circulated back into the blood stream. Estrogen dominance can cause many unwanted symptoms, such as mood swings, insomnia, irritability, depression, brain fog, fatigue, headaches, etc. so it’s important to balance out levels through supporting optimal digestion and elimination.
They’re also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have a ton of anti-inflammatory effects and are a crucial component of mental clarity and brain health.
+ Collagen
Collagen is a protein rich in amino acids (arginine, glutamine, glycine and proline) that help us produce healthy levels of hormones. These hormones support healthy thyroid function (critical postpartum) and work to offset any cortisol (stress hormone) imbalances.
Collagen can also help heal gut issues (such as intestinal permeability) and is extremely liver supportive, helping your liver to process toxins and xenoestrogens that can lead to hormone imbalances, specifically in the form of estrogen dominance.
Check out my fave brand here, which is not only flavorless and odorless (making it super seamless to add to recipes, drinks, etc.) but is sourced from pasture-raised cows without any added hormones.
+ Banana
This fruit is packed with potassium, helping nursing moms keep up fluid and electrolyte levels, which works to maintain breast milk flow. They’re also high in magnesium, a building block of your “happy hormone” serotonin, which is crucial for calming the brain and promoting relaxation. Ensuring you get enough magnesium in your diet postpartum can help with preeclampsia, cramping, insomnia, mood swings and headaches.
So there you have it, a few of the many reasons why this Postpartum Hormone Balancing Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal needs to be in your life post-baby.
And if you’re not pregnant, giving birth, or ever plan on being pregnant have no fear, you don’t have to be to enjoy this meal. It’s delicious and healthy enough for anyone to enjoy, including my hubby, who’s snuck MORE than his fair share ;).
OTHER POSTPARTUM POSTS YOU MAY FIND HELPFUL
+ 9 Tips To Naturally Balance Your Hormones Postpartum
+ No-Bake Postpartum Monster Cookie Dough Balls
+ My Personal Postpartum Recovery — Recipes, Tips + Tools That Helped Me Heal
Postpartum Hormone Balancing Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal
This make ahead baked oatmeal is not only simple to make, nourishing + delicious, but it sneaks in nutrients to help you heal + balance hormones postpartum.
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PREP TIME: |
TOTAL TIME: |
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00:00 Mins |
00:35 Mins |
Ingredients
- For the Baked Oatmeal:
- 1½ cups GF rolled oats (I love this brand)
- 1½ cups cauliflower rice (can sub for more oats but I love this nutrient-boosting option)
- 3 cups clean, unsweetened non-dairy milk (such as hemp, coconut, almond, cashew, oat, etc.)
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 ripe banana, peeled and mashed
- ¼ cup creamy unsweetened peanut butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2 ½ tbsp warm water (or swap for 1 whole egg, whisked)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp sea salt
- Optional: 2 Servings Bulletproof Vanilla Collagen Protein Powder **use code Sogreen10 to save 10% off your purchase
- Optional: 2 tsp maca root powder
- For the Maple Peanut Butter Glaze:
- ¼ cup creamy, unsweetened peanut butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup nutpods French Vanilla Oat Creamer (or other non-dairy milk) **use code SOFRESHNSOGREEEEEN to save 20% off your order
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- If using flaxseed gel as a binder (vs an egg) combine the flaxseed powder and warm water in a small bowl and stir. Allow to sit for a couple of minutes to thicken.
- In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients.
- In a small bowl combine all wet ingredients (including the flax gel OR egg beaten), mixing well, then stir in with the dry ingredients.
- Pour the mixture into a 9” by 13″ inch baking pan and bake in the oven for 35-45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- While oats are baking, whisk or blend together all ingredients for the Maple Peanut Butter Glaze.
- Let oat bake cool once done, then top with Maple Peanut Butter Glaze. Will last in the fridge for a week.
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Download this recipe now and cook it later!
Download this recipe now and cook it later!
