Female nutrition is an important part of good health for every woman. But there are two stages in a women’s life when taking care of her nutritional needs becomes all the more vital – during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Following a nutrient rich diet is very important during the nine months gestation period as at that time the mother’s body provides all the nutrients needed by the foetus to grow into a healthy baby. Similarly paying attention to the mother’s diet after giving birth is important for two reasons mainly. Firstly, the mother needs lots of nutrition to regain her strength after the birth of the baby to take care of the child properly. And secondly, breastfeeding mother’s provide for all the nutrients needed by the baby to grow in the first few months along with immunity. 

A new mother must eat a diet rich in protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins and loads of fruits and vegetables.

Eggs are a rich source of easily digestible protein and also contain essential fatty acids, Vitamins A, B, E, D and B12, immunity enhancing minerals and choline. Choline is regarded as an essential nutrient for brain development in fetuses and babies. Eating eggs in pregnancy and while breastfeeding helps boost the nutritive value of breast-milk, improving child growth. As per one study consuming two 50 gram eggs can provide for more than 15% of a pregnant woman’s daily needs of protein, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, and phosphorus and more than half for selenium and choline.

Benefits of eating eggs while breastfeeding

Including well-cooked eggs  in the diet during the nursing months may prove beneficial in the following ways.

• Provide high-quality proteins:  Egg has all the nine essential amino acids in the correct proportions. It has a biological value of almost 100, which indicates that the maximum amount of its protein is absorbed by the body.
• Supports Brain Development : Eggs are a good source of choline and omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA). Both choline and Omega-3 are needed for brain development. Omega -3 also improves eye health.
• Good Liver Health :  Eggs yolk is one of the best known sources of choline. Along with brain health choline also helps keep the baby and the mother’s liver healthy.
• Variety of micronutrients: Eggs are rich in various micronutrients, bioactive compounds and several vitamins that support good health. Some of these nutrients, such as vitamins A, D, B2, and B12 can pass on to the baby via breast milk. This in turn supports their health.
• Eggs have  anti-inflammatory properties: Eggs contain Omega -3 and other bioactive compounds, such as lutein, and zeaxanthin that possess anti-inflammatory properties.  This helps the mother’s body in postpartum recovery and also fight against inflammation.

Precautions to be Taken While Cooking Eggs for Nursing Mothers

Eggs are one of the easiest to obtain high nutrient foods and are easily adaptable to many different types of cooking techniques.  It is also an affordable source of rich protein but there are a few precautions that must be taken while buying and cooking eggs for nursing moms and pregnant women

1. Always buy hygienic fresh eggs. While buying make sure that the eggs look clean, have no cracks in the shell, and are stored properly in boxes.
2. Buy eggs that have best before dates in the packaging and/or have FSSAI approval
3. Refrigerate the eggs within 2 hours of buying- do not store eggs in room temperature
4. Do not eat raw or half fried eggs while you are breastfeeding or are pregnant
5. Best is to eat hard boiled eggs or well-cooked scrambled eggs  while breastfeeding. If you are frying the eggs make sure to use a good quality oil.

With Japanese technology ISE Foods India provides the best quality, antibiotic free eggs that are hygienic and safe.

So, no matter how you like your eggs– boiled, fried or scrambled – you can rest assured that a baby  is benefitting in more ways than one every time you take a bite from a whole egg.