A nursing woman should have a good understanding of which foods are permissible for her to consume, and which ones are best to refrain from. After all, with her milk, the same substances that she receives herself get into the child's body from food. Among the controversial products for the diet of mother and baby is Beijing cabbage, about the benefits and dangers of which doctors do not yet have a single opinion. In the article, we consider all the pros and cons of the use of lactating women of this overseas vegetable.

Did you know? Beijing cabbage is considered one of the fastest growing crops: only 2 months pass from sowing to harvesting.

What is rich in Beijing cabbage

In the leaves of Beijing cabbage there is a huge vitamin and mineral set, fiber, as well as other components necessary for the life of the woman’s body. In the tables below, we present a set of nutrients in 100 g of edible part of Beijing cabbage.

Fatty acids are also present in the vegetable.: saturated (palmitic and stearic), monounsaturated (palmitoleic and Omega-9), as well as polyunsaturated (linoleic, linolenic, Omega-3, Omega-6).

What is the benefit of lactation

• In the diet of lactating women, a Beijing vegetable can bring certain benefits (if there are no contraindications to its use):
• the product contains a large amount of organic glucosinolates, which have a detrimental effect on oncology;
• the presence of beta-carotenes and antioxidants, which are able to absorb free radicals, slows the development and spread of cancer cells;
• the vegetable pulp contains a lot of fiber, which is useful for good digestion, elimination of constipation and healthy weight loss;
• thanks to potassium, sodium and calcium, the mother’s blood pressure returns to normal, the blood-forming system improves and the risks of diseases of the heart and blood vessels are reduced;
• potassium affects the balance of sugar in the bloodstream, improves mood, relieves stress and eliminates the effects of postpartum depression and stress;
• Vitamin K and calcium strengthen teeth and bone tissue, activate muscle fibers, regulate blood coagulation;
• vitamins A and C favorably affect the immune forces and neutralize the effect of free radicals;
• beta-carotene improves the functioning of the optic nerve and prevents eye diseases (cataracts, macular degeneration, loss of vision);
• Vitamin C in combination with iron improves the condition of the hair, activating the growth of hair follicles, and also participates in hematopoiesis;
• the vegetable has a low calorie content, which helps maintain weight, as well as the skin in a toned and moistened state.

Did you know? Japanese gardeners use Chinese cabbage not only for food, but also for landscape design due to its decorative appearance.

How to choose a quality vegetable in the store

The following types of Beijing vegetable are presented in the distribution network:

• Wineglass;
• Monument;
• Vesnyanka;
• Nika.

Since there is a certain variety of varieties of this cabbage, color variations of foliage from yellow-pale to saturated green are permissible. When choosing a quality head of cabbage, focus not on the color itself, but on its brightness.

To choose the most suitable and fresh copies, follow these tips:

1. Buy a head of cabbage without film packaging (this will help evaluate its quality). If the product is nevertheless packaged, pay attention to the presence of condensation in the middle of the film: this indicates the beginning of the process of spoiling the vegetable.
2. The foliage of cabbage should not be dry, with damage, rotten parts, black dots and spots.
3. Yellowing of leaves indicates long-term storage of cabbage.
4. Light and rich color of the vegetable testifies to its juiciness and freshness.
5. Inspecting the cabbage, you need to squeeze it a little - the head of cabbage should not be deformed, but it should not be too hard.
6. Opt for small heads of medium density. Large yellowed cabbage can be overripe and not juicy.
7. The “chemical” smell of a vegetable indicates the use of growth stimulants or the processing of chemicals with it before transportation (there is practically no natural flavor for a quality vegetable).

Terms and rules of use after childbirth

Pediatricians with guards before the newborns are 4 months old do not recommend the use of any cabbage, including Peking, by the mother, since the baby has high risks of allergic reactions, as well as flatulence and bloating. Anyway, before use, you need to consult a doctor.

If, on the recommendation of a pediatrician, you can introduce this product into the diet, then it is important to adhere to certain rules:

1. Do not buy cabbage in natural markets.
2. Choose the right vegetable in the store, requiring the seller to have a quality certificate.
3. Follow the recommendations of the pediatrician regarding the timing of the introduction of the vegetable into the basic diet.
4. When preparing dishes from Beijing cabbage, follow the recommendations for the diet menu.

Important! Pickled or salted Peking cabbage should not be on the menu for gw, since such products negatively affect the taste of breast milk and lead to rashes in the newborn.

How to enter the diet

Beijing vegetable is introduced into the diet according to the following recommendations of pediatricians and nutritionists:

1. Include the product in the menu in small portions, and then take a break for 2 days, watching the reaction of the baby.
2. On the day of the first use of cabbage leaves, other new products should not be present on the menu (so that you can identify the cause of the unpredictable reaction).
3. First, the cabbage should be stewed, boiled or steamed. If the child does not follow a negative reaction, you can also use a fresh vegetable.
4. The product is introduced into the diet in a small initial portion of 50 g, then the portion can be increased to 150 g per day, using the dish up to 4 times a week.

Among other things, it should be remembered that Beijing cabbage belongs to the category of low-calorie foods and its regular use is allowed even with diet for weight loss

What time of day is better to eat

For the first time, Beijing during lactation is recommended to be introduced into the diet of mom in the morning (not on an empty stomach): you can eat a small portion of a boiled or stewed dish in the form of a side dish to buckwheat or rice porridge. In the future, cabbage can be consumed at any meal, but no later than 4 hours before going to bed.

Important! It is not permissible to add any spices to dishes for the nutrition of a nursing woman when cooking Peking.

Can I combine with other products

A young mother should take into account that Beijing is combined with some products, and it is better not to use it with others:

• Peking cabbage in the diet at gw can serve both as a main dish, and as an ingredient for various salads with apples, cucumbers, grated carrots, beets, potatoes, herbs, etc. (in moderation and if there are no contraindications to these products);
• the vegetable goes well with sesame seeds and olive oil;
• it is permissible to season dishes from Beijing vegetable with lemon juice and sour cream;
• the product is combined with low-fat meat varieties, eggs, fresh green peas;
• Do not combine Peking with sour-milk products and do not prepare sauces for this cabbage on the basis of fresh milk, otherwise the pain and indigestion of the mother and baby are guaranteed.

The use of salads from fresh vegetable culture allows you to get clean, smooth, healthy, moisturized, elastic, toned and fresh skin, and also contributes to a pronounced slowdown in aging

Possible harm and contraindications

• Peking cabbage should not be consumed by a nursing woman with the following pathologies:
• pancreatitis;
• duodenitis;
• increased tendency to gastric bleeding;
• with gastritis with high acidity.
• stab.

Apparently, Beijing cabbage for a nursing woman can be considered an easy and useful product if it is carefully and timely introduced into the diet so as not to harm the baby. It is also important to be able to combine products correctly and consult with a medical specialist regarding contraindications to this vegetable.