Q I have postpartum depression. Does what I eat make a difference? Are there foods that help or that I should avoid?
A A diet rich in iron, omega-3, and protein helps restore energy and stabilize emotions. Caffeine and binging on sugar can worsen mood swings, so they need to be moderated.
Detailed Answer
Iron deficiency after childbirth is associated with postpartum depression, so it is important to eat plenty of iron-rich foods such as beef, perilla, and spinach. Omega-3 fatty acids (mackerel, salmon, flaxseed) can have a positive effect on the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, and adequate protein intake is needed for both energy recovery and breastfeeding. On the other hand, caffeine interferes with sleep and intensifies mood swings, and high-sugar foods such as chocolate and sweet bread can create a blood-sugar roller coaster in which your mood spikes momentarily and then drops sharply, so it is best to avoid consuming them in excess.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Korean medicine's postpartum diet emphasizes warm, easily digestible foods that replenish qi and blood. At Dongjedang, we guide patients to replenish qi and blood with seaweed soup, chicken, jujube, and Korean angelica (danggwi), while reducing raw foods, cold foods, and caffeine. Because this is a state where the blood that nourishes the Heart (sim) is insufficient, we approach even food as a building block of recovery.
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