Eating postpartum is no joke because if you are planning on breastfeeding, you will be starving… all the time. And funnily enough, you definitely do not have as much energy or time to cook for yourself or your family. You will certainly find your groove in a couple weeks (I found myself wanting to cook to feel more “me” right away!) But having meals ready to roll in the freezer is invaluable.
I was very fortunate to have my mother cook a ton for me when I had Willow and Fiona. She brought over sooo much food. Soups, prepped vegetables, pasta, you name it. If you have someone in your life who is close to you and loves to cook, this will work in your favor. That plus pre-frozen meals and you should be pretty well off in those first few weeks without having to stress about what your next meal will be.
I wanted to share a number of my favorite vegan and plant-based meals/snacks that freeze well. These are all easy to make and are perfectly filling, healthy, and satisfying when you are ravenous. Oh, and you don’t need to be pregnant or expecting to make a bunch of freezer meals.
#1: Lentil Stew
Packed with protein and iron, lentil stew is hands-down always my go-to for keeping in the freezer. It’s cheap and easy and so filling and comforting. Try the one above or get fancier with this peanut lentil stew. Pairs perfectly with a grain of your choice – quinoa and rice are my favorites (fast, too).
#2: Bean + Tempeh Chili
Is there anything more filling than a robust bean chili? I love this recipe for the cooler months, especially.
#3: Italian Gravy
I know this isn’t the whole meal, but I love having a huuuuge batch of pre-made gravy on hand. Sure you can buy jarred, but it’s nice to have something homemade that makes you happy. Quickly boil up some pasta and you have a real nice dinner.
#4: Healthy Fudge Balls
This is more of a snack than a meal, but I have totally just eaten a bunch of these for breakfast. These fudge balls are like dessert but packed with nutrients. Very satisfying when breastfeeding, I assure you.
#5: Escarole and Beans
For a good dose of greens and protein, escarole and beans is one of my favorite meals. It freezes very well and pairs nicely with a big chunk of bread and butter. A meal in itself.
#6: Walnut Pesto
Like the Italian Gravy, I also like to have a quick and flavorful pesto in my freezer. Cook pasta (or have your husband do it) and simply top with thawed pesto sauce. YUM.
#7: Vegan Burger Patties
There are a ton of vegan patty recipes out there, but these are my personal favorite. Full of nuts, seeds, veggies, and rice. They are bursting with flavor and keep well in the freezer for a quick dinner.
#8: Stuffed Red Peppers
Stuffed peppers are so full of the good stuff and will fill you up for a while. Give the above recipe a try (the cashew cream is killer).
If you have some freezer meals that you swear by, please share in the comments with me. And I hope that the above are helpful for your own planning as you prep for your little bean on the way. Feeding yourself is just as important as feeding your baby. Both mama and bean will need all the calories and nutrients in those beautiful first weeks and beyond.
Have a beautiful day, friends. xx bianca
