The #1 thing my midwife told me when I was pregnant?
“Prepare freezer meals.”
It’s such a good idea! Hopefully you’re blessed by a community of fellow mamas who will bring meals after baby is born — and maybe even stay to do your dishes or laundry for you, too.
Yet, maybe you don’t have that sort of community, or maybe your family has food sensitivities that are hard to work around. In that case, it’s wonderful to have a stockpile of homemade, nourishing postpartum freezer meals at your fingertips, ready to be thawed, reheated, and relished!
The bonus of making freezer meals ahead of time? It gives you something to do during those last few weeks, especially if you’re amped up with so much nesting energy you don’t know what to do with yourself. 😉
39 Nourishing Postpartum Freezer Meals To Prepare While You’re Pregnant {slow cooker, too!}
The transition from pregnancy to postpartum is enormous — especially because it involves a newborn baby, making milk, and almost nonexistent sleep. Add that to the fact that you’re recovering from just having birthed a 35-centimeters-around head (not to mention the rest of baby’s body)!
To support this shift, it’s important to focus on warming, easily digestible, mineral-rich foods to promote healing and provide sustained energy. Think properly-prepared grains, cooked veggies, nourishing fats, and ferments. Now is not the time to indulge in spicy, greasy, or ice cold foods!
Breakfast
Apple-Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
With soaked oats for digestibility, it doesn’t get much easier than baked oatmeal! Cut into squares and freeze for instant breakfast comfort food. Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
Crustless Rainbow Quiche
Did you know that quiches can be frozen? Neither did I, but I’m rolling with it! This grain-free and gluten-free quiche is as full of vitamins and minerals as it is veggies, which makes it perfect for the recovering mama. Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
Cassava Flour Sourdough Waffles
Waffles are easy-peasy to freeze and so easy to reheat! Pop them in the toaster and boom, instant breakfast. This waffle recipe is dairy-free and sourdough to make it both allergy-friendly and digestible! Via EatBeautiful.net.
Goat Cheese Breakfast Burrito
Check out these Southwestern breakfast burritos (feel free to omit the chili peppers). Make a big batch, wrap each burrito first in parchment paper, then aluminum foil, then Ziploc bags! If Southwestern isn’t your thing, experiment with any fillings that your heart desires. Via TheNourishingGourmet.com.
Fluffy Grain-Free & Low-Carb Belgian Waffles
Picture this: Saturday morning with your snuggly new babe, and a steaming plate of ready-made sweet (or savory) waffles! Via TodayInDietzville.com.
Easy Egg Muffins With Pesto & Ham (GF With DF Options)
While not strictly a freezer or slow cooker meal, these egg muffins are as versatile and easy as they come — and you can make them in a big enough batch to last through the week. Eat them hot, cold, or anything in between. Boom, quick protein-filled, nutrient-rich breakfast or snack! Via TheNourishingGourmet.com.
Snacks
Chamomile Muffins {Paleo}
These are just about the prettiest muffins I’ve ever seen. Perfect for a pretty mama with her pretty new babe, wouldn’t you say? I’m thinking a late-night nursing pick-me-up. Via EatBeautiful.net.
Enzyme-Rich Homemade Larabars
Larabars are so yummy… but expensive and the nuts aren’t soaked to reduce enzyme inhibitors. The solution? Make your own and freeze for when the need strikes! Like when you’re up at 3 am with a hungry baby, and you need a little something to tide you over till morning. Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
Maple Apple-Cinnamon No-Bake Treats
These allergy-friendly, sweet little no-bake treats are so easy and delicious. You can keep them in the freezer and indulge when baby finally makes his or her appearance! Or, have a few to keep you going during labor? The possibilities are endless! Via TodayInDietzville.com.
Carrot Raisin No-Bake Treats (no sugar, grains, gluten, dairy, eggs, or nuts!)
Rich in antioxidants, free of pretty much every allergen on the planet, and so easy to make — say hello to these carrot raisin no-bake treats! Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
No-Bake Salted Caramel Cookie Dough Bites {nut-free, grain-free!}
In the world of no-bake treats, these indulgent little bites are the ones you savor slowly, deliciously, and with great gusto. 😉 Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
Maca Gingersnap No-Bake Treats
It’s all the tastiness of gingersnaps combined with balancing maca and the ease of no-bakes! Yes, please! Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
Pssst… if you’re looking for more yummy and nutritious no-bake treats, check out the eCookbook, Nourishing No-Bake Treats by Lindsey Dietz, content director here at Traditional Cooking School!
Homemade Pumpkin Larabar Bites
If you soak your nuts first, these pumpkin Larabar bites are rich in enzymes and antioxidants. Now that’s a recipe for a tasty snack! Not to mention, dates can make pesky postpartum constipation a total non-issue instead of the thing that keeps you up at night (or is that baby?). Via Don’tWasteTheCrumbs.com.
Lunch & Dinner
How To Make Healing Homemade Broth & Stock + Why You Should
If there’s anything you should “stock” your freezer with, it’s homemade bone broth! It’s nourishing, frugal, and a delicious addition to any soup. Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
The Very Best Slow Cooker Carnitas
Slow cookers are a busy mama’s best friend (besides baby, of course). Add in nourishing bone broth and you’ve got a winner. Via Don’tWasteTheCrumbs.com.
Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala {Paleo, Whole30, THM:S}
This chicken tikki masala is quick, easy, and includes warming, anti-inflammatory turmeric, garlic, and ginger — plus dirties waaaay less dishes if you use your Instant Pot! What’s not to love? Via TodayInDietzville.com.
Freezer-Friendly Homemade Fish Sticks
Let’s mix it up a little with fish sticks! They are so easy to reheat, and they’ll be a hit with your littles. Via Don’tWasteTheCrumbs.com.
Easy Peasy Homemade Marinara Sauce {with or without meat}
If you’re the tired pregnant mama who knows she needs to make freezer meals, but wants to curl up and nap instead, this marinara sauce was made for you! Via TodayInDietzville.com.
Easy Autumn Rice Pilaf
It’s elegant, it’s delicious — and it came out of your freezer! Plus, this recipe has gluten- and dairy-free variations. Via Don’tWasteTheCrumbs.com.
Instant Pot Mexican Beef Stew
If you make and freeze this Mexican beef stew ahead of time, it’ll be so easy to thaw, reheat, and whip together some toppings when you’re ready to dig in! Via TodayInDietzville.com.
Vegetarian Freezer Enchiladas (Gluten-Free, Grain-Free)
This allergy-friendly enchilada recipe will keep the whole family full and content on an evening when everyone is too busy playing with baby to cook. And yes, you can absolutely use glass pans instead of aluminum! Via DeliciousObsessions.com.
Classic Slow Cooker Pot Roast
With cooked veggies, broth, and fall-apart meat, this pot roast is so easy and so healing. Just dump the ingredients in the slow cooker and then resume cuddling! Via Don’tWasteTheCrumbs.com.
Nourishing Mexican Chicken Soup {in the Crock Pot!}
If you crave Mexican food during pregnancy, make a double batch of this healthy, nourishing soup — and freeze half for later! You’re welcome! Via TodayInDietzville.com.
Best Ever Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls
Full of protein, gluten-free grains like quinoa, and veggies like cooked cabbage, this slow cooker recipe is a must-try! Via MelissaKNorris.com.
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
This recipe is easily adaptable — add chicken to the slow cooker, sprinkle your favorite seasonings on top, and voila! Dinner! Via Mommypotamus.com.
Slow-Cooker Stuffed Italian Meatballs
These meatballs are gluten-free and can easily be dairy-free! Since they’re made in the slow cooker, you can make them the day of, but since they’re meatballs, you can freeze them for later, too. Via Raia’sRecipes.com.
Slow Cooker Fennel Chicken With Orange
Sophisticated flavors coupled with all the ease of a slow cooker! Yum! And did I mention that fennel is great for breastfeeding? Via EmpoweredSustenance.com.
Keema Matar (beef or lamb curry)
This meal freezes wonderfully, and you can feel free to omit the chili peppers for a still-flavorful dish that isn’t so hard on digestion! Via TheNourishingGourmet.com.
Delicious And Simple Lemon Garlic Drumsticks
Frugal drumsticks + tasty marinade + freezes like a dream = your next postpartum freezer meal! Via TheNourishingGourmet.com.
Low-Carb Instant Pot Clam Chowder {dairy-free, gluten-free, no potatoes!}
I bet most pregnant mamas aren’t expecting to indulge in clam chowder once baby comes… but you can! Via TodayInDietzville.com.
Slow Cooker Chicken Soup
There’s nothing more soothing than chicken soup… especially one that gently simmers away on the countertop while you snooze and snuggle with your little one. Via NourishedKitchen.com.
Easy One-Pot, Low-Carb Chicken Fried “Rice” {Paleo, THM:S}
With cauliflower instead of rice, this allergy-friendly meal takes just 30 minutes to make, or 0 if you freeze it ahead of time! Via TodayInDietzville.com.
Fermented Foods
While fermented foods technically don’t fall into the freezer or slow cooker meal categories, they can absolutely be made ahead of time for a probiotic boost when your body needs it most!
How To Make Sauerkraut In A Stoneware Crock
Nothing beats a tart, crunchy mob of sauerkraut alongside dinner. The best part is that you literally need only 3 ingredients — and a batch can last for weeks! Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
How To Make Milk Kefir
Of all cultured dairy, I’m especially partial to milk kefir. There’s just something about that bubbly effervescence! Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
5-Spice Apple Chutney {lacto-fermented!}
It’s fruity, a little bit peppery from the Chinese 5 spice, and bursting with probiotics! I love a big dollop in my kefir for dessert at night! Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
No-Knead Artisan Sourdough Einkorn Bread
Bread is something you can easily make ahead of time and freeze for when the big day arrives! The process of sourdough makes it especially digestible. Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
Tips & Tricks
If you’re a new wife or you’ve never managed a kitchen before, 10 Traditional Cooking Tips For The New Wife On A Budget is for you.
If you’re new to freezer cooking, here are a few resources to give you the confidence and motivation you need to start strong.
Freezer Cooking 101: Which Foods Can Be Frozen?
Freezer meals sound like an awful good idea, but which foods can be frozen and which foods can’t? Here’s where you find out. Via Mommypotamus.com.
Step-by-Step Freezer Cooking Guide for the Beginner
Broken down into 10 easy steps, here’s all you need to know to be a freezer cooking pro! Via Don’tWasteTheCrumbs.com.
How To Reheat Frozen Food In The Instant Pot {Instant Pot Freezer Meals}
So you have your freezer meal… how do you reheat it in the Instant Pot? Like this! Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
Looking for more pregnancy and baby related articles?
- Haniya’s Natural Water Birth Story At Home
- 3 Ways To Exercise While Breastfeeding {lose the baby weight & heal diastasis recti}
- 5 Things That Surprised Me About Baby-Led Weaning! {Is Your Baby A GNOWFGLINS Baby, Too?}
- 25 Natural Gifts For The New Mom On Mother’s Day
Have you made postpartum freezer meals for any of your pregnancies? Which meals were your favorite?
Main image courtesy of Mommypotamus.
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