I am sure that many of you know that edible bird’s nest is well-known for its tonic, herbal nourishing properties, superfood, its beautifying effect, anti-fatigue, antioxidant and the list goes on.
This is why pregnant and nursing mothers are advised to eat it is because of its endless benefits.
Our bodies are working overtime tirelessly making a baby, so naturally we feel tired. And, not to mention the morning sickness, making our appetite go down.
Nutritionally, a bird’s nest provides the essential proteins (amino acids) that help us sleep better, relieve stress and anxiety, and reduce stretch marks.
It is also easy to digest, so if you have morning sickness, this would go down easily and get absorbed. Additionally, it is said that it can also build our immunity.
With the ongoing pandemic, catching the flu is a big deal. So building your immunity to fight all the nasty viruses and bacteria to stay healthy is of utmost importance.
After all, a healthy mummy means a healthy baby!
Bird’s Nest Benefits All New Mums
Image source: iStock
After delivering a baby, our bodies become weak. That’s when consuming bird’s nest can help us restore our health!
Besides, it is neither “heaty” or “cooling.” It is neutral, so mummies do not have to be worried that their body will get too hot or cold.
Also, nursing mummies, do take note! Research has proven that consuming bird’s nest while breastfeeding has beneficial properties for the baby too! It helps to build the baby’s immunity, and promote intellectual cognitive development.
Now that is what we hope for: our babies to be healthy, alert and smart. After all, there’s a saying that goes: what the mummies eat will go into the milk and babies will receive it.
Bird’s nest benefits more if it is dried: It has more quantity and is cheaper
During my pregnancy and also my breastfeeding journey, I had my bird’s nest from Ying’s Nest as they offered premium quality bird’s nest at an affordable price.
I am so tired of those bottled ready-to-drink bird’s nest as it comes with little amount of bird’s nest trimmings. It doesn’t seem enough to help with restoring my body when it is working so hard to develop a baby, and now producing milk for my baby.
Instead of buying those ready to drink, I told my husband I rather he spends that money to get dried bird’s nest. It has more quantity and is so much cheaper, if calculated by the weight of the bird’s nest, and so is more value for money.
My husband heard my feedback and he got me dried bird’s nest from Ying’s Nest and double-boiled it for me to consume. I enjoyed it so much that I’m looking forward to the next time he is going to make it for me.
Why he decided to get from Ying’s Nest is because it doesn’t require further cleaning as it is SFA certified and they offer different grades with affordable pricing.
Lower grade bird’s nest is not low on nutritional value
Don’t worry, a lower grade doesn’t mean lesser nutritive value. All grades are of the same nutritional value, the only difference is just how nicely shaped they may be. I got myself a premium Grade C, as it was for my own consumption.
Anyway, when it’s cooked, they all look the same.
If you would like to buy it as a gift then perhaps could consider a Premium Grade A which has a beautiful and dense-looking cup shape.
From its desirable pale beige colour, you can tell that it has not undergone bleaching (if not it would be too white). If it’s too yellow, it would be undesirable which suggests high nitrite content.
Bird’s Nest Recipes From Pregnancy To Postpartum
Image source: Wee Jie Yi
I would like to share some recipes that we have tried at different stages from pregnancy to postpartum.
During pregnancy:
Bird’s nest with rock sugar and pandan leaves
In my third trimester:
Bird’s nest with coconut water and flesh with pandan leaves.
It is said that drinking coconut water during the third trimester can lead to smooth delivery and a “cleaner baby” according to my mother-in-law and I’ve been following her advice for both my children.
In my experience, both came out very smoothly and “clean” with very little white stuff. My babies’ complexion was very rosy too. Not sure if it is because of this but bird’s nest benefits make it worth the try!
During confinement:
According to TCM, after delivery the body is very weak and cold so it needs some “heat.” My husband added some candied ginger or old ginger, red dates, and wolf berries to go with the bird’s nest.
After confinement:
Bird’s nest with peach gum, snow fungus, snow lotus, and gum tragacanth fo beautify and nourish the body to full recovery.
Overall, I would strongly recommend this for pregnant and nursing mummies as well as for the entire family!
This article was written by VIP Parent Wee Jie Yi for theAsianparent.
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