Cacao as a nutritional support in pregnancy and post partum.
Cacao in the postpartum period - Experimenting with ritual and nutrition.
At the time of writing this piece, I have been using cacao for around 30 days. Not consistently until around 14 days ago. But I have started to notice some shifts in my body as I have used cacao to support my postpartum healing.
Cacao as a nutritional support for women navigating the shift from maiden to mother
I thought it might be useful to break down the nutritional components of cacao and explore nutrient deficiencies in pregnancy and post partum to see if on paper cacao might be a good way to support healing. And because it’s me I’ll also share my personal insight into my experience with this medicine and cacao has held me through my motherhood journey so far.
Rose is my ultimate fave for holding me in motherhood. This is rose tea not cacao but it has my heart and so gains a place in blog about nutrition.
Nutritional deficiencies in pregnancy and post partum
Let’s start by looking at the common nutrients that become depleted in pregnancy and into post partum. A macro-mineral is something we need in larger quantities to micro minerals.
Iron macromineral
Iron deficiency in pregnancy is the most common mineral deficiency for women journeying into motherhood. Iron is important for hemoglobin synthesis. Which basically means it’s crucial to ensure that oxygen reaches the organs and muscles in the body. Without this process mothers feel very tired and are unable to do basic daily tasks.
Magniseium - Macromineral
Magnesium in pregnancy supports energy metabolism, muscle relaxation (really important to reduce your calf cramps in pregnancy) and nerve conduction. That means that it supports a reduction in anxiety and stress in the nervous system.
Calcium - Macromineral
In pregnancy calcium supports fetal bone and teeth development and maternal bone density too. It also supports your muscle and nerve function.
Zinc - A micro mineral
DNA synthesis in pregnancy is the process of replicating DNA for your growing baby. It supports fetal growth. Zinc in pregnancy and postpartum also supports the replication of DNA to support your uterus, this mineral is crucial for womb healing.
Other microminerals that are often deficient in pregnancy and the post partum period are:
Iodine this nutrient supports the thyroid hormone in pregnancy and post partum. It also assist your babies brain development.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) - is key for fetal brain development and it also acts as an anti inflammatory to support the body through pregnancy and post partum.
Vitamin D / B12 / Folate - these micro-minerals are important as they allow the other minerals mentioned above to do their job.
And this sentence is key. We cannot really separate any of these things from one other. Because they all contribute to a well regulated nervous system and a body that can cope with the huge strain placed on the body during pregnancy and post partum.
Overwhelm in pregnancy and post birth
There is a really good reason that I haven’t told you which foods hold these elements. Because pregnancy and post partum nutritional advice is everywhere! And it’s overwhelming and general. You are unique, your needs will be completely different to mine. Your pregnancy experience and birth were unique, the support you have postnatally is specific to you.
Reading all the above feels really heavy even to me and I like to learn about this stuff. So let’s move away from the facts and explore the experience.
My personal journey with cacao to date
One thing that I have found in both of my postnatal experiences that I have a need for something in my body but I just can’t quite identify what it is. My brain takes me to protein, chicken, ham, eggs. But it just doesn’t seem to cut it. I have tried various protein powders. Which seem to soothe the need short term. You can head to the bottom if this blog for some of my personal recommendations of food products that have helped me.
But still sometimes it just doesn’t work.
Until I started to drink cacao on a daily basis. As and when I get that raging hunger (for me usually first thing in the morning or just before lunch) Cacao seems to curb and satisfy my body the most. Which I find really interesting. Because it has no protein in it.
I make cacao with almond milk so I am getting some protein via the milk. The milk I use is also fortified with B vitamins which helps the absorption of magnesium which cacao has in larger quantities.
So could it be that what I actually needed in pregnancy and in my post partum period is magnesium? Yes I think for me personally this is true.
What I also needed more of is rest.
I needed more support and help than I cared to admit. And this is just as important as the micro and macronutrients we need in pregnancy and post partum. Because without a well regulated nervous system your body can’t use those vitamins and minerals in the way it is designed to. So whilst what you put in your body it’s important. What is arguably more important is what you do with your body. Sleep, massage, body work, breath work, journaling. Having a bath… All of these things mean that what you then nourish your body with can actually work!
The sacred support that comes with ritual
What cacao is also creating for me is a ritual, 15 minuets to make and drink it.
Something where I am focused on me.
My body, my thoughts, what I need in that moment.
And sure there are many occasions when I can’t do what I really need which is usually to curl up in bed. Or even have 30 minuets alone to do a yoga practice. But it gives me the gift of awareness. So that if at some point I have the space I can nourish myself with the things that came up. And if I can’t then I am able to be kind and compassionate with myself when things feel too much.
What are the nutrients in cacao?
From a nutrient break down cacao contains:
Magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc. In the quantities that I drink it in 25/50 grams of raw cacao, those nutrients provide between a 10-15% share of the daily required amount for pregnancy and post partum so its more of a contribution that a perfect answer for supplementation.
On paper cacao has little to no extra nutritional value to support pregnancy and postpartum. But from an energetic, self worth point of view this cacao has been transformational for me. It feels a little bit magical and sacred every time the liquid passes my lips.
This is purely anecdotal but during the time I have been drinking this medicine my children have both had colds, I seem to have felt the edges of the illness with a sore throat but nothing more serious. And I could feel the cacao soothing the part of my throat that was sore. (So Awesome and much better than a cough sweet) I also have had cold sore and normally when these pop up they are huge, very sore weeping and uncomfortable. This one has been tiny, and whilst sore has healed quickly.
Can Cacao be used as a nutritional supliment for mothers?
In summary cacao on paper is not particularly nourishing for you in pregnancy or post birth. But as humans we have been using this medicine, this magic, as deep nourishment for thousand of years! What the evidence says doesn’t compare with my personal experience of my journey with cacao. It’s special and I love it.
If you want to join me in a cacao circle or you’d like more information please do get in touch with me.
I really do love to hear from you.
As promised you can see some of my recommendations for nourishment in pregnancy and post partum below.
The Freja bone broth protein has by far been the best as this is protein from animals rather than plant based products and personally I have really enjoyed using this in shakes and in my yoghurt and porridge on my really hungry days to support a fuller feeling for longer.
I also made a lot of soups after I birthed Beatrice, with home made bases. Not bone broth but stocks with meat bones. These take an hour or so and are so easy. You just chuck a load of bones in the the pan and cover with water and simmer.
I also ate lots of orange vegetables with ginger. Either freshly grated or the powder.
Oranges were my friend too and still are today.
I also have a little restorative practice you can try here. (This is for postnatal mothers) Completely free and less than 30 minuets. So if you are feeling super tired and in need of rest maybe this is something you can try for yourself.
Let me know how you feel if you try it.
