Is Eating Ghee After a C-section Delivery Recommended?

Women, after their delivery, often ask their caregivers, can we eat ghee after c-section?’ Ghee is a healthy processed dairy, basically clarified butter, rich in various nutrients, such as calcium, Vitamins D, E, A, and K, and phospholipids (1). Ghee possesses curative powers, and ghee loyalists believe that it’s a must-include in everyone’s diet, including new moms, too, after the birth of their child, as it has many benefits to offer. But ghee is high in saturated fats and calories, and too much of it can probably do more harm than good. So, should a woman include ghee in her diet, especially after undergoing a C-section? Let’s find out!

Should Mothers Consume Ghee Post C-section?

Ghee contains good fats and helps lower the glycemic index of the food to which it is added. So it’s a must include in a woman’s diet post a C-section delivery —it can help her body recover soon. However, consuming ghee after cesarean delivery should be in limited amounts, as too much ghee can be bad for your health. Excess ghee can also result in heart disease due to the increased levels of cholesterol in your blood (2). Ghee can also negate the impact of relaxin, a hormone produced during your labour. This hormone is important in relaxing the muscles and joints during and for the first few weeks after giving birth. So, if you want to consume ghee after a C-section delivery, watch the quantity. Do not overdo anything as it may result in complications later in life.

Advantages of Eating Ghee After a Caesarean Section

As explained already, ghee should only be consumed in small amounts after caesarean delivery. Here are a few advantages of eating ghee after a C-section.

• Ghee is packed with various fat-soluble nutrients that support the growth of cells and bones. They also help in the maintenance of teeth, healing wounds, boosting immunity, and more.
• The omega-6 fatty acids present in ghee is known as conjugated linoleic acid or CLA. CLA helps control heart problems (3). It also lowers the levels of body fat as well as blood sugar. Finally, CLA can be converted to DHA, another extremely important fatty acids.
• Vitamin A in ghee maintains eyesight and strengthens vision.
• Consuming ghee after pregnancy can help reduce problems such as constipation and indigestion.
• Ghee is also a known Ayurvedic remedy for headaches and migraines.
• Consuming ghee after a C-section helps speed up metabolism and helps one stay energetic for a long.
• Ghee is rich in a short-chain fatty acid called butyric acid, which is believed to have anti-cancer and immune-boosting properties.
• Ghee behaves as an internal moisturiser, that is, the phospholipids present in it lubricate the cells and tissues in the body.

How to Include Ghee in Your Diet?

There are various ways in which you can incorporate ghee into your daily diet:

• Mix one tsp of ghee in your morning cereal or in a fruit blend or milkshake.
• You can eat it directly, but limit it to one to two teaspoons a day.
• You can add one teaspoon of ghee into your coffee or tea as a cream replacement.
• You can use ghee instead of butter to flavour vegetable dishes.
• Ghee can also be used along with honey in fruit salads.
• You can make chapatis with ghee instead of oil.
• You can use ghee on toast instead of butter.

FAQs

1. What else can I add to my breastfeeding diet other than ghee for optimal nutrition?

You can have plenty of fresh green vegetables and fruits rich in calcium and vitamin C, which helps healing accelerate. Consider protein-rich foods, like lean meat, dairy, eggs, seafood low in mercury, and lentils (4).

2. Can eating ghee lead to allergies in my baby?

Milk is a common food allergen. Ghee is made from milk and has a chance to cause allergies or intolerance. Although there are no recommendations to eliminate any food from your breastfeeding diet to prevent allergies, if your baby has developed symptoms related to the foods you eat, avoiding them may help improve your child’s symptoms. However, before eliminating allergy-causing foods from your breastfeeding diet, it is ideal to consult your doctor (5).

It takes around four to five weeks to recover fully after a caesarean section. To speed up your recovery, you should take the utmost care of your diet during this time. It is important that you eat well-balanced meals that include protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, vegetables and fruits. Also, remember to drink sufficient water to keep you hydrated throughout the day.

References/Resources:

1. Better Than Butter? Separating Ghee Fact From Fiction; Cleveland Clinic; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/better-than-butter-separating-ghee-fact-from-fiction

2. Sharma. H, Zhang. X, Dwivedi. C; The effect of ghee (clarified butter) on serum lipid levels and microsomal lipid peroxidation; Ayu.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3215354/; April 2010

3. Kataria. D, Singh. G; Health benefits of ghee: Review of Ayurveda and modern science perspectives; J Ayurveda Integr Med.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10789628/; 2024

4. Breastfeeding nutrition: Tips for moms; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/breastfeeding-nutrition/art-20046912

5. Breastfeeding a Baby With Food Allergies; Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; https://www.chop.edu/pages/breastfeeding-baby-food-allergies

Also Read: 

Back Pain After C-Section
How to Sleep After C-Section Delivery?
Foods You Should Eat and Avoid After Delivery
How to Lose Weight After a C-section Birth?