Postpartum Nutrition Myths: Cold Foods, Dairy, Gluten - What Actually Matters for Healing
Postpartum Nutrition Is Often Framed as Restriction, But That’s the Wrong Lens
New parents are often told to:
Avoid certain foods
Eliminate dairy
Go gluten-free
Eat “clean”
Avoid cold foods
But postpartum healing doesn’t thrive on restriction.
It thrives on adequate nourishment.
Common Postpartum Food Myths Explained
Cold Foods
The claim: Cold foods slow digestion and impair healing.
The reality:
Cold foods may temporarily slow digestion, but there is no evidence that they impair nutrient absorption or postpartum healing.
If cold foods cause bloating or appetite suppression for an individual, they can be limited, but they are not inherently harmful.
Dairy
The claim: Dairy is inflammatory and should be avoided postpartum.
The reality:
For most people without a true allergy, dairy is:
A dense source of protein
Rich in calcium
Helpful for meeting postpartum nutrient needs
Research shows dairy has a neutral to positive impact for most individuals.
Gluten
The claim: Gluten damages the gut postpartum.
The reality:
In people with celiac disease, gluten triggers an immune response and must be avoided.
In healthy populations, gluten-containing foods are:
Familiar
Easy to digest
Useful sources of fiber and micronutrients
There is no strong evidence that gluten harms postpartum healing in the general population.
Why Elimination Diets Are Risky Postpartum
Elimination diets:
Increase nutritional risk
Increase mental load
Reduce calorie intake
Can worsen depletion
Postpartum bodies need more, not less.
Postpartum Nutrition as “Addition,” Not Restriction
A more helpful framework is nutrition by addition:
Add warmth
Add protein
Add hydration
Add minerals
Add ease
This allows flexibility without compromising recovery.
Easy, Nourishing Foods - Even If They Include Dairy, Gluten, or Cold Components
Yogurt
Cottage cheese
Hard-boiled eggs
Pre-made soups
Simple meals with meat and vegetables
What matters most is:
Eating enough
Eating consistently
Supporting healing needs
Key Takeaway
Postpartum healing is not about food rules.
It’s about nourishment, adequacy, and meeting the body where it is, not forcing it into a diet shaped by fear or trends.
If postpartum nutrition advice has ever left you feeling confused, restricted, or afraid of “doing it wrong,” you’re not imagining things.
Mommerz™ approaches postpartum nourishment as nutrition by addition, not restriction - supporting healing without unnecessary rules or elimination diets.
Join the Mommerz™ community to learn how to nourish yourself in postpartum with clarity, flexibility, and compassion - so food feels supportive, not stressful.