Who are you feeding? What are their preferences? Hannah, Michael, Kaito and possibly additional visiting family members. Hannah is open to a broad range of foods, from healthy to comfort (see What Foods Should I Bring?). Michael prefers lean proteins, such as poultry, fish (salmon), vegetables and whole grains. Kaito likes all of the above and kid-friendly food. But the family doesn’t eat fried foods! Why is nutrition so important in the first trimester? (Source: Lily Nicholas, RN) First, your body needs to replenish the nutrients that were transferred to your baby during pregnancy. Second, you need a lot of nutrients to recover the energy expended during birth and for tissue repair (this is true for all women, as pregnancy places huge demands on your connective tissues, but is especially important if you had a tear/episiotomy or had a surgical birth). Third, if you are breastfeeding, your body has the huge task of making milk, something that is very “nutritionally expensive” in both total energy needs and nutrient needs. All breast milk is a nutritional powerhouse and it can be made even more nutrient-dense with a mother’s nutrient-dense diet. What Foods Should I Bring? Other than their favorite foods, a meal that checks these boxes is sure to be a winner: - Hearty and filling - Warming comfort food - High in protein/fat/iron/collagen/B vitamins/glycine for postpartum healing and nourishment ** slow-cooked meats 🍖 🥩 ** slow-cooked stews 🥘 ** bone broth 🥣 ** beans 🫘 ** fish 🍣 , fatty and high in Omegas ** chili (consider hidden liver) ** casseroles and lasagna 🍝 ** curries 🍛 - High in fiber - High in calcium - Cooked vegetables (e.g. baked sweet potatoes 🥔, roasted broccoli 🥦 , sauteed greens 🥬 ) - Multi-course meal: not just the main dish, but sides and dessert too - Provides enough for leftovers - Freezes well - Easy to reheat - If some foods are easy to eat with one hand, that’s a bonus (i.e. oatmeal cookies, muffins, salmon cakes, cut up fruit, etc.) Too busy? Can’t cook? No problem! Meal trains don’t have to be homemade; restaurant delivery via DoorDash, GrubHub or UberEats is totally fine too, as are gift cards. What’s the address? How do I deliver? Hannah Hosotani, 4545 Center Blvd, Apt 3120 Take a picture of the food you’ve left at the apartment door and text the new parents to confirm they’ve received their special package. This will ensure the family knows when the food is delivered so they can eat or store it promptly. Food safety is important! If you have any containers you need returned, arrange for a pick up later. ***** Keep in mind: Delivering a meal is not an invitation to visit and meet the new baby. Unless you’ve been specifically told by the new parents that it’s okay to stick around, plan to just drop off the food and leave. Thank you!!!