A few reasons I recommend it to all of my clients:
Minerals
It’s rich in minerals, especially calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. These are essential for your baby to build strong, healthy bones. The minerals must be obtained from your diet, otherwise they will be “borrowed” right out of your own bones and given to your baby. The body absorbs the minerals found in bone broth very easily (even more so then from supplements) and it’s a great source of dairy-free calcium. Continue drinking bone broth while breastfeeding to produce calcium rich milk and help replete loss of bone density.
Gelatin & Collagen:
These nutrients are key in supporting joints and connective tissue, and they help to make up cartilage and bone. The collagen in bone broth is more easily absorbed than those expensive collagen supplements. Gelatin is also healing for your intestines, so if your tummy is upset or you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), broth can help. It can also help repair damaged and recovering tissues in the postpartum phase.
Glycine
Glycine is considered a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning under normal circumstances, our body can produce enough from the other amino acids (proteins) we consume. However, pregnancy is a special exception where the body’s demands exceed its rate of synthesis.
Protein
Protein requirements in pregnancy increase by at least 25g and even more so for breastfeeding moms. The amino acids in bone broth perform a wide variety of functions including: boosting the immune system, improving digestion, fighting inflammation, promoting sleep and calming the mind. Particularly high in arginine, glycine, and proline.
Nausea:
When nausea hits in the earlier weeks of pregnancy, it can be hard to get and keep food down. Bone broth is soothing and nutrient dense. It is very easy to digest, and often calms the stomach very quickly.
How to make homemade bone broth in the Instant Pot
*I also saved it on a IG highlight found here.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken or turkey -or- 2 to 3 pounds of bony parts, such as necks, backs, breastbones, wings, and feet (ideally, from pastured birds)
- 2 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice (this helps leach more minerals from the bones)
- 1 large onion, skin on, cut into quarters
- 2-4 carrots, whole
- 2-4 celery stalks, with leaves (if possible)
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon black peppercorns (optional)
- vegetable scraps – (optionally add kale stems, parsley, garlic, ginger, etc)
- cold filtered water, to cover
Directions
- Combine. Add all ingredients to Instant Pot.
- Set to high pressure and cook for 90 minutes.
- You can do quick release, or natural release. The stock is done when the bones are soft. The ends of chicken or turkey bones should literally crumble, otherwise you can let it continue cooking to maximize the mineral content of the broth. At this point, the stock should be a rich golden color.
- Let cool for no longer than 2 hours (it is nutrient-dense and a breeding ground for bacteria if left out).
- Refrigerate and use within a few days, or freeze for future use.
- Enjoy all the beautiful benefits of home made bone broth!
