As someone who has been on the receiving end of a loving meal train from some wonderful people, keep in mind the size of the family you are cooking for.

Don't send over enough food to feed a household of 3 teenage boys.

Think in terms of one meal plus lunch leftovers per eating adult.

Little kids eat half portions, and might not eat more than a bite if the meal is not bland or simple.

Teen boys eat a ton, but teen girls eat anywhere from very little to normal adult portions.

If you are cooking for 2 new parents, don't send over a whole lasagne or casserole.

No one wants a fridge full of food that they will never be able to finish and now have to throw away because everyone is dropping off a 9x13 tray of pasta and an entire loaf of bread each night.

I think 99% of the stuff you hear to do for gassy babies is BS. What happens is:
A) the baby gets older and less fussy, so people attribute that to whatever thing they last did for “gas”
B) you draw an unlucky card for colic or a specific food intolerance and none of those little strategies work anyway and people just torture you by asking about them for months.

Just ask her what she wants.

I never had any dietary restrictions with my son, while some people have to make cuts, some babies don't have any sensitivities.

Make whatever she loves that reheats well. Many moms can eat anything with no impact on the baby’s feeding, so don’t worry about that unless you get a specific request.

I like to include a main dish, a salad and a loaf of bread. Maybe some cut up fruit if it’s in season.

Thank you for the suggestions!

Anonymous wrote:I do, but I wouldn't if the friend specified nothing bland. I would probably ask her husband if she has any dietary restrictions since the baby was born. But it's probably too early for that if the baby was just born. It takes most of us a while to realize what we need to cut out.

Why not just ask her? Ask her.

She gave birth; she’s not in a coma. Ask her what she wants / needs. Ask her.

Quinoa bowls. Chicken/tofu, chickpeas, couple of vegetables (mushrooms, onions, peppers, squash, spinach) with Georgian spice mix (try Trader Joe's). Tzatziki and goat cheese or feta to garnish.

Would you be opposed to a rice bowl? The ingredients can be stored separately so they can add as much or as little as they like.

Some variation of:
-rice (microwavable bag), quinoa
-extras: cucumber, sweet potato, chickpeas, peas, broccoli, carrots, green beans, broccoli, nuts, seeds
-dressing

Chicken Marbella with rice and a Mediterranean salad.

Baguette.

Apple pie with ice cream.

Roast chicken
Rice
Salad / veggies

Dessert

“Strong preferences”

Ask what she would prefer.

Ask her what she likes and make that.

I do, but I wouldn't if the friend specified nothing bland. I would probably ask her husband if she has any dietary restrictions since the baby was born. But it's probably too early for that if the baby was just born. It takes most of us a while to realize what we need to cut out.

Anonymous wrote:When you’re making a meal for a new mom who is breastfeeding, do you avoid foods that might make a newborn gassy or upset their stomach? I normally try to avoid things like onion or tomato, but I’m struggling to come up with ideas for a friend who has strong preferences. She doesn’t like bland food. She likes to eat healthy, nutritious meals that aren’t fattening. What travels well, reheats well, isn’t bland, isn’t full of fat, and won’t upset a newborn’s stomach? I really want to make a meal, not give her a DoorDash gift card. This is her first, so I don’t have to make something that appeals to children.

Nope. The only things I abide by is not making fish if they hate fish, or meat if they are a veg, no gluten if celiac.

When you’re making a meal for a new mom who is breastfeeding, do you avoid foods that might make a newborn gassy or upset their stomach? I normally try to avoid things like onion or tomato, but I’m struggling to come up with ideas for a friend who has strong preferences. She doesn’t like bland food. She likes to eat healthy, nutritious meals that aren’t fattening. What travels well, reheats well, isn’t bland, isn’t full of fat, and won’t upset a newborn’s stomach? I really want to make a meal, not give her a DoorDash gift card. This is her first, so I don’t have to make something that appeals to children.