I know you’ve read my article about the ultimate breastfeeding diet guide, and you saw that I recommended lentils for breastfeeding boosting. Many of you have concerns, will that gas for me or for the baby? in this article i will show you the right hack to avoid any discomfort
🌱 Why lentils for breastfeeding
You’re doing everything right! Lentils are:
✅ Top-tier breastfeeding food: Packed with protein, iron, and galactagogues (milk-boosting compounds).
✅ Budget-friendly & hearty: Perfect for postpartum energy.
But their raffinose (a complex sugar) can ferment in your gut → gas → discomfort
This doesn’t mean stop them! Just a few hacks:
👩⚕️ 3 Simple Steps to Reduce Lentil Gas (For You!)
1. Soak Them Right
– Rinse lentils: then soak overnight in water with 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice.
– Drain and rinse well before cooking (this removes gas-causing compounds!).
2. Cook Them with These Anti-Gas Spices
– Cumin: Breaks down hard-to-digest fibers
– Ginger: Soothes your digestive system
– Asafoetida (Hing): They say it’s the ultimate anti-gas spice, but as its name tells foetida, it has a bad smell, I don’t like it, but maybe u will find it good when it’s on the food who knows
Try this: Cook lentils with 1 tsp cumin + 2 slices ginger aaaaand if you want a pinch of Hing.
3. Start Small and Build Up
– Week 1: ¼ cup lentils daily
– Week 2: If no discomfort, increase to ½ cup
🍲 3 Gas-Free Lentil Recipes Just For You
1. “Gentle Gold” Lentil Soup
– Red lentils (easiest to digest!)
– Cumin + turmeric + ginger
– Blend until smooth
2. Lactation Lentil Salad
– Sprouted lentils (even gentler!)
– Olive oil + lemon (vinaigrette I like to add mayonnaise to it, it gives it a more creamy texture) + pepper+ salt
– Chopped cucumbers
3. Sweet Lentil Porridge
– Yellow lentils + cardamom/ cinnamon
– Cook until mushy
– Top with honey
this is another step-by-step recipe for Lentil Porridge that you can make yourself.
💡 Extra Tips to Keep You Comfortable
1. Chew slowly: Helps digestion start in your mouth
2. Stay hydrated: Helps fiber move through smoothly
3. Probiotics: Yogurt or kefir can help your gut adjust
