Before I gave birth to my son, I was very conscious of the changes my body would go through. I read plenty of books and articles about all the physical, mental, and emotional transformations a mother goes through. But, there is one transformation that no one really talks about: The way your body responds to certain foods after you give birth. What are the benefits of eating nopales while breastfeeding?
My son is now almost 2 years old and he still feeds on breast milk. I’m completely aware of the benefits that come with breastfeeding. One thing that has really helped me during this time is nopales (also known as prickly pear cactus).
Nopales are very rich in vitamins A, B6, C, and K. These nutrients make great allies for breastfeeding mothers since they promote healthy bone growth in children and strengthen the immune system. If women eat more nopales while breastfeeding, their children will be less likely to develop asthma or allergies later in life!
Nopales are also rich in fiber which is beneficial when it comes to digestion. All this combined makes nopales a perfect food for breastfeeding mothers.
What Are the Benefits of Eating Nopales While Breastfeeding?
- Cactus is rich in folic acid which is essential for healthy development of an unborn baby’s spinal cord and brain.
- Vitamin K will help boost your baby’s immune system and protect against infections like pneumonia. It also helps regulate blood clotting and keep bones healthy.
- Vitamin C is important for white blood cell production, which helps fight infections in your baby’s body.
- They’re high in fiber, which helps regulate digestion and keep your body regular.
- They have a lot of vitamin C – one cup is equivalent to two oranges! Vitamin C helps prevent free radicals from damaging your breast milk and can help promote proper immune function in your baby’s body.
What Are the Issues with Eating Nopales?
Most scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Cactus Pear safe in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage. But when it comes to eating nopales, there is no harm in trying it. It is a natural product and has several health benefits for the body.
- Our study of different scientific research also indicates that Cactus Pear does not cause any serious side effects in breastfeeding mothers.
How Much Nopales Can I Consume When Breastfeeding?
This is a question that may seem silly to some people, but for those who’ve been around me during these past six months, it’s a legit concern. Nopales are cactus paddles (pads), which are part of the prickly pear cactus. They’re full of vitamins A, C, and B6. They’re also known to help produce breast milk and boost lactation. So how much nopales can I eat when breastfeeding? The answer is as much as possible! Nopales are packed with nutrients for both mom and baby, so if you’re breastfeeding, there’s no reason not to eat them up!
Does Nopales Affect Breast Milk Supply?
Nutrition Facts
Prickly pears, raw, 1 fruit without refuse
| Protein (g) | 0.75 |
| Total lipid (fat) (g) | 0.53 |
| Carbohydrate, by difference (g) | 9.86 |
| Energy (kcal) | 42.23 |
| Fiber, total dietary (g) | 3.71 |
| Calcium, Ca (mg) | 57.68 |
| Iron, Fe (mg) | 0.31 |
| Magnesium, Mg (mg) | 87.55 |
| Phosphorus, P (mg) | 24.72 |
| Potassium, K (mg) | 226.6 |
| Sodium, Na (mg) | 5.15 |
| Zinc, Zn (mg) | 0.12 |
| Copper, Cu (mg) | 0.08 |
| Selenium, Se (mcg) | 0.62 |
| Vitamin A, IU (IU) | 44.29 |
| Retinol (mcg) | 0 |
| Carotene, beta (mcg) | 25.75 |
| Carotene, alpha (mcg) | 0 |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta (mcg) | 3.09 |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid (mg) | 14.42 |
| Thiamin (mg) | 0.01 |
| Riboflavin (mg) | 0.06 |
| Niacin (mg) | 0.47 |
| Vitamin B-6 (mg) | 0.06 |
| Folate, total (mcg) | 6.18 |
| Vitamin B-12 (mcg) | 0 |
| Folic acid (mcg) | 0 |
| Folate, DFE (mcg_DFE) | 6.18 |
| Cholesterol (mg) | 0 |
| Fatty acids, total saturated (g) | 0.07 |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated (g) | 0.08 |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated (g) | 0.22 |
The truth is that there isn’t enough science to prove or disprove whether or not nopales affect breast milk supply. One study found that women who took Fatty acids supplements had increased breast milk production.
“Furthermore, human milk contains the long-chain polyunsaturated essential fatty acids (LCPUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), arachidonic acid (AA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is important for the appropriate development of baby’s organs, tissues, and nervous system.”
In human milk, the lipids are present as fat globules form mainly constituted of TAG surrounded by a structural membrane composed of phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and glycoproteins. The fat from human milk is its main energy source, consisting 98% (m/m) of neutral lipids (TAG, DAG, and MAG). Hence, the fatty acid composition of these constituents defines the nutritional and Physico-chemical properties of human milk fat.
Can Baby Eat Nopales?
The best way to know whether a baby is ready to start solids is when she shows interest in food and is able to sit up without support.
Nopales are a rich source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, which can help strengthen a baby’s immune system. If you have access to fresh nopales, they’re nutritious enough to eat raw—just be sure that they’re free of pesticides and wash them thoroughly. A baby may not have teeth yet, but nopales are soft enough that he or she can gum and chew them happily. They can also be cooked in a little bit of water or pureed down into a soft paste.
Final Note
Nopal is consist of Fatty acids, polyunsaturated (g), Fatty acids, monounsaturated (g), and saturated (g). And that fatty acids help to produce breast milk and boost lactation.
Nopal is also made up of lipid (fat) which is very essential for milk production in women’s breasts.
Nopales are particularly high in vitamins A, B6, C, and K—all nutrients that are important for breastfeeding mothers. Vitamin A aids in healthy bone development in children and strengthens the immune system.
Source: https://www.rxlist.com/prickly_pear_cactus/supplements.htm