(First published on The Contented Calf website on Friday 4th November 2016.)
Fennel is good for breastfeeding. But what is it?
Fennel is a flowering plant in the carrot family, with yellow flowers and feathery leaves, and is originally indigenous to the Mediterranean coast. The bulb of the plant can be eaten as a vegetable, as can the stalks. The seeds are often used as a spice, either whole or ground, and are often used in Indian, Asian and Middle Eastern cooking.
In her book Mother Food, Hilary Jacobson writes that long before cattle, sheep and goats were domesticated and we could use their milk, breastmilk was the only source of ‘food’ for infants. Many mothers noticed that certain plants helped their milk supply, one of them being fennel.
What makes fennel good for breastfeeding?
Fennel contains Tryptophan. Tryptophan is one of the 10 essential amino acids that the body uses to make the proteins it needs.
In particular, tryptophan serves as a precursor for Serotonin, which supports the chemistry of lactation. It counter-acts Dopamine, which suppresses Prolactin (needed for milk production). So anything that keeps Dopamine levels low, in turn keeps Prolactin levels high; thus making them lactogenic and helping to combat low milk supply.
High tryptophan = high seratonin = high prolactin.
Along with a number of other foods, Tryptophan is particularly plentiful in fennel, making fennel good for breastfeeding.
> Fennel is a sedative vegetable
There is also a small group of herbs and foods containing substances that can act as sedatives. Sedative foods serve as natural Opiates, which also suppress Dopamine, encouraging increased production of Prolactin, and therefore are considered lactogenic. Foods considered sedating include fennel (along with lettuce, onion and potato), which is what makes fennel good for breastfeeding.
Other than fennel being good for breastfeeding what else is great about this lactogenic food?
> Fennel is an excellent source of vitamin c
One cup or 87g of fennel contains 14% of your recommended daily intake of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is the body’s primary water-soluble antioxidant, and netralises ‘free radicals’ which case cellular damage that results in pain and joint deterioration. It is also needed for the proper function of the immune system.
> Fennel is a good source of fibre
One cup or 87g of fennel contains 11% of your RDI of fibre, which may help to reduce elevated cholesterol levels. It also removes potential carcinogenic toxins from the colon, and so may be useful in colon cancer prevention.
Overall nutritional vales of fennel
Fennel, sliced, raw
GI: very low
|Nutrient||Amount||DRI/DV (%)||Nutrient Density||World’s Healthiest Foods Rating|
|vitamin C||10.44 mg||14||9.3||excellent|
|fiber||2.70 g||11||7.2||very good|
|potassium||360.18 mg||10||6.9||very good|
|molybdenum||4.35 mcg||10||6.5||very good|
|manganese||0.17 mg||9||5.7||very good|
|copper||0.06 mg||7||4.4||very good|
|phosphorus||43.50 mg||6||4.1||very good|
|folate||23.49 mcg||6||3.9||very good|
|pantothenic acid||0.20 mg||4||2.7||good|
|vitamin B3||0.56 mg||4||2.3||good|
Thanks to The World’s Healthiest Foods for the above chart.
> Happy and healthy
The health benefits of fennel are numerous and include: helping counteract anemia, indigestion, flatulence, constipation, colic, diarrhea, respiratory disorders, menstrual disorders, heart disease, cancer and high blood pressure, and helps with eye care and brain function.
With fennel being great for breastfeeding AND generally so nutritious, make sure you include some fennel in your diet today.
The Contented Calf Cookbook includes, amongst others, the following recipes containing fennel:
Fig & Fennel Scones pg.26
Grilled Prawns with Fennel Slaw pg.40
Fig & Walnut Cookies pg.85
Chai Spiced Milk pg. 88
and many more…
Get your copy today and start cooking with lactogenic foods. Register on the site and you’ll get a 5% discount of all products bought on www.thecontentedcompany.com.
Top Lactogenic Foods for Breastfeeding Mums
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- Top 10 Lactogenic Foods for Breastfeeding Mums: Barley
- Top 10 Lactogenic Foods for Breastfeeding Mums: Dates
- Top 10 Lactogenic Foods for Breastfeeding Mums: Fennel
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As ever, with love from our family to yours, especially in these strange times.
Stay safe and keep well,
 Jacobson, H. (2007). Mother Food: a breastfeeding diet guide with lactogenic foods and herbs for a mom and baby’s best health. Rosalind Press: pg 23 (available for purchase via www.contentedcalf.com/we-like/)