By Samantha Sinoff
There is nothing like the joy of holding your newborn for the first time. There’s also nothing like the overwhelming whirlwind of feedings, diaper changes, and sleepless nights that come along with it. During the wild first few weeks of new parenthood, it’s especially easy to forget to keep yourself and your family fed. This is why the meal train my closest friends organized was immensely helpful for both sanity and satiety. Meal trains are essentially sign-up sheets (often virtual in the modern day) that allow friends and family to bring or send meals to a new family. After experiencing my now second postpartum meal train, I can attest to how invaluable they are. If you have a parent-to-be in your life, consider celebrating their growing family by setting up a meal train with my planning tips and suggestions for Savoryonline recipes that can really help.
Send something homemade
One of the greatest perks of a meal train is the homemade meals. While takeout gift cards were always appreciated or diving into the freezer for frozen food could be convenient, receiving a home-cooked dish tasted like a breath of fresh air. Meal trains are more than just a way to keep new parents energized; they’re a gesture of love and support. Newborn time is short and precious, and a meal train converts time spent preparing food into time with a newborn (or equally important sleep). Meals that arrive during those early days make all the difference in navigating the exhaustion and joy of new parenthood.
While we received and appreciated an abundance of mac and cheese, baked ziti, and other toss-in-the-oven dishes, we really appreciated switching it up sometimes. A pot of chili, like this Turkey Black Bean Chili with Baked Tortilla Chips is packed with protein, an essential nutrient for all new moms. While not only delicious, a one-pot dish like chili allows for easy serving and clean up and can be repurposed in a variety of different ways over the course of a few days (like spooned over a baked potato or baked into stuffed shells).
And don’t underestimate the power of a sandwich. The first few weeks of newborn life usually include holding the baby for many hours of the day, so meals need to be easy to grab and eat—sometimes with just one hand. A sandwich can be packed with many nutrients and flavors and is mobile enough for new parents to enjoy while caring for their infant. These Hummus and Turkey Sandwiches, Tuna Club Sandwiches,or Spicy Tomato Grilled Cheese are great picks.
Friends brought us everything from butternut squash soup to spaghetti and meatballs, full of flavor and perfect for leftovers. The best part? The portion size of these meals lasted multiple days, giving us much-needed breathing room during those early weeks.
But always check in with the family before sending food
If you plan to cook a homemade meal, always be sure to consult with the family first. While any meal is always welcome and appreciated, check in with the new parents about their taste preferences, dietary restrictions, or allergies and how many people will be partaking in the meal. This is important so that the new parents don’t feel the need to supplement their meals or waste food.
For example, if gifting to someone who needs a meatless meal, consider a vegetarian casserole, like this Cheesy Vegetable and Bean Casserole, or a filling soup, like this Black Bean Soup with Cornmeal Dumplings. A gluten-free family might love these Gluten-Free Zucchini Brownies to snack on or a Gluten-Free Pasta Salad with Herb Vinaigrette to pair with a simple roasted protein. My family keeps specific Jewish dietary laws called kosher, so it was imperative that those gifting us connected with us first to ensure we didn’t waste a thing.
Then, plan beyond dinner
You might not think about providing a new family with some snacks or sweets, but that can go a long way, especially when the parents might need a bit of a pick-me-up in the middle of the night. Bonus points if the dessert can be repurposed as a breakfast item and grabbed one-handed. Some favorites to try are the Almond-Cranberry Biscotti, Zucchini Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins, and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. Energy bites, like these Chocolate Brownie Bites or Date and Oat Bites are also great late-night or on-the-go snacks.
A Veggie Frittata is also a dish that can be used for any meal, including breakfast, which would be a great addition to the fridge for a postpartum family. This dish is also packed with so many food groups, a necessity for keeping up one’s energy.
Samantha Sinoff is a health educator and a mom of two objectively adorable kids. She has been teaching youth about nutrition for over five years, and is finally putting her expertise into writing. She loves learning about food, cooking, and ordering takeout when parenthood is just a little overwhelming.
