Welcome to our insightful blog series! For those of you that have been following for a while, I’ve been doing a ‘meal prep’ series on the blog. In August, I’m going to be doing a ‘postpartum insights’ series with a focus on interviews with people who are experts in their respective fields and people I admire.

Today, I am so excited to share with you an interview with an amazing chef, food photographer, and food stylist, Derrick Reed. Derrick was an essential member of our community in the early days of bringing our son home when we lived in Los Angeles. Derrick thought through and prepared the most amazing and nourishing meals for our new family during such a formative time in our lives. 

As someone who is fascinated by food and loves using food as medicine, I’m excited to pick Derrick’s brain and share some information here. Derrick, a passionate food enthusiast who, much like new moms, knows the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle amidst a busy schedule. With experience in fine dining kitchens, he understands the stress of unplanned dinners lacking nutritional substance. This led Derrick to embark on a culinary adventure, delving into vegetable-centric cooking that emphasizes efficiency and overall nutritional value. Through his unique combination of nutritional knowledge and restaurant experience, Derrick has mastered the art of crafting delicious, thoughtful meals that provide substantial nourishment for both the mind and body. 

Derrick, thank you so much for your time! I’d love to open with where you’d recommend for people to start when looking at food and ingredients for pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.

Hey Andrea, thank you for having me! I’d recommend future/new mothers to first have a keen eye on vegetables, fruits, whole foods, & lean meats! During and after pregnancy, energy levels will often be depleted, so it’s important for mothers to consume foods that will provide both their babies and their bodies with the nutrients and energy needed to thrive. Vegetarians can do the same by swapping out meats for legumes like beans that provide potential missing protein.

What are your thoughts on food for healing and are there any foods or ingredients mamas should avoid and also consider including during the postpartum time?

Food and its healing properties correlate as far back as we remember, and for good reason. The foods we eat directly affect the way our bodies proceed through day to day functions. It is in our guts where most chronic illness begins. If a bad diet can cause such damage, imagine the infinite healing ability of a diet that is well-balanced, emphasizing vegetables, whole grains, fruit & lean meats.

When planning meals, mothers should avoid foods that are heavily processed or high in saturated fats, as well as fish that contain high levels of mercury, sorry no tuna rolls! Instead, the primary focus should be on leafy greens and lean meats. Salmon, when consumed in moderation, provides essential vitamins like B12 & omega-3 fatty acids making a great seafood dinner. I’ll often pair salmon with greens braised in chicken bone broth. 

Yogurt and full-fat dairy products are another great addition to the diet resulting in additional calcium, fat, and protein for both the mother and newborn.

In those early days postpartum, it can feel overwhelming and unattainable to get a nourishing meal in. Do you have any suggestions to help parents during this time?

Plan, plan, plan! If you’re going to get dinner going, plan for an extra portion or two and freeze them where you can. Cross-utilizing ingredients is another great way to save time. Perhaps, when you cook off brown rice, you can make enough for tomorrow’s breakfast to be brown rice pudding. Remember that yogurt from earlier? With the addition of the yogurt and berries (loads of antioxidants), that same pudding becomes dessert, satisfying postpartum sweets craving. I see a great use of time, a delicious energizing meal, and more importantly, HEALTHY eating! This same concept applies to braised leafy greens, legumes, chicken breast & lean beef.

For local NJ parents who are reading this and thinking “I want Derrick to meal prep for me!” (also same!), do you have anywhere you suggest we look for this type of service?

Since I’m currently based in Baltimore, meal prepping for Northern NJ families is off the table unfortunately but I do have a lot of information and recipes on my website here. For more local chef and meal prep options, you can check out online chef staffing agencies and/or Facebook groups devoted to healthy eating for some leads. 

Anything else you want to share with us?

Just a final thank you for having me and happy, healthy eating to all the moms and moms-to-be out there!!

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If you’re feeling the fire to meal prep and attempt to get ahead for your postpartum period, or someone you love, you can check out the other posts on this blog under “meal prep” or visit Derrick’s website for some incredible recipes and videos. Empower yourself or your loved ones with the gift of nourishing, delicious meals to assist with a more smooth and fulfilling postpartum journey. Let the joy of culinary creativity and thoughtful preparation be the guiding force in your postpartum wellness!

Andrea Yates at Caring for You Doula is a postpartum doula in Hoboken, NJ, serving families across northern NJ. Contact her today to set up a free consultation on how she can help care for you and your family during this amazing time.