11. Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids, but in order to unlock their benefits, they must be ground—whole flaxseeds can’t be digested in the body and are excreted unchanged.
Flax oil is also an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and has a sweet and light taste that pairs well with veggies and blends seamlessly into smoothies. The studied health benefits of flaxseeds are far-reaching, from weight loss and blood glucose control to reduced risk of certain types of cancers, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation.
12. Turmeric
Although turmeric is used throughout the world by breastfeeding parents as a galactagogue, there’s no clinical evidence to support that the herb has any effect on the volume of breast milk a person produces.
However, clinical studies have demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric are important to the health and well-being of breastfeeding parents for the prevention and treatment of mastitis as well as to ease the symptoms associated with breast engorgement. In several communities throughout Asia, turmeric is also believed to help boost the immune system of not only parents, but babies too, helping to ward off coughs and colds.
