5 Easy & Delicious Recipes of Soya Chunks during Breastfeeding & Its Benefits

Soya chunks are small dried soybeans. They are a wonderful addition to your diet during pregnancy and after delivery. But did you know Soya chunks also have many health benefits for mothers who breastfeed? These benefits include changing the lipid content of breast milk, helping with postnatal depression, and improving fertility.

Eating soya chunks can be boring. But there are certainly some healthy and delicious recipes that can help you eat Soya chunks with joy. 

Don’t worry if you’re not sure how to include Soya chunks in your diet. I am sharing some ideas to easily eat soya chunks during Breastfeeding.

But before we dive into the details about how to cook Soya Chunks dishes, let’s understand the benefits of eating soya chunks during Breastfeeding.

Benefits of Soya Chunks during Breastfeeding

Soya Chunks also known as Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), or Textured Soy Protein (TSP), Soy Meat in some regions. As the name suggests it is high in protein and made from defatted soy flour product (a by-product of extracting soybean oil).

Soya chunks are made from soybeans that have been soaked and baked for hours to create a meat alternative that is high in protein. Soaking and baking break down all the nutrients, making it easier for the body to digest than in its raw form.

Here are the benefits of eating soya chunks…

• Soya chunks are a natural form of protein designed specifically for people who need to increase their milk supply.
• Soya chunks are also high in iron.
• Soya chunks are a safe food, rich in nutrients that are easily digested and assimilated by the body.
• Soya chunks do not contain any dairy, wheat, eggs or preservatives.
• Helps prevent constipation and hemorrhoids.
• Soya chunks help you lose weight.
• May help decrease cholesterol levels in women with diabetes.
• Soya chunks are occasionally used in baby foods designed for babies who are not breastfed.

However, there could also be some limitations of taking soya chunks for some women, such as:

• The most common side effect of soya chunks is a slight increase in your appetite.
• Soya chunks can cause an allergic reaction for some people.

It is highly recommended to consult with the expert before you start eating soya chunks.

Now, let’s jump right away into the mouthwatering Soya Chunk recipes.

Recipes of Soya Chunks during Breastfeeding

Below are 5 easy, healthy, and delicious recipes for breastfeeding mothers using soya chunks. Want to give it a try? Read on.

1. Soya Chunks Curry

The first recipe for breastfeeding mothers using soya chunks is Soya Chunks Curry. To make this recipe, you need just a couple of spices that are easily available in your kitchen and soya chunks, of course.

Ingredients you need to prepare Soya Chunks Curry

Soya chunks, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp salt, cinnamon, 1/2 tsp of black pepper, one bay leaf, and one tsp of cumin seeds

Step-by-Step recipe of Soya Chunks Curry

• Soak 1 cup soya chunks in 4 cups water for 2 hours.
• Rinse and squeeze to remove extra water.
• Place a pressure cooker on medium heat.
• Add one tablespoon of oil, one-inch cinnamon, half a teaspoon of black pepper, one bay leaf, and one teaspoon of cumin seeds, and saute them.
• When the cumin is done sputtering, add 1/2 cup minced garlic, 1/2 cup chopped onion, and 1 chopped green pepper.
• Add 2 finely chopped tomatoes, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala, and 1 tsp salt.
• Add the soya chunks and the 1/2 cup water, and heat to boiling point. Pour 1 1/2 cups of water into the pressure cooker.
• Close the lid.
• Pressure cook on medium flame.
• Turn off the heat after one whistle.

Pro tip: Letting pressure go is something I always try to do.

Soya Chunks Curry would be great for breastfeeding mothers. Share with us in the comments below how it tasted.

2. Soya Chunks Biryani

Soya chunks biryani is a delicious healthy one-pot Indian rice recipe. It’s a popular dish that combines soy chunks and vegetables cooked in an aromatic Indian spice masala.

Ingredients to cook Soya Chunks Biryani

3/4 cup Basmati rice, 1/2 Cup Soya chunks, 1 Green chili, tomato, carrot, 5 beans, 1 medium-sized potato, 1/4 cup green peas, Finely Chopped- 1/2 Tbsp Ginger, 1 Tbsp Garlic, 1 Tbsp Curry leaves, 2 small onions, Fennel seeds – 1/2 Tbsp

Step-by-Step recipe of Soya Chunks Biryani

• Wash both the rice and soya chunks. Soak them in separate bowls.
• It will take at least 15 minutes for them to be soaked. Meanwhile, cut the veggies.
• Put the ingredients in the cooker pan under “To Temper” in this order: Once the fennel seeds start changing color, add the ginger, garlic, curry leaves, green chilli, onion, and saute until the onion is golden brown.
• After sauteing the tomato, add 1 teaspoon of salt (adjust as per your taste). Add all the vegetables and saute for a minute.
• If you want to make a stir, turn the flame to medium and then add the spices: Garam masala powder (1 tsp), red chili powder (3/4 tsp), turmeric powder (1/4 tsp), 1/2 tsp of both coriander and cumin powder.
• Give a stir and add 2 tsp of (chopped) coriander leaves and mint leaves. Squeeze out the water and then add Soya chunks to the mixture.  Finally, add some water and rice.
• Mix everything together.
• When the rice is done, close the lid of the cooker and cook for 1 whistle. Wait until the pressure goes down.
• Open the lid and sprinkle with a small amount of ghee, and transfer to the serving bowl.

Yes, breastfeeding mothers can eat biryani.

3. Soya Chunks Salad

Soya Chunks Salad is an easy and quick nutritious meal recipe made with soya nuggets, olives, corn, onions, capsicum.

Ingredients to prepare Soya Chunks Salad

Chopped capsicum (2 medium probably), Chopped onions (2 large or more), Drained frozen sweet corn (1/2 cup), 1 handful of green olives.

Toppings: Hung curd, ketchup, mayonnaise, cheese spread, salt

Step-by-Step recipe for Soya Chunks Salad

• Add 2 cups of water to a bowl. Soak the soya nuggets for at least an hour in boiling water. This will make the nuggets softer. Take the chunks, squeeze them, and keep them aside.
• Wash all the vegetables you want to add to the salad in cold water. You can either dry them or chop them. Once done, keep them aside too.
• Let’s prepare the topping. Add some flavors to the salad. Put all the chopped vegetables in the bowl and chill them in the refrigerator. Pro tip: The salad tastes better when the dressing is chilled.
• It’s time to stir fry the nuggets. Heat a wok over moderate flame. Put the soya chunks in the wok and stir-fry them until they turn golden. The salad recipe will be crunched by the stir-frying of the soya chunks. Keep them aside when you remove them.
• In the same Wok, add onions and capsicums. To make them little crunchier, saute both of them for a short time. When they are done, take them out of a bowl and keep them aside. Add in mushrooms when you cook the wok over a high flame. If you want to remove the mushroom from the flame, stir-fry it for half a minute.
• Mix veggies with greens. Bring the cooked vegetables to room temperature. Take a bowl and mix all the vegetables with the salad greens. The bowl should be kept in the refrigerator for a while. 
• Just before serving, pour the dressing onto the salad and sprinkle some of the baked croutons (optional).

A healthy yet delicious salad is ready to eat. Try this easy salad recipe now!

Soya chunks salad can be consumed during pregnancy, after delivery, and during breastfeeding. 

4. Soya Chunks Soup

This soup is a healthy option for mothers looking to ease their tummy rumbles. The soup can be whipped up in minutes and is a great source of protein for the mother.

Ingredients you need to cook Soya Chunks Soup

1 cup cubed soybeans, 1 cup cubed, deseeded papaya, 1 handful chopped black beans, 2 pinches salt, 1 1/2 cup veg stock, 1 tomato, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 dash powdered black pepper

Step-by-Step recipe of Soya Chunks Soup

• Soak the soya chunks in hot salted water for 15 minutes and once they swell, drain out the soaked soya and squeeze out the excess water.
• Heat the butter and fry the soaked soya granules for a couple of minutes.
• Now, mix the vegetables and stir fry. In the same pan, add stock and half a cup of water.
• Lower the heat and bring it to a boil, then add salt and pepper. It needs to be boiled for about another couple of minutes. Serve hot.

Soya Chunks Soup can be a great addition to the diet of a breastfeeding mother after delivery. 

5. Soya Chunks Bhurji

Want to make a simple and easy soya recipe with soya granules? Here you go –

Ingredients to prepare Soya Chunks Bhurji

Soya granules, 1 onion, 1 capsicum, 1 tomato, spices: turmeric powder, chili powder, garam masala, salt

Step-by-Step recipe for Soya Chunks Bhurji

• Soak 3/4th cup of Soya granules.
• Remove excess water by rinsing and squeezing soya granules.
• Pour 1 tsp of olive oil in a pan and heat it on medium flame.
• Then add 1 tsp of cumin seeds. Chop the veggies and add it to the pan with 1/2 tsp of spices (mentioned in the ingredients). Add a dash of salt to taste.
• Saute them for a few minutes. Now add soaked soya granules and 1/4 cup of water.
• Cook until ready and serve it with rice or roti.

Other than these recipes, you can also add soya chunks to your regular pulao to find another excuse to consume soya.

To all the breastfeeding mothers out there, 

Extract the benefits of soya chunks by trying any of the above recipes. Let us know which one you tried and how you liked it!

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FAQs – Eating Soya Chunks during Breastfeeding