| | Traditionally, they use a lot of ginger, wine and sesame oil in their diet. Common dishes include pigs' trotters cooked with ginger and vinegar, fish soup, chicken cooked in sesame oil and a traditional tonic brewed from 10 herbs. Fish soup boiled with papaya is believed to be beneficial for milk production. It is also recommended that plain water be avoided during this period to reduce the risk of water retention. Instead, specially prepared drinks from a mixture of herbs and preserved dates are recommended. | During confinement, a woman follows a special diet in which heating foods are encouraged and cooling foods avoided to restore the balance upset by the birth of the baby. Some Malay women who have just delivered often take a special drink called "jamu". It is believed that the body's pores are opened during labour and "jamu"has properties that can keep the body warm. | Indians take garlic milk to prevent "wind". Like the Chinese and Malays, "cooling" foods are avoided, especially tomatoes, cucumbers, coconut milk and mutton. Only chicken and shark fish cooked with herbs are allowed. Other seafood is not allowed. Chilli is not allowed. Consuming plenty of garlic cooked without oil is encouraged. Cooking is done with gingly oil. The oral intake of herbs is encouraged to keep the body warm. There is a restriction on the intake of fluids/fruits/vegetables as well as cold drinks. |
