In the world of natural cuisine, there are few items that could match the nutritional value of edible bird’s nest. It has few dietary restriction and is suitable for all ages. Bird’s nest soup is considered an elixir of youth. It’s said to improve complexion and helps skin retain its natural beauty. It is the gold standard and a favorite among women.
1. Is Bird’s Nest good for pregnancy?
Studies from ancient Oriental medicine as well as modern western medicine show that edible bird’s nest contain essential nutrients that could potentially benefit the health of the baby and mothers during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Bird’s Nest Soup offers many health benefits for mothers-to-be throughout their 9 month pregnancy term
The health benefits of bird’s nest are well-documented and it is a widely-consumed food, especially amongst pregnant women as it can help promote cell division whilst strengthening both the mother’s and the baby’s immune system.
2. What are benefits of Bird’s Nest during pregnancy
As the stomach swells during pregnancy, stretch marks are a normal occurrence. Bird’s nests are believed to help relieve stretch marks thanks to the natural collagen contained within, ensuring smooth, supple skin for the mother-to-be.
Comprising many restorative properties, bird’s nest is also beneficial for promoting healthy growth to the foetus by stimulating cell growth, increasing blood supply and boosting the immune system while providing rich antioxidants to help eliminate free radicals.
Bird’s nests are believed to help relieve stretch marks thanks to the natural collagen contained within, ensuring smooth, supple skin for the mother-to-be
Glycine substances in bird’s nest can help reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women, decreased risk of neural tube defects in the fetus and promote the overall development of children.
The tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin and melatonin, found in bird’s nest soup has antidepressant effects and can help reduce stress, anxiety and fatigue in mothers as well as promoting the recovery process after birth. In addition, tryptophan promotes the optimal growth for the child.
Mothers that consume bird’s nest regularly can give birth to healthy babies that are free of lung diseases and respiratory organ failures.
The threonine found in bird’s nest soup important in the formation of elastin and collage which help prevent aging of the skin. Daily consumption of bird’s nest soup can help the skin retain its radiance and natural beauty to help skin from aging as well as reducing the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy.
The largest benefit of bird’s nest is that it contains amino acids that are essential but the human body cannot synthesize such as: Leucine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Arginine, Histidine… Bird’s nest soup contain a large amount of proline which is important for the recovery muscles, tissues and skin after a traumatic event like giving birth.
>> You should read now: best time to consume bird’s nest for pregnant lady
3. Using Edible Bird’s Nest for Pregnant Mother: when to eat bird nest during pregnancy?
Bird’s nest is NOT recommended in the first trimester (the first 3 months pregnancy). The embryo needs time to firmly embedded into the uterus and establish all the important connections for growth. Best time to drink bird’s nest during pregnancy is from the 4th month onwards.
The recommended amount is 5-10g of dried cleaned bird’s nest used every day or every other day. To save time, you can cook a couple at a time, portion and store in the refrigerator for daily use.
You should not consume large amount of bird’s nest soup at once. For best results, eat a small amount everyday.
4. Using Bird’s Nest after giving birth
The health of post-partum women often substantially reduced. This is because a large amount of blood is loss during childbirth, either by Caesarean section or natural birth.
Compounded by the lack of sleep and hormonal imbalance cause women to feel tired and stressed out and have a weak resistance to infections.
Valuable nutritients in bird’s nest soup will accelerate the process of recovery for the mother. Bird’s nest can also enhance milk supply and scientific evidence show that breast milk is the best food for babies.In addition, the connective tissue under the skin dilate to meet the weight gain during the pregnancy. Mothers with Caesarean deliveries suffer added injuries during birth.
Using bird’s nest soup after birth can help mothers get back in shape as well as quickly regain smooth skin.
Dosage & Administration:
Bird’s nest soup can be used immediately after birth. It is recommended that the mother should try a small amount to test for allergies.
A few slices of fresh ginger can be added to keep the body warm and good for digestion. If mother and baby respond well, then use 5-10g dried cleaned bird’s nests every day or every other day.
5. Bird’s Nest Soup recipe for pregnancy
Ingredients:
– 1 piece Hello Nest Bird’s Nest or 10gram of dried, cleaned Bird’s Nest
– 1 cup drinking water or boiled then cooled water, for soaking.
– 5-6 pieces Rock/Lump sugar.
Method:
– Soak the dry Bird’s Nest in a bowl of water for about 3-5 hours. Use drinking water or water that has been boiled and cooled down to soak the Bird’s Nest. After that, carefully strain the Bird’s Nest and throw the water away.
5.1. Cooking the Bird’s Nest Soup using a slow cooker
– Once done the straining bird’s nest process, pour all bird’s nest into a slow cooker. Rinse the dates and put on top the bird’s nest in the slow cooker. Add in the rock sugar.
Add dates, rock sugar and put on top the bird’s nest in the slow cooker
– Add enough water to cover the ingredients and let it cook in the slow cooker for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on your desired texture.
– You may also cook it with pandan leaves for a different dimension and aroma.
The gooey, gelatinuos bird nests, strands still intact
5.2. Cooking Bird’s Nest in a double boiler
– Prepare a double-boiler and fill the external pot with water that covers almost half the internal pot.
– Place the drained bird’s nest in the internal boiler and add 1 – 2 bowls of water depending of the pieces cooked.
Place the drained bird’s nest in the internal boiler into the external boiler
– Cover both the internal and external pots and start boiling the pot.
– Once it’s boiling, turn to low flame to continue to boil for another 2 – 3 hours.
– When the bird’s nest is cooked to desired texture, stir in rock sugar to taste and cover for about 5 minutes to allow the sugar to dissolve fully
– Do remember to check the water in the external pot is not dried up and sufficient throughout the boil. Once cooked you can have your bird’s nest served hot or cold in a bowl depends on your preference.
6. Additional ingredients you can add into a bird’s nest soup
Raw Edible Bird’s Nest is mainly made up of nutritious protein and therefore contains a certain ‘egg-like’ smell. Purists have been known to consume Bird’s Nest Soup without any other ingredients for maximum absorption and quality.
Here, we do recommend several alternatives that can be added to your Bird’s Nest Soup to make it more delectable.
Rock Sugar
Often consumed as a dessert delicacy, Bird’s Nest is widely-expected to taste sweet. Rock sugar is an essential ingredient in cooking Bird’s Nest. Use suitable amount of rock sugar according to personal preference.
Ginseng
Ginseng
Ginseng has been used in traditional chinese medicine for centuries. It is widely used as an energy tonic, treating stress, increase alertness and mental clarity.
Red Dates
Red Dates
It help the body to produce more red blood cells and boosts immunity. it is also very good for the throat.
Dried Longans
Dried Longans
Help to produce a ‘calming’ sensation to the Bird’s Nest soup and has therapeutic properties.
Ginger
Ginger
Ginger is a catalyst, helping the antioxidants in the Bird’s Nest soup to be better absorbed by the body. It is alkaline and helps the body to digest food, aiding blood circulation and is a wonderful natural remedy for colds.
Egg White
Egg White
Adding some egg white helps to enhance the favours of the bird nest. Goes very well with ginger with bird nest as well. Highly recommended.
Pandan leaves
Pandan leaves
They have a wonderful fragrance and are often used in Asia to magnify the aroma of dishes. Pandan leaves can be cooked together with the Bird’s Nest in the internal pot for a heavenly scent!
Ginkgo Nuts
Ginkgo nuts
They have high level of antioxidants. It is an effective treatment for deteriorating memory and early stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Important : Must be taken in moderate amount to enjoy benefits.
7. Useful Tips for cooking Bird’s Nest
– Rather than weighing the bird’s nest, go by pieces per person. For one person, use 1 piece of Hello Nest Bird’s Nest. This equates to about 9-12 grams per person. We use 1 rice bowl of water per person.
– Although red dates are a common addition in bird’s nest soup, we wouldn’t recommend using it. According to our own experience, the cheap red dates will act like a sponge which absorb the goodness of the bird’s nest soup (though it’s not so bad if you eat the red dates).
– We highly recommend to enjoy bird’s nest in the purest way – just bird’s nest, water and rock sugar. You may also add American ginseng slices. If you find ginseng bitter or intend to consume at night (it improves alertness/ 提神), omit it.
– Don’t fuss over prepping the Bird’s Nest, because our products are usually very clean. Simply soak the bird’s nest pieces in water overnight until fully expanded and softened, but not so long that the bird’s nest disintegrates into small bits.
If there are any impurities such as debris and feathers (which is very normal, as it proves that it is 100% authentic bird’s nest), pluck them out using a kitchen tweezer, drain, and they are ready for cooking.
Don’t fuss over prepping the Bird’s Nest, because our products are usually very clean
– Avoid boiling bird’s nest for too long. Boiling them for too long will remove the solid chunks in the Bird’s Nest Soup, and cause it to become very watery. It will also remove all the proteins and good nutrients inside the bird’s nest.
The older folks especially dislike it when the stewed bird’s nest soup do not have solid chunks after cooking (i.e. very watery). We highly recommend boiling house nest for 20 minutes max. Please see below for more details.
– For best results, use the traditional way of double-boiling instead of an electronic double-boiler slow cooker. However, an electronic slow cooker is an alternative, subjected to personal preference.
Traditional way of double-boiling is recommended
– It is said that bird’s nest soup is best consumed at room temperature, or chilled, on an empty stomach (such as just before bed, or when you wake up in the morning). For maximum absorption, do not eat “heaty” snacks or medication a few hours before and after drinking bird’s nest soup.
Warning: Edible bird’s nest may interact with certain medications and/or trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Additional studies should evaluate whether these foods are safe during pregnancy.
Disclaimer: The contents of this article is for educational purposes only. Before using or ingesting ANY herbs, plants, or foods for medicinal purposes or otherwise, please consult a physician, medical herbalist or other suitable professional for advice.
>> Useful tips to realize stores where you can buy best Bird’s Nest Soup with highest grades and lowest prices.Any questions or need advice about edible bird’s nest, please contact 612-227-3769 for assistance.