Plan details
Cantonese Confinement Meal Plans: What a Day Includes
What a full day of confinement meals actually contains, how the 4, 5 and 7-week plans differ, and which supplements come with each.
A full day of Cantonese confinement meals is three meals plus two herbal recovery soups, with a set of daily nourishment alongside. Everything is cooked fresh each day and delivered chilled, ready to steam at home.
This page sets out what the plans actually contain. If you would first like to understand how a confinement meal service works and how we look after mothers, start with our meal service page.
What each day includes
Three nourishing meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Two herbal recovery soups: one with lunch, one with dinner. Long-simmered 補身湯水 is the heart of Cantonese confinement eating, and the part that takes the most time.
Daily nourishment: an afternoon snack, roasted rice tea or a herbal wellness tea, a reduced-sugar sweet dessert, and your postpartum supplements.
Plan lengths and included supplements
Plans run 4, 5 or 7 weeks. The difference is the length and the quantity of supplements included.
| Included supplements | 4-Week Plan | 5-Week Plan | 7-Week Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh stewed bird’s nest | 8 bottles | 8 bottles | 8 bottles |
| Eucommia organic chicken essence | 4 packs | 6 packs | 6 packs |
| Organic chicken essence | 4 packs | 4 packs | 6 packs |
| Black date herbal drink | 24 packs | 30 packs | 42 packs |
| Premium black date drink | 6 packs | 6 packs | 6 packs |
This is the current plan content. Exact supply and details are confirmed with you when you order.
How to choose a length
There is no single right answer. It comes down to your situation:
- How you gave birth. Caesarean recovery is usually slower, the richer foods wait longer, and families often want more time overall.
- Who is at home. If a mother, mother-in-law or partner can take over the cooking, a shorter plan may be plenty. If nobody has the capacity, don’t spread a thin budget too thinly.
- How long you want to be looked after. Tradition says a month, but bodies do not finish healing on day thirty.
If you are unsure, the quickest route is to tell us your due date, how you are giving birth and what help you have at home. If you would rather compare providers first, how to choose a confinement meal provider is the list of questions to ask any kitchen.
If there is no one at home to take over, the meals can be paired with in-home postpartum doula support, so the first weeks have an experienced pair of hands in the house as well as food at the door.
To book or ask a question
Calling 604 363 4448 is the quickest way, or you can see the current menu and ordering options below.
References
- Pregnancy and parenting resources · HealthLink BC
- Canada's Food Guide · Health Canada
Frequently asked questions
What does one day actually include?
Three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), two herbal recovery soups (one with lunch, one with dinner), and a daily nourishment set — an afternoon snack, roasted rice tea or a herbal wellness tea, a reduced-sugar sweet soup, and your postpartum supplements. Cooked fresh each day and delivered chilled.
How do I choose between 4, 5 and 7 weeks?
It comes down to three things — how you gave birth, whether anyone at home can take over the cooking, and how long you want to be looked after. Caesarean recovery is usually slower, and a household with no spare capacity tends to want longer. If you are unsure, tell us your situation and we will suggest a length.
When should I book?
Most families arrange it in the third trimester, around weeks 30 to 34. That leaves time for a tasting, and months with a lot of due dates fill up.
Can I taste the food before committing?
Yes. We run a tasting and briefing session, and can deliver a tasting meal if you cannot attend. Committing to a month of food you have never tasted is not a reasonable thing to ask of anyone.
What if there are ingredients I cannot eat?
Tell us before you order — an allergy, a herb you would rather avoid, or something your doctor has asked you to skip. That has to be handled in the kitchen, not by picking items out at the table.