One of the best ways to eat well, stay nourished, and save money is to shop for seasonal produce. But if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably grabbed a recipe book, made a list, and then realised half the ingredients aren’t in season—either they’re impossible to find, or they cost a small fortune. That’s where seasonal eating changes the game It’s a practical way to nourish postpartum mamas with food that is nutrient dense and affordable.

This summer, I want to make things simple by sharing what’s in season right now here in Australia and share some summer postpartum meal inspiration from the Village for Mama books. Here’s your guide to what’s in season this summer and which warming, nutrient dense Village for Mama recipes are perfect for a summer postpartum.

Seasonal Produce in Australia – Summer

Fruits

Banana, Lemon, Orange, Pear, Strawberries, Mango, Apple, Pear, Raspberries

Vegetables

Beetroot, Carrot, Capsicum, Celery, Corn, Eggplant, Leek, Silverbeet, Spring Onion, Tomato, Zucchini.

Herbs & Spices

Basil, Coriander, Dill, Garlic, Ginger, Lemongrass, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Thyme

Postpartum Summer Menu

One Handed Bites for Postpartum & Beyond

• Power Pesto
• Lemon, Herb & Caper Meatballs
• Beetroot, Feta & Quinoa Burger Bites
• Capsicum and Goats Cheese Egg Muffins
• Chocolate Zucchini Mini Loaves
• Date, Banana and Pecan Muffins
• Mango, Coconut and Cardamom Gummies

Village for Mama – Nourishment for the Fourth Trimester

• Rainbow Risotto
• Glowing Greens Soup
• Hearty Vegetable Bake
• Bolognese Sauce
• Golden Laksa
• Slow Cooked Chilli
• Collagen Chocolate Mousse

The Principles of Postpartum Nourishment – With Summer In Mind

For postpartum mamas, the nourishment principles are always the same: warm, soft, easy-to-digest, and nutrient-dense meals. But when summer rolls in with its heat and humidity, it can be tempting to reach for smoothies, salads, or cold raw foods.

While these might seem refreshing, they’re not the most supportive for postpartum healing, especially in the early weeks. In traditional postpartum care, warm foods are considered essential for healing because they’re grounding and easier on digestion.

Hydration in the Summer Heat

Postpartum hydration is essential especially in the summer. Between breastfeeding, night sweats baby wearing and the summer heat. While it’s tempting to devour ice-cold drinks, it’s worth sticking to warm or room-temperature liquids—at least in those early weeks. Cold drinks can slow digestion and make it harder for your body to recover.

Some of my favourite ways to stay hydrated postpartum include:

• Herbal teas either hot or at room temperature
• Filtered water with electrolytes like Hydramama or Franjos Kitchen Hydration
• Broths (both nourishing and hydrating)

Eating seasonally with postpartum in mind by focusing on fresh, affordable produce that’s naturally abundant, you’re supporting your recovery, your health, and even your local farmers.

I hope this gives you some food for thought when planning your postpartum this summer and helps you choose recipes that are both postpartum-friendly and in season.

If you’re feeling inspired, you can find all of these recipes (and more) in the Whole Village Bundle, which includes both One Handed Bites for Postpartum and Beyond and the original Village for Mama cookbook.