Now you definitely don’t have to be pregnant (or a mom) to enjoy these quick and healthy snacks. But, when you are expecting a baby or on the road to preparing your body for one, it’s necessary to evaluate what you’re eating and drinking, how often, and if you’re covering all the bases of balanced and proportional meals. Since I’m pregnant again, I knew it would be a smart idea to re-evaluate my food intake and figure out a healthy eating plan that my future self (and our new baby!) will thank me for.
Now meal planning for breakfast/lunch/dinner is one thing, but what about the times during the day where you’re in between meals and feel yourself getting prangry? *Prangry: pregnant + hangry! Not a good combo, says my husband haha* To keep your preggo tummy happy and fed, you will need to have some quick and healthy snack options up your sleeve to make during those times of craving crises.
I’ve rounded together some of my favorite clean-eating snacks that take no time at all to make, that keep my energy levels high in between meals, and taste good too! Here are my go-to top 5 favorites to make:
1. oatmeal w/ pecans + blueberries + ground flaxseed
^Recipe via Little Broken
I love a good cup of hot oatmeal. It’s just so cozy and filling! Oatmeal has essential nutrients needed for mom and baby during pregnancy. And eating oats while you’re a nursing mama is said to help increase your milk supply too! I actually noticed an increase in my supply when I had two bowls of oatmeal a day while nursing.
This recipe is so yummy, and I love to top mine with any kind of berries! Here’s what you’ll need to make your own at home (serves two – share with your spouse, or save one for yourself for later in the fridge):
+1 cup Quaker Old Fashioned Oatmeal (or Bob’s Red Mill if you’re GF)
+1-2 Tbsp Bob’s Red Mill Ground Flaxseed
+1/3 cup fresh blueberries (or your fruit of choice – I love to switch out my fruit based on the season)
+1 Tbsp Honey
+2 Tbsp chopped pecans
+3/4 cup water
+Pinch of salt
+1 cup milk (I use soy)
- In a small saucepan, bring milk and water to a boil over medium heat. Watch the milk, as it over-boils quickly. Reduce the heat to a medium-low and stir in oats, flaxseed, and salt. Cook for 6-7 minutes until the oats are tender, stirring frequently.
- Remove the saucepan from heat. Cover and let sit for 2 minutes.
- Then, stir the oatmeal couple times and divide between two serving bowls. Top evenly with blueberries, pecans, and drizzle of honey. Serve immediately.
2. thin apple slices w/ Toppings
^Recipe via Hello Wonderful
Apples are a great source of nutrition, but are unfortunately loaded with pesticides (unless you buy organic – which you should be doing anyways, especially while pregnant and nursing). It’s best to scrub any fruit or veggie on the dirty dozen list with a natural food scrub solution and to thoroughly wash, peel, and prep these fruits and veggies before consuming.
I make these apple slices with a variety of ingredients at least twice a week because there are so many fun options to make these to your liking. Here’s what you will need to make these bomb dot comb apple slices:
+1 Red Apple (washed, cored, peeled, and thinly sliced)
+1 Tbsp ground flaxseed (find out its health benefits during pregnancy here)
+Optional spread: Nut butter, or yogurt of choice (I love the brand Forager, it’s plant-based and non-dairy. I also love using almond butter on these!)
+Honey for drizzling
+Toppings of choice (listed below)
- Slice prepped apple thinly, and lay slices on a serving platter or plate
- If using yogurt or nut butter: spread a thin layer on the apple and top with your favorite toppings.
- If not using yogurt or nut butter: drizzle a thin amount of honey in a back and forth motion over all apple slices. Top with your favorite toppings.
- Optional: pop in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to turn these into a chilly treat.
*Toppings: nut butter, yogurt, coconut flakes, mini dark chocolate chips, any chopped fruit (kiwi, strawberry, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries), almond slices, dried cranberries, chia seeds, chopped dates, granola, etc.
3. rice cakes w/ nut butter + toppings
^ Recipe via Luci’s Morsels
I was never really into rice cakes – I think they can taste bland by themselves. But when I discovered last year that I can use them as a base to create a mini meal/hearty snack….boy ohhhh boy. Super yum! And, the combinations you can create are endless. Here’s an easy way to turn your rice cake into a protein packed snack:
+Choice of rice cakes (I usually buy plain and cinnamon flavor)
+Choose your protein: hard boiled egg, tuna, nut butter, dried fruit, hummus, shredded chicken, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, baby spinach
+Choose your toppings: ‘Everything but the bagel’ seasoning from TJ’s, granola, avocado, shredded carrots, chopped celery, thinly sliced apple slices, chia seeds, chili flakes, sliced cucumber, honey
- Take one rice cake and start with your protein base.
- Choose your choice of toppings to create a yummy and satisfying snack!
*My favorite combinations:
Greek yogurt / dried fruit / chia seeds
Hard boiled egg / avocado / Everything but the bagel seasoning
Hummus / sliced cucumber / Everything but the bagel seasoning
4. energy ball bites
^ Recipe via The Chic Site
Energy ball bites are another one of my absolute favorite “on the go” snacks to have during the day. If I’m headed out the door, I can chow on a couple of these and feel content until my next meal. I’ve made so many variations of energy ball bites because they’re so easy to make and are loaded with good for you + clean ingredients! Here are some of my go-to recipes:
1. Coconut and Date Energy Balls
2. Almond Butter Paleo Brownie Bites
3. Lemon Poppy Seed Energy Balls
The ingredients in ‘Lactation Bites’ work to promote healthy supply of breast milk if you’re a nursing mama. Anyone can eat them, but nursing mamas will definitely benefit from these nutrient-dense ingredients! Here are two of my go-to recipes for this kind:
5. DIY protein bistro box
^ Recipe via No. 2 Pencil
I love a good bistro box, because it gives you a little bit of everything to give you energy. Make your own at home with any of the following ingredients in a meal-prep glass container, and you’re set for an on the go protein packed snack!
+A small handful of nuts (almonds and cashews are great)
+Hard boiled egg
+Small bunch of green or red grapes
+1 Packet of Justin’s nut butter
+1/4 Pita bread slices
+1 Baby bell cheese ball
+Apple slices
+Edamame
+Cucumber slices
+Bell pepper slices
+Baby carrots
+Small container of hummus (I get these at costco, they come in a pack of 20 or something ridiculous, but they’re the perfect portion size for on the go!)
Whether you’re knee deep in toddler craziness at home or pulling long hours being a boss babe (or both!), pausing to make these yummy snacks will become your favorite part of the day <3 Remember, a nourished body is a happy body! Despite your busy day, don’t forget to take care of you, girl. Xo
