Does being pregnant make you want to eat anything and everything? Some women get the weirdest pregnancy cravings where they want to eat Doritos with milk or eat soil. Yes! The first one was slightly more believable than the second one.
Taking care of your body becomes essential to ensure your baby gets all the necessary nutrition to grow. So, here are six healthy snack recipes for pregnancy that will keep you and the baby happy and healthy.
1. Nutritious Energy Bites
These energy bites are a healthy and heavenly solution to your unquenchable pregnancy appetite. A mixture of only six ingredients, such as dates and peanut butter, makes this recipe ideal for pregnant women.
Ingredients
Roughly 3/4 cup of 7 Medjool dates (pits removed)
2 tbsp water + 1 tbsp water (if your dates are on the dry side)
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup oats (preferably gluten-free certified)
2 tbsp cocoa powder
3 tbsp flaxseed meal
1 tbsp coconut oil
Directions
- Add water and dates to a food processor
- Process until paste forms. (For old or dry dates, you may add one to two tablespoons of water to ensure they blend well.
- Add flaxseeds, cocoa powder, coconut oil, peanut butter, and gluten-free oats into the food processor and process until you notice a dough-like texture form
- Take around one tablespoon of the concoction and form a ball by rolling it into your hands
- Freeze and enjoy the treat whenever you please.
2. Cucumber Chips
This cucumber chips recipe is a healthy alternative to packaged chips if you are a chip lover. Feel free to customize it to your taste and make different flavors.
Ingredients
Two to three cucumbers
Seasoning of choice: Italian, salt and vinegar, onion and garlic, etc
Directions
- Cut up the cucumbers into thin slices
- Pat them dry and place them in a bowl
- Sprinkle the seasoning of your choice
- Add parchment paper to a baking sheet and place the cucumbers on it
- Bake at 170° for three to four hours (The time it takes to cook also depends on the size of your cucumbers)
- Once cucumbers develop a dry texture, remove them from the oven and start snacking
3. Frozen Fruit Smoothie
Smoothies are a great way to get vegetables and fruit in, and they taste amazing! The best part is that you can also add vegetables that you don’t like eating to your smoothie, and you won’t even taste them.
Ingredients
1 cup of frozen fruit (peaches, berries, strawberries, watermelon – feel free to add any fruit you love)
¼(optional)
Directions
- Add all ingredients mentioned above to a blender
- Pulse for around eight to ten times, then put the blender on high for 45 seconds
4. Banana Muffins
This one is for the ones with a sweet tooth. Bananas are rich in potassium and antioxidants, which a great for your health. The following recipe is ideal for breakfast. It will not only taste amazing but will also provide you with heart-healthy nutrition.
Ingredients
Three large ripe bananas
All-purpose flour
Cinnamon
Vegetable oil
Baking powder and baking soda
Eggs
Milk
Salt
Vanilla Extract
Brown sugar
Directions
- First, combine the dry ingredients: Cinnamon, salt, flour, baking powder, and baking soda
- Second, combine all wet ingredients: Eggs, vanilla extract, brown sugar, and mashed bananas
- Mix dry ingredients with wet ingredients while gradually adding oil and milk
- Stir until all ingredients are combined well
- Line a muffin tin and add the batter to it.
- In a preheated oven, bake the muffins till they pass the toothpick test (toothpick should come out clean)
- Smear the muffins with butter and serve warm
5. Baked Meat Balls
Since a human is growing inside you, protein-rich foods should be a staple in your diet. This chicken-baked meatballs recipe is an ideal option for days when you feel lazy. It only requires five essential ingredients and is very easy to make.
Ingredients
ground chicken
¾ cup Breadcrumbs (Italian flavored)
shredded parmesan
1 cup thinly chopped or shredded carrots
One egg
Directions
- (Preheat oven to 400°) With clean hands, mix the ingredients.
- Take a tablespoon and roll together around 2-tablespoon meatballs (you can also make smaller meatballs and bake them for around 20 to 22 minutes)
- evenly spread apart, placing them on a baking sheet
- Bake for approximately 24 to 26 minutes or until the meatballs turn golden brown
- Serve with ketchup, cheesy sauce, marinara, or any other dip of your preference
- Serve or store in a freezer for later
Pro Tip: You can make as many as you please and freeze them for later.
6. Avocado Toast
When talking about healthy snack recipes for pregnancy, how can we miss Avocado toast? Avocado toast is most individuals’ favorite snack since it’s easy to make and tastes fantastic. Avocados are packed with essential ingredients that your body requires during pregnancy. You get a meal rich in fiber and healthy fats combined with whole-grain toast.
Ingredients
Avocado
One slice of whole-grain bread
Salt and pepper
Directions
- Mash avocado in a bowl and season it with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spread the mixture on a slice or two of toasted whole-grain bread
- Enjoy your snack with some fresh fruit juice
Our Final Thoughts
Pregnancy can take a toll on your health, but it is one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have. Try out these healthy snack recipes for pregnancy to ensure your body and the baby get all the necessary nutrients.
Along with consuming health-friendly food, don’t forget to take prenatal vitamins since this is a time when your body needs all those extra nutrients.
