Pregnancy is a phase of cravings and hunger, so eating something healthy at all times is extremely important. Consuming healthy snacks is one way to help keep your hunger pangs under control and it also gives you sufficient nourishment needed to keep you energetic through the day. Moreover, these little nibbles are easier on the stomach as compared to heavy meals, when you are dealing with discomforts like nausea and food aversions.
Apart from keeping you full, snacks are also a great way to fill your body with key nutrients that support your baby’s development like protein, folate, calcium, and DHA. So instead of grabbing a big bag of chips or a pint of ice cream when hungry, prepare healthy snacks yourself to give you and your little one an extra dose of nutrition.
7 Healthy Snack Recipes For Pregnancy
Pregnancy snacks are easy-to-prepare, healthy, and filling, and the best part is that you can never fall short of ideas.
Homemade Trail Mix
This mixture of dry fruits, nuts, and seeds comes in handy when you want to munch something during your work break or bedtime.
You will need:
- Walnuts — ½ cup
- Almonds — ½ cup
- Raisins — ½ cup
- Dried cranberries — ½ cup
- Dried apricots (chopped) — ½ cup
- A mix of sunflower and pumpkin seeds — ½ cup
- Dark chocolate chips (optional) — a handful
Directions:
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Store the mixture in an air-tight container and eat it when you crave something crispy.
Roasted Chickpeas
These crunchy and savoury snacks are rich in protein and fibre and are easy on the stomach.
You will need:
- Chickpeas — 300 gms
- Salt — ½ to ¾ tablespoons
- Olive oil — 2 tablespoons
- Fresh herbs of your choice — 2 tablespoons
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 230°C.
- Rinse the chickpeas and pat them dry using a paper towel.
- Place the chickpeas on the baking sheet and sprinkle salt and drizzle some olive oil. Stir them properly so they are mixed.
- Roast in the oven for 20-30 minutes till they turn golden and crispy.
- Top them with your preferred spices and consume them warm.
Powerball Cookies
These are healthy and filling snack options that will also satisfy your sweet cravings. All the ingredients used to make these cookies are rich sources of fibre and can aid digestion and prevent constipation.
You will need:
- Oats — 3 cups
- Honey — 1 cup
- Almond butter or peanut butter — 1 cup
- Dark chocolate chips — 1 cup
- Flaxseed — 1 cup
- Combination of soft dried fruits and nuts — 1 cup
Directions:
- Melt the butter and slowly add honey. Mix till it forms a smooth consistency.
- Add the oats and mix well. Once the blend is well-mixed, add the rest of the ingredients and fold.
- Using a cookie scoop, prepare the balls and store them in the refrigerator. Munch on these nutrient-packed cookies when you get hungry.
Avocado Toast
Avocados are considered pregnancy superfoods due to their rich nutrient and fat content. This crunchy flavoured toast could be a perfect choice for breakfast or evening snacks.
You will need:
- Whole grain bread — 3 slices
- Ripe avocado — 1 (peeled)
- Garlic clove — 1
- Black pepper and salt — according to taste
- Olive oil — 2 tablespoons
- Red pepper flakes and sea salt flakes
Directions:
- Use a fork to mash the avocado in a bowl.
- Add salt and black pepper to it.
- Toast the bread until it’s brown and crispy.
- Rub each side of the bread with garlic, then brush with a little oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Put the mashed avocado on the toast and sprinkle some sea salt and pepper flakes over it.
Crunchy Granola Yogurt Popsicles
Yogurt is rich in calcium and aids in the development of teeth, muscles, and bones in the baby. This quick-to-make recipe is healthy, refreshing, and perfect for summer afternoons or evenings.
You will need:
- Milk — ½ cup
- Granola — ½ cup
- Greek yogurt — 1 cup
- Honey — 2 tablespoons
- Berries — 1 cup, finely chopped
Directions:
- Combine the milk and yogurt and add one tablespoon of honey to it.
- Add the granola into the mix and then pour the blend into popsicle molds.
- Top the mixture with diced berries and the remaining honey.
- Place a wooden stick on each mold and keep them in the freezer for 4-6 hours.
- While removing the popsicle, put the molds into the water, so that the popsicle comes out easily. Enjoy your refreshing yogurt granola popsicle!
Hard-boiled Eggs With Crackers
Besides being loaded with protein, calcium, and protein, eggs are rich in choline— a nutrient essential for the baby’s brain and spinal cord development. This snack recipe can be made in under 10 minutes and is perfect to munch before dinnertime.
You will need:
- Multigrain wheat crackers — 5
- Hard-boiled eggs — 2
Directions:
- Hard boil the eggs and slice them into thin rounds.
- Put the egg slices on top of the crackers and add diced tomatoes, cucumber, and spring onions.
- You can also crumble the crackers and mix them with sliced boiled eggs and other veggies to make a salad.
Wholegrain Jam Bars
These bars are sweet, scrumptious, and soft, making them a perfect dessert option or a healthy evening snack.
You will need:
- Rolled oats — 1 ½ cup
- Whole wheat flour — 1 ½ cup
- Salt — ½ tablespoon
- Brown sugar — ⅓ cup
- Jam, any flavour — ¾ cup
- Cold butter — ¾ cup
- Cold water — 3 to 4 tablespoons
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 176°C and spray the baking sheet with a non-stick oil spray.
- Combine oats, flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor and pulse them properly.
- Add the butter and water and mix until the dough holds together.
- Put half of the dough in the baking tray and spread it using a spatula.
- Cover the dough with your preferred jam. Use a spatula for an even spread.
- Add the remaining dough on top of the jam and press it again.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the top turns golden brown.
- Let it cool before cutting into bars and then enjoy eating them.
It’s common to crave junk foods and snacks during pregnancy. However, eating too many processed foods can be harmful both for you and the baby. Therefore, prepare homemade snacks beforehand, so that when your hunger strikes, you have a number of delicious snack options ready to munch on.
