Pregnancy can be a stressful and uncertain time. Especially when you are thinking of what you can feed yourself and your baby that is going to be healthy and tasty. So, instead of reaching for the pickles and ice cream, you might want to give these recipes a whirl the next time your pregnancy cravings kick in.
1. No Bake Monster Cookie Energy Bites
We always want extra energy, but that seems to double when we are pregnant. Pop a couple of these snacks in the afternoon, and you’ll be able to get through the rest of your day unfazed.
Ingredients
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1/3 cup Honey
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1/2 cup Peanut butter
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1 1/2 cups Oat flakes, large
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1/4 cup Chocolate chips, mini
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1/2 tsp Vanilla
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1/4 cup M&m’s, mini
2. Pregnancy Superfood Smoothie
If you are having trouble keeping food down, why not try a drink? Smoothies can be very filling, and fewer calories than the other snacks we reach for first. Not to mention it takes less than 10 minutes to make!
Ingredients
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1 Banana, medium
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2 cups Raspberries, frozen
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1 cup Walnuts, raw unsalted
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3 cups Yogurt, plain full-fat
3. Chocolate Dipped Almond Butter Banana Bites
Love chocolate but don’t want to overeat it? This snack is your perfect solution. These babies are perfect to eat on the go or throughout the workday.
Ingredients
- Three large bananas
- ⅓ cup nut butter of choice
- ½ cup melted chocolate of choice
Instructions
- Slice bananas into slices about ¼-1/2 inch thick.
- Spread a little nut butter onto a slice and sandwich two slices together.
- Place on wax paper on a cookie sheet and freeze until solid, at least an hour.
- Melt chocolate in a double boiler and remove frozen banana bites from the freezer.
- Dip each banana bite in chocolate and place back on wax paper. Freeze for another hour.
- Transfer and keep in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
4. Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Once again, eat this tasty snack on the go, or in the privacy of your home. These ingredients are easy on your stomach and can help keep your sweet tooth in check.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 c. Old Fashioned oatmeal
- 2 1/4 c. flour
- 1 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 1 c. butter (2 sticks)
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 3 c. fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1/4 c. sugar
- 1 Tbsp. corn starch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a mixing bowl combine the oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, soda, and salt. Melt the butter, and pour over the oatmeal mixture. Mix until incorporated and crumbly. Press 2/3 of the oatmeal mixture into a 9×13 pan, saving the other 1/3 for the topping.
- In a separate bowl, combine the blueberries, sugar, and cornstarch. Mix until the blueberries are evenly coated with the sugar and corn starch. Pour over the bottom crust. Crumble the remaining oatmeal mixture over the blueberries. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely before cutting.
5. Zucchini Pizza Bites
Love pizza but not how bloated and gross it makes you feel? Then try these pizza bites. They are healthy and easy to make!
Ingredients
- Four slices large zucchini 1/4″ thick (or 1 medium zucchini cut on diagonal)
- olive oil spray (I used my Misto
- salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp quick marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
Instructions
Cut zucchini about 1/4 inch thick. Spray both sides lightly with oil and season with salt and pepper. Broil or grill the zucchini for about 2 minutes on each side. Top with sauce and cheese and broil for an additional minute or two. (Careful not to burn cheese)
As you can see, there are so many options out there for healthy pregnancy snacks. I hope that these treats can help reenergize you as you move through your pregnancy!
For more pregnancy tips, check out our guide to the third trimester.