Nutrition plays a huge role when you are pregnant. From regular meals to satiating snacks, you must be extra careful of what you put into your body, especially during this time. To help you with the same, we have created a list of 8 healthy snacks for pregnancy you can munch on without feeling guilty!
During the initial weeks of pregnancy, you might not be able to eat full meals because of all nausea and vomiting. In that case, you can switch to healthy snacking to fill up your nutrition levels. Some essential nutrients you might need around this time are protein, folate, vitamin D, calcium, DHA (omega-3 fats), iodine and iron.
Also, mindlessly consuming unhealthy snacks (especially those readily available in supermarkets) can make you gain excess weight and cause other health problems later in the pregnancy.
So, instead of going for unhealthy snacks, take cues from this list of healthy snacks for pregnancy you can easily prepare at home.
1. Scrambled eggs on Toast
Eggs are an excellent source of protein and contain good amounts of vitamin D too. Vitamin D helps in calcium absorption and is extremely crucial during pregnancy. A pregnant woman needs 600 IU of vitamin D daily.
Scrambled eggs on toast are a perfect mid-morning snack when you still feel hungry after having breakfast. Toast a multigrain bread and layer it up with scrambled eggs on top.
2. Veggie strips with Yogurt
Yogurt is a good source of protein and calcium and contains probiotics, promoting a healthy gut. To try something different when it comes to snacking, you can slice long strips of vegetables like peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus or cucumber and eat it with your favorite Greek yogurt.
3. Trail mix
If you’re bored of eating granola or muesli that you often buy from the supermarket, you can try making your own mix of nuts and seeds. The best part? You get to decide the quantity of every ingredient.
Pumpkin seeds, nuts, dried cranberries, and some dark chocolate chips can be mixed together to create a delicious trail mix. And you can munch on them whenever you feel hungry.
4. Roasted chickpeas
Chickpeas contain lots of protein, fiber and iron. Sprinkle some oregano, chilli flakes, salt and olive oil on boiled chickpeas and roast them in a microwave. You can even air-fry them for the best results. For working women, these are a perfect snack to carry to work.
5. Fruit with Nut butter
Do you have a hard time including fruits in your diet every day? It is essential to include at least one serving of fruits daily. So, try eating them with nut butter, for example, almond butter or peanut butter.
Check with your doctor to detect any peanut allergy before consuming peanut butter.
6. Yogurt parfait
Craving for something sweet and fancy? Prepare a yogurt parfait by layering your favorite yogurt with fresh fruits (of your choice) and topping it with granola or mixed nuts for some extra crunch!
Check out this yogurt parfait recipe.
7. Sweet potato chips
Sweet potatoes are a rich source of healthy fibers and the best alternative to potatoes. They also have beta-carotene, a highly essential vitamin for healthy fetal development.
Slice thin pieces of sweet potatoes and air fry them. Finish it by sprinkling some Italian seasoning and salt!
8. Oats porridge with walnuts & raisins
Walnuts contain high amounts of omega-3 fats, which are essential for a baby’s healthy brain development. If you are not fond of eating them as it is, you can mix them with overnight-soaked oats and top them with some raisins for a good-to-go healthy snack!
Also read: 5 foods to increase fertility