Many people tend to view pregnancy as a calorie “free for all” where indulging one’s sweet tooth is seen as harmless, and even somewhat necessary. However, that mentality is completely false. Pregnancy can significantly increase one’s appetite, yet the extra allowance of required calories is actually quite limited. In other words, pregnant women will have to contend with feeling hungry all of the time, while avoiding continually overindulging in their cravings.
Who said that life was fair? To help keep calories at bay while simultaneously providing mom and growing baby with nourishment, try including these 10 best pregnancy snacks into your diet:
1. Apples and cheese
Apples and cheese are a great snack for expecting mothers. This is because pregnant women often lack fiber, and apples are a great source of it. As well, calcium is very important for the baby’s healthy bone development. This makes cheese a great pregnancy snack. Who could argue with delicious food that is also good for you?
2. Eggs
Eggs are fantastic pregnancy snacks. Eggs are rich with vitamin D and protein, which will support the development of the baby’s bones and immune system. The most important thing to remember when cooking eggs is that they must be fully cooked. Raw or partially raw eggs can increase the risk of the mother contracting a foodborne illness which could be very harmful to the baby. To increase the benefit of eggs, consider adding them to whole wheat or multi-grain toast. Talk about a double whammy!
3. Nuts
Nuts are a great source of healthy fats, as well as vitamin D, calcium and magnesium, all of which are vital for the baby’s growing development. Nuts also make for wonderful pregnancy snacks as they help you feel fuller for longer. Next time you need a snack before dinner, consider eating some nuts to tide you over.
4. Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt has become the superstar of all yogurts, and this is for a good reason. Greek yogurts consist of a high protein concentration, lots of calcium, as well as probiotics. Most importantly, Greek yogurts have a creamy thick texture which is absolutely delicious. This makes it no surprise that Greek yogurt is a great snack choice for pregnant women. These are the best pregnancy snacks for improving your overall fertility and health.
5. Avocado
Avocado is a superfood that pregnant women should get acquainted with, as it is packed with healthy fats, fiber, and various vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin E, C, K, potassium and copper. Avocado is also able to flush excess sodium from the body, which is useful for pregnant women who are feeling bloated and are prone to swelling due to high sodium intake.
6. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a pregnant woman’s best friend. Cottage cheese is jam packed with protein and probiotics. The best pregnancy snacks can be easily blended with a range of foods to create new and exciting flavours. For instance, mixing mango with cottage cheese will create a fantastic boost of vitamin B, which is pivotal for the baby’s spinal cord development.
7. Hummus
Hummus is a delicious and nutritious snack with many benefits for both mom and baby. Hummus is low in fat, but is jam-packed with protein. It also provides a healthy serving of fiber, which helps maintain your gastrointestinal health throughout your pregnancy. This is extremely important as pregnancy can wreak havoc on your digestion!
8. Edamame
Edamame is a great protein and fiber booster, which makes it a fantastic snack throughout pregnancy. The only word of caution for edamame is to watch out for the salt. A liberal use of salt can drastically increase mama’s sodium levels, which is unhealthy for both baby and mom.
9. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is like the chameleon of pregnancy snacks, as it can easily take on any flavour. Throw in apples and cinnamon for a refreshing breakfast or snack, or perhaps cut up some peaches and honey for an afternoon treat. Oatmeal is full of fiber and antioxidants, and it can even lower harmful cholesterol and blood sugar. The superhero of pregnancy snacks!
10. Seaweed (nori)
Last but definitely not least is seaweed. Seaweed is both fun to eat and incredibly nutritious. Seaweed contains nutrients which boost iron function, as well as various vitamins such as vitamins A, C, E and K. Most importantly, nori is incredibly versatile as it can be eaten on its own, or even sprinkled on salads, rice dishes, or on fish.
They say that pregnancy is a magical time in one’s life, and indeed it is. However, figuring out what foods to snack on can be a challenge, particularly as the pregnancy cravings get ahead of you. The most important thing to keep in mind is balance, whereby you maintain a healthy pregnancy diet, but also treat yourself every so often.
