Food, Parenting

Healthy snacks for when you’re pregnant

May 14, 2015

When I’m pregnant, I get HUNGRY and it’s a very different kind of hunger – an ‘if I don’t eat right now I might keel over’ sort of hungry. I also get hungry for very specific things, namely carbs and sugar. I’ve learnt to accept that the first trimester is a write-off nutrition-wise and generally eat whatever will keep the nausea at bay (see sugar and carbs, above). However, by the second trimester I like to try to reign myself in a bit.

Healthy pregnancy snack ideas

You see, although there are differing opinions on this front, the scientific consensus is that you don’t actually need to eat many extra calories when you’re pregnant. Obviously, I expect to gain some weight when I’m pregnant and that’s fine, but I’d rather try to eat sensibly in the hope that I won’t gain too many surplus pounds. Plus, I just feel better when I’m eating plenty of fruit, veg and good things. Not forgetting that I want to make sure the baby I’m growing is getting everything it needs too.

While I try to eat three healthy meals a day, most days I do need a little snack (or two) in between and there are a few healthy options that I try to keep nearby so that if I have a hunger attack, I don’t end up eating a chocolate bar. Just to be clear, this is very much a best-case scenario; I’d say I only actually eat like this about 50% of the time at the moment, but I keep trying! Also, these snacks are of course suitable for people who aren’t pregnant as well. 🙂

Fruit

Normally, I try not to eat too much fruit as it’s very sugary. But I figure it’s better to eat fruit than a pastry – plus I find it really satisfies a sweet craving. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I love really juicy fruits when I’m pregnant – right now I can’t wait for peaches and watermelons to come into season. Another great snack is peanut butter (or my favourite, almond butter) spread onto apple slices.

Yoghurt

I like to eat half a sliced banana or a handful of blueberries, some Greek yoghurt and a handful of granola as a substitute for biscuits during that afternoon slump when the snack cravings threaten to take over.

Avocado toast

Toast is not that healthy, but sometimes you just need it and it’s much better with some mashed avocado on top. Even better with a fried egg, too. 🙂

Hummus and oat cakes

This is a good snack for work because you can buy those individual packets that contain five or so biscuits. Carrot/pepper/cucumber sticks with hummus would be an even more virtuous snack, but that never really cuts it for me!

Nuts

Always good to have in your bag for an emergency. Tesco do little bags of roasted nuts that are amazing.

Smoothies

green smoothie

I’ve relied on smoothies heavily during this pregnancy so far, making one whenever I need a healthy boost or feel I’ve been overdoing it with the toast and fried eggs. In fact, I’ve drank so many smoothies recently that at the moment I can’t stomach them! However I still really like this blueberry and oat one. If a green smoothie is called for, this is my go-to recipe. And this creamy chai breakfast smoothie is still on my list to try.

Do you get crazy hungry when you’re pregnant or not so much? What are your go-to healthy snacks?

P.S. Easy pork burritos that are perfect on a Friday night instead of a takeaway, a healthy and super-quick chickpea and chorizo stew, and tips for eating healthily at work.

Mums' Days
Did you know we’re social?
Come find us on Twitter, Facebook and Bloglovin'

You Might Also Like

8 Comments

  • nona_ahamat@yahoo.co.uk'
    Reply Yasmin May 14, 2015 at 12:35 pm

    This is a reassuring post! I am seven weeks pregnant and have been surprised/disappointed by the sudden emergence of a voracious sweet tooth (E.g – I had a big bowl of cereal for dinner last night). I should make more effort to have healthy stuff to hand, and your suggestions are a great place to start. X

    • Reply Rachel May 17, 2015 at 8:39 pm

      Ah yes, the sweet tooth! What has surprised me the most is the craving for sweet drinks – I bought a can of Diet coke, something I NEVER do.

  • eimear.hutchinson@gmail.com'
    Reply Eimear May 15, 2015 at 7:59 am

    Big fan of smoothies myself, every since I got the nutribullet we have them regularily! #thelist

    • Reply Rachel May 17, 2015 at 8:38 pm

      I want a Nutribullet so bad!

  • mumsmakelists@gmail.com'
    Reply Alice May 16, 2015 at 5:24 am

    Great list – can just never ever enough oat cakes, I love Nairns. And great to discover more SE Londoners, I’m in Herne Hill. #TheList

  • youbabymemummy@gmail.com'
    Reply You Baby Me Mummy May 17, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    I love smoothies and felt the same as you during pregnancy, starving! Thanks so much for linking up to #TheList x

  • sarahboocock@gmail.com'
    Reply Sarah Howe (@RunJumpScrap) May 18, 2015 at 1:00 pm

    Great post! I think these are the sort of things I eat now even when not pregnant! Love nuts especially almonds xx #maternitymondays

  • news_from_emma@yahoo.co.uk'
    Reply Farmerswifeandmummy May 18, 2015 at 8:16 pm

    Toast isn’t healthy you say???? Gutted. We love toast here, pregnant or not 🙂

  • Leave a Reply to Rachel Cancel Reply