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Snack Foods to Enjoy While Pregnant

Posted on 22/08/2012 in Pregnancy & Baby & Well-Being


During the exciting time of pregnancy, you may focus more on nutrition than ever before. While the phrase ‘eating for two’ has been used to justify the increased food intake of many pregnant women, we now know that it is not necessary for women to consume excessive amounts of calories or nutrient-deficient foods and that it is far more beneficial to eat a variety of healthy, nutritious foods.

Pregnancy: a time of planning… from maternity wear to baby travel systems and a healthy, balanced diet…

Just as pregnant women plan and organise a nursery, a pram, a wardrobe of maternity wear, maternity swimwear and nursing wear, and all other things that a baby and expectant mother needs, they need to devote attention to a healthy, balanced diet that will benefit their own health and that of their baby.

The good news is that eating a nutritious diet does not have to be arduous, difficult or boring. To the contrary, many delicious, fresh foods are highly nutritious and perfect for the mother-to-be and her baby.

Snacks:

Snacks are an important part of the diet, and this is especially true for expectant mothers. Research has shown that, in order to nurture a healthy baby, a pregnant mother usually needs one extra snack per day.

Snacks are also important for pregnant women, as a growing baby can take up significant space in the abdomen, resulting in smaller meals being needed and preferred. Snacks and smaller portion sizes can definitely be of benefit by delivering all of your nutritional needs and helping you find the energy required to make it through the day.

So, what are some of the different snacks that deliver a nutritional boost?

  • Protein: Snacks that include protein are a good choice because protein facilitates the healthy growth of cells and can help pregnant women to overcome feelings of tiredness and nausea. Protein comes in many forms, including meat, nuts, cheese and eggs.
  • Dairy foods: Single servings of yoghurt, smoothies and cottage cheese make a great choice of snack and provide calcium as well as a range of many other nutrients.
  • Crackers and cheese: This snack option provides protein and fibre and, when whole-grain crackers are chosen, this snack is all the more nutritious and satisfying.
  • Nuts: Nuts are portable and are always easy to have on hand, as they require no refrigeration or preparation. A wonderful source of protein, there are many tasty varieties of nut that can be eaten as a snack.
  • Fresh fruit: It is very easy to grab pieces of fresh fruit and take them with you for consumption throughout the day. Fresh fruit is nutritious and delicious, requires no preparation or thought and is readily available at stores and markets.
  • Hard-boiled eggs: One of the greatest advantages of hard-boiled eggs is that they are compact and easily transported. They represent a quick, easy snack and great source of protein. Hard-boiled eggs are even thought to help alleviate symptoms of morning sickness.
  • Dips and crudités: Enjoying some cut-up vegetables with healthy, nutritious dips (such as hummus, bean-based dips or guacamole) provides a fantastic snack. Carrot, celery, cucumber and capsicum are perfect for cutting into sticks, but other vegetables, such as broccoli, go fabulously well with these dips.

Eating a healthy and nutritious diet is important during pregnancy, and there are many different snack foods a woman can consume for the benefit of her own health and that of her baby. The best snack foods are easy to prepare and portable, so that they can be enjoyed (and satisfy the hunger of a pregnant woman) at any time or place.


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