Pregnancy is undoubtedly one of the most exhilarating, yet stressful periods of a woman’s life. The experience of giving birth to a new human being is unparalleled and therefore, difficult to understand in many ways. One of the primary things that are to be taken into consideration is the food consumed by the expectant woman. The reason why it is extremely important to regulate the diet of a pregnant woman is that along with her health, it fosters the growth and health of the unborn fetus. One significant feature of this period is the untimely cravings for different kinds of food items.
Pregnant women go through a whirlwind of hormonal changes, and that affects their mood, their cravings and their overall behavior in general. In this article, 51 quick snack recipes are listed. These recipes, as it can be seen from the name, are snacks, easy to make and can be consumed whenever the craving kicks in. They can easily be prepared by any person taking care of the mother, or by the mother herself, provided she is in good health and not under any kind of stressful situation. Here are the snack recipes, listed below-
51 Best Snack Recipes for Pregnant Women
MIXED FRUIT SALAD:
It
is to be noted that certain fruits, which might trigger dehydration or early labor should be avoided during this period. Fruits like papaya, pineapple and grapes are to be avoided or taken ONLY under the supervision of the gynecologist.
Other than that, depending on the health of the mother, her history of allergies and her likes and dislikes, a healthy bowl of mixed fruit salad can be prepared. The link for one such healthy recipe is given below- Hawaiian Fresh Fruit Salad
FRUIT SMOOTHIES:
Fruit smoothies are not only easy to make, but they are loaded with the b
oth taste and nutrition, so that makes them perfect for quick fixes! To be honest, any fruit from the safe list can be used in a fruit smoothie, depending on what the expectant mother likes. Below is the link for a list of easy-to-make fruit recipes, which can be made any time of the day! (Banana Berry Delight)
FRUIT PORRIDGE:
Fruit porridge is not only healthy, but perfect for a light, yet filling breakfast. You can use oats or any healthy cereal along with fruit in this dish.
YOGURT WITH FRUIT:
Probiotic yogurt, mixed with fresh
fruits can be prepared anytime, and serves the purpose of a quick, easy snack. Its had all the Vitamins and Minerals required for a healthy Pregnancy
GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICH:
Grilling always uses less oil than frying, so a grilled chicken sandwich is a good snack option as it is a healthy source of carbohydrates, healthy fats and lean protein.
(Healthy grilled Chicken Sandwich)
GRILLED VEGETABLE SANDWICH:
For vegetarians or those, who don’t like meat, grilled vegetable sandwich is a good option. There are many ways to make a vegetable sandwich, but the recipe given below is a unique one, one that tries to combine both nutrition and taste. (Healthy grilled vegetable sandwich)
GRILLED SALMON:
Fishes with high mercury content should be avoided by pregnant women, but salmon contains the lowest level of mercury in all fishes and therefore, fit for consumption.
TOMATO TOAST WITH SARDINE AND MINT:
Sardines are another healthy source of fatty omega-3 acids. This recipe is very easy to make and is loaded with both taste and nutrients. (Tomato Toast with sardine and mint)
GARLIC LEMON SCALLOPS:
Scallops, if cooked properly and consumed in moderation, serve the purpose of a healthy and tasty snac
k. Below is the recipe of Garlic lemon Scallops
TILAPIA FISH TACOS:
Tacos are a healthy source of nutrients, and these tilapia fish tacos are perfect for those untimely pregnancy cravings.
SAUTEED CALAMARI WITH GARLIC AND PARSLEY:
The English name for squid is calamari, which is an excellent source of protein that is beneficial for both the mother and the baby. Below is a lip smacking recipe of calamari, which is also easy to make!
Sautéed calamari with parsley and garlic
BAKED SHRIMP IN LEMONY GARLIC SAUCE:
Shrimp is healthy seafood with low levels of mercury and is therefore good for pregnant women. This recipe is baked and can be prepared in a jiffy!
Baked Shrimp in Lemony Garlic Sauce
HARD BOILED EGGS:
This is probably the easiest snack to make, as the ingredients are readily available and almost zero effort is required to prepare it. Eggs are beneficial for pregnant women, as they are a rich source of iron and protein.
(Hard Boiled Eggs)
POACHED EGGS:
Another healthy way to consume eggs is to poach them. Poached eggs can be consumed with toast or anything that the expectant mother likes.
(Poached Eggs)
POHA:
Poha is a healthy Indian snack made of vegetables and flattened rice (chidwa). It is one of the healthiest, yet tastiest Indian snacks, and is nutritious and filling. Expecting mothers can have this without any guilt.
(Poha)
MIXED VEGETABLE SALAD:
It is another healthy and filling dish for pregnant women. Add 8 ounces of mixed vegetables and 1 can of red beans, drained and rinsed. Add chopped onions, celery and green bell pepper. Add 3/4 cup of white sugar, 1 tsp of prepared mustard and 1 tsp of all-purpose flour. First mix all the veggies in a mixing bowl and later in a small sauce pan, combine vinegar, sugar, mustard and flour. Bring to boil, remove from heat and set aside to cool.
CARROT FINGERS WITH HUMMUS/RANCH DRESSING:
Carrots are a great source of vitamin A and therefore when served with hummus or ranch, prove to be a perfect snack.
(Carrot Fingers)
HEALTHY MILKSHAKES:
Pregnant women need a lot of calcium for their as well as for the baby’s developing bone structure. Plain milk might be despised by a lot of people, but milkshakes are loved by everyone! Below is a link to healthy milkshake recipes, that won’t leave you feeling guilty about treating yourself.
https://www.prevention.com/food/homemade-healthy-milkshakes
HEALTHIER DOUBLE TOMATO BRUSCHETTA RECIPE:
Bruschetta can easily be classified as a healthy, yet delicious starter. Below is the link to such a healthy bruschetta recipe-
AVOCADO AND EGG BREAKFAST PIZZA:
Avocados are highly recommended during pregnancy as they are known to prevent certain birth defects. Below is a yummy recipe, which includes avocados in the form of a yummy pizza recipe.
Avacado and Egg Breakfast Pizza
WHOLE WHEAT PASTA WITH KALE AND ROAST CHICKEN:
Kale is a dark and leafy vegetable, which is loaded with vitamins. Below is the link to a delicious pasta recipe, which has kale as a chief ingredient.
Whole Wheat Pasta with Kale and Roast Chicken
QUINOA PANCAKES:
Here is how you can make healthy pancakes with quinoa.
SPINACH SOUP RECIPE:
Spinach has many uses while you are pregnant. Here is how you can make spinach soup.
CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP:
https://www.asweetpeachef.com/cream-of-tomato-soup-recipe/
COTTAGE CHEESE SANDWICH WITH AVOCADO:
Have more healthy nutrients with cottage cheese sandwich filled with avacado.
CAESAR SALAD:
Arguably the most renowned green salad of all time, this legendary preparation has many healthy variations, perfect for a healthy yet delicious meal.
TOMATO BASIL SOUP:
A slight variation on what is certainly the most famous soup of all time, this homely preparation is perfect for chilly evenings, colds, and is nourishing refreshment.
SUNOMONO (JAPANESE CUCUMBER SALAD):
A decidedly soothing concoction of cucumbers and sesame seeds, not only does this work perfectly as a standalone healthy dish, it can also be paired with other white meats as well for added taste while retaining its beneficial properties.
Japanese Cucumber Salad
THAI NOODLE SOUP:
A regular chicken noodle soup but with a distinctive Pan-Asian flavor, this lenitive dish must be taken piping hot. It balances taste and health superbly well.
MASSAGED KALE SALAD:
A green salad increasingly gaining prominence as a go-to healthy option, this preparation combines the green goodness of kale with a slight tanginess and saltiness to the mixture.
POTAGE MONGOL (SPLIT-PEA AND TOMATO SOUP):
This French soup is the classic Potage Mongol, an exceedingly simple, deceptively delicious, and undoubtedly healthy combination of canned ingredients to prepare, whose vintage aftertaste remains long after it has been happily consumed.
LAHPET THOKE (BURMESE TEA LEAF SALAD):
A salad that gives off a deliciously crunchy and coarse vibe while possessing a tangy flavor, this green salad from the shores of modern-day Myanmar proves to be a highly wholesome snack.
Burmese Tea Leaf Salad
EGG DROP SOUP:
Needing only rudimentary cooking skills, this scrumptious soup has all the warmth of a perfect soup combined with dollops of eggy goodness.
GREEN BEAN AND SHALLOT SALAD:
This salad accomplishes the seemingly impossible— makes a conventionally boring but healthy ingredient such as green beans taste really appetizing, by combining it with shallots, resulting in a fantastic meal.
MOROCCAN CARROT SOUP:
This carrot soup is creamy and tasty, two things we wouldn’t ordinarily associate with a healthy soup. But this isn’t an ordinary soup. The Moroccan Carrot Soup ably incorporates North African influences with a lip-smacking dish.
CITRUS NAPA CABBAGE SALAD:
This salad utilizes easy-to-cut navel oranges along with the delectably bitter napa cabbage as a novel source of protein, balanced by the sweetness of the clementine vinaigrette and pomegranate seeds. The result is a thoroughly unique blend of tastes in a flavorful recipe.
CHICKEN AND CHARD PASTA FAGIOLI:
This soup is a twist on the classic pasta fagioli dish, utilizing shredded chicken as an accompaniment to the creamy and filling snack.
Chicken and Chard Pasta Fagioli
GINGER SALAD:
As the name suggests, the salad relies heavily on the distinctive taste of ginger combined with lemon, vinegar, lettuce, and black pepper, among others, to bring forth a quirky but healthy taste to the dish.
CHICKEN ZOODLE SOUP:
Lighter and fresher than its original and approximate namesake, the evergreen chicken noodle soup, this recipe uses zucchini and carrot noodles instead of the tried-and-tested pasta noodles to impart a healthier flavor.
CARROT PEANUT NOODLE SALAD:
The unabashedly eccentric look of this salad is caused by this salad’s use of spiraled carrots instead of traditional noodles. The peanut butter gives it a creamy texture while the herbs lend an earthy and minty touch.
CURRIED CAULIFLOWER RICE KALE SOUP:
Much like its rather long name, the soup itself proves to be a mouthful, and a delicious one at that. By using cauliflower ‘rice’, the soup cuts on calories but does not compromise on taste in the slightest.
Curried Cauliflower Rice Kale Soup
SESAME GINGER CHICKEN SALAD:
Owing its appearance to the distinctive sesame seeds sprinkled on top, this salad combines a uniquely marinated chicken with lots of veggies to get the job done.
ISPANAKLI BULGUR CORBASI (LENTIL, BULGUR, AND SPINACH SOUP):
This mesmerizing Turkish soup combines multiple fiber-rich ingredients for a dish that is both savory in taste, and stunning to look at, in all its crimson glory.
Lentil, Bulgur, and Spinach Soup
HORIATIKI SALATA (GREEK SALAD):
The traditional Greek salad is another well-known fare amongst the denizens of the salad world. Fresh ingredients are crucial in the dish’s success which is topped off with the distinctive feta cheese.
OATS AND RAJMA CUTLET:
Two super foods coming together in this delicious snack!
SHAKSHUKA OATS RECIPE:
The original Lebanese dish with a healthy twist! Perfect got those egg-licious cravings.
CLASSIC MASALA OATS DOSA:
Dosa with a twist!
IDLIS:
This classic South Indian snack is perfect for untimely cravings and is as healthy as a yummy snack can be.
UPMA:
Upma is the best and easy recipe to make. You can add veggies which you like and can give it a little twist.
GRANOLA BARS:
Sweet cravings are synonymous with all age groups, so how are pregnant women exempted from it? Not only are granola bars high on energy, they serve the purpose of a healthy, yet tasty dessert too.
ICE-CREAMS:
Ah, here comes the best part! Enough of healthy talk, pregnant women should obviously let go of the regulations and treat themselves to one or two scoops of ice-cream at times!
It is to be noted that all these recipes have been jotted in this list after extensive research; however, it is always advisable to consult the gynecologist before going for any kind of diet.
Check out more health recipes here:
22 Healthy Smoothies for Kids: Recipes and Health Benefits
21 Must Try Homemade Coconut Recipes for your Child
