Pregnancy Stages - How Your Body Changes During Each Trimester?

By Author: Darfashan Parveen
Total Articles: 5
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Even though you don't need to eat for two during pregnancy, you might have noticed that your appetite has increased after becoming pregnant. You can't fit in the same size meals as before pregnancy, and you need to snack a lot more frequently to stay healthy and get your fill of essential nutrients.

If you're craving something sweet, salty, or crunchy, try these 12 nutrient-dense quick, and healthy pregnancy snacks to keep your hunger pangs at bay. The best thing about these nourishing snacks is that all of them are vegetarian!

#Fresh Seasonal Fruits

Whether they are fresh, dried, or frozen, all seasonal fruits make a great snack during pregnancy. Being rich in fiber and nutrients, they help keep hunger pangs at bay. Citrus fruits, such as carambola, oranges, and grapefruits, are filled with plenty of water and vitamin C, allowing you to absorb the much-needed iron. Keep a bowl of fresh seasonal fruits on the dining table. Eat a few ones whenever hunger strikes. You can even try a delicious fruit salad or chaat!

#Oatmeal

Load up on protein and fiber! Oatmeal is great for your digestive system ...
... and keeps you fuller longer. They are also known to lower cholesterol. Make a pan full of blueberry baked oatmeal, and you can use it as breakfast or snack throughout the week. You can also bake oatmeal and bananas together to make a delicious healthy snack full of texture and flavor.

#Sprouts

Sprouts are a nutrient-rich snack full of iron, fiber, and omega-3-6-9 fatty acids, which helps stabilize your blood sugar levels. Add them to raita, eat them raw in a salad, or put them in paranthas or soups – the choice is yours! Top with olive oil or your favorite cheese for natural energy-filled snacks.

#Smoothies

Thick, creamy, and sweet - smoothies give you the satisfaction of slurping up a milkshake without extra calories. Vegetable smoothies made with milk or yogurt are a great way to increase your intake of dairy foods during pregnancy; on the other hand, fruit smoothies with milk make for a delicious and refreshing snack packed with calcium, vitamin C, and antioxidants. You can also make them with soy or cow milk, known to keep blood glucose levels stable.

#Poha

Like puffed rice (murmura or chivda), flattened rice (poha) can also be a nutritious snack with chopped veggies, such as beans, tomatoes, onions, carrots, radish, and roasted peanuts added in. They are a great way to settle an upset stomach. Sprinkle a few drops of lime juice for the taste and the vitamin C.

#Roasted Makhanas

When eaten plain, makhana is a great alternative to popcorn. They are a great source of calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, and vitamin-B complexes. All you have to do is mix them with little butter or ghee and lightly roast the mixture. Sprinkle some salt, chili powder, cumin powder, or any other seasoning for a nice flavor. The best thing about roasted makhanas is that you can store them for as long as 15 days.

#Curd with Almonds

Almonds are a great source of minerals, B vitamins, and proteins. One serving of a handful of almonds has about 6 grams of protein. On the other hand, the curd is high in calcium, protein, and natural probiotics that help you fight infection and diseases. An almond lassi or shrikhand is enough to take the edge off your hunger.

#Mixed Nuts, Seeds and Dried Fruits

Mix your favorite lightly salted nuts, seeds, and dried fruits for a fiber and iron boost. This is an easy on-the-go snack packed with magnesium, potassium, and vitamin E. The allergens found in nuts help build up your baby's immune defense system, and they keep you going for hours. Store the mixture in an easy to grab and go container!

#Masala Papad

Masala Papad is rich in vitamins and nutrients such as carbs, proteins, and fiber. Try urad dal papad (roasted papad) instead of fried ones that are not easy on the stomach. Mix chopped tomatoes, radish, cucumber, onion, and coriander leaves and spread the mixture evenly over the roasted papad. Sprinkle a little mango powder, chaat masala, and salt to spice up the snack.

#Carrot and Cucumber Sticks

Although it's not a very filling snack, it will keep you full until the next meal. If you have morning sickness, get a boost of energy through raw cucumber, carrot, and celery sticks. Spice up the ordinary sticks by dipping them in salsa, spicy or savory sauces, hummus, or hung curd based dips.

#Roasted Chana/Peanuts

Just like roasted makhana, roasted chana is a low-calorie snack that satisfies your hunger pangs without loading you with calories. It's an easy-to-carry snack packed with loads of fiber, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. Consume it with your favorite healthy, nutritious drinks.

#Chaat

Whether it's chickpea chaat, corn chaat, or sweet potato chaat, any chaat makes a delicious and nutritious snack for pregnant women. They are a great way to get fibers, minerals, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Make sure to sprinkle some chaat masala to jazz up your chaat.

Hope you find this article informative and helpful for you. You can visit WobblyWalk.com to get comfortable and trendy maternity wear or read more about pregnancy, parenting and baby care.

I’m Darfashan Parveen — A passionate blogger, having 7+ years of experience and currently associated with WobblyWalk.com. I love to read and write about Pregnancy, Parenting, and Baby Care to make people aware of parenthood challenges and easy ways to overcome them. Apart from Blogging, I’m a foodie who loves traveling and dancing.