Lucy’s Top Tips for Healthy Snacks in Pregnancy

An article by Lucy Howlett    No Comments

I’m delighted to now be 13 weeks pregnant with my first baby. After specialising in pregnancy and post-natal exercise for a few years now, over the last three months I’ve been learning, first-hand, how it feels to get through each day feeling a little bit sick and a lot more tired. I really feel for those who are physically throwing up day after day.

I’d like to share with you my healthy food practice tips and good snacks to keep you going and stop you reaching for cake whenever a pang of hunger strikes. — Personally I get hungry every couple of hours at the moment.

1. Firstly, start your day with a wholesome, nutritious breakfast always including protein.

I always start the day with a small bowl of porridge; made up of oats, water and a little almond milk plus some hulled hemp seeds stirred in for extra protein.

2. Always take snacks with you for a healthy energy boost on the go.

When out and about, it’s not always easy to find something to realistically and sensibly satisfy your nutritional needs (i.e. not a flapjack, a donut, bread roll, etc.). I therefore make sure I’ve always got a filling source of protein and sugar in my bag. This is either a banana and some mixed nuts or a protein bar. Bounce Foods and

Pulsin’ do some really nice bars. You can get both from Infinity Foods but it might be good to buy a box online, like I do, to stock up and economise.

3. Make your own bars/snacks for greater freshness. It is fun and something to do with the little ones.

If you have time and fancy making your own, you could make some protein/energy balls using these recipes below. Pop a couple in a little Tupperware and you’re sorted for an energy top up when you need it. Here are some banana and coconut protein balls that I made.

Energy Bars from Ohsheglows.com

Raw recipes from Pure People Nutrition

A range of sweet and savoury 5-minute snacks that are sugar- and wheat-free

4. Love and respect your body.

Since becoming pregnant and being even more aware of what I comsume, I’ve also been making more raw delights. Inspired by Sarah Barber of Pure People Nutrition, I’ve made raw tiffin with dried cherries and raw buckwheat crunchies instead of biscuits. With natural, nutrient rich, living ingredients you are doing great things for yourself and your growing baby. There is SO much to be said for eating healthy, simple, fresh, unprocessed food during your pregnancy — and other wise. Food really is thy medicine so let it help you feel and function the best you can.

My next feature, out in two weeks, is about exercise — so stay tuned for that!