15 Healthy Snacks for Pregnancy
15 Healthy Snacks for Pregnancy
Eat nutrient-packed healthy snacks during pregnancy for the healthy development of your baby. Your body needs extra calories during pregnancy in order to nurture your baby. Choosing healthy snacks during pregnancy is very essential as it helps to provide essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that are needed for the proper growth and development of your baby. Add the following healthy snacks during pregnancy to get proper nutrients.
1. Dried Fruits and Nuts
Dried Fruits and Nuts are loaded with vital vitamins and minerals and helps to meet your nutritional needs during pregnancy. Nuts are a rich source of protein and iron which are beneficial for a pregnant woman and her baby. Iron helps in the formation of red blood cells and prevents anemia during pregnancy. Nuts are high in fiber which prevents constipation the problem that is faced by most women during their pregnancy phase. Dried Fruits and Nuts also contain calcium which is essential for the formation of a baby's teeth and bones as well as to reduce the risk of hypertension and preeclampsia during pregnancy. Avoid excess eating of dried fruits and nuts during pregnancy as they are high in fats and calories. Eat a handful of dried fruits and nuts in a day is enough to get the proper nutrition during pregnancy.2. Sprouts
Sprouts are one of the best nutrient-packed healthy snacks to eat during pregnancy. You can eat sprouts raw in a salad or you can also put them in the soup. Sprouts are a good source of iron and fiber. Iron helps in the formation of red blood cells and fiber helps in reducing the problem of constipation and aids digestion during pregnancy. You can eat cooked sprouts during pregnancy as they are highly nutritious but avoid eating raw sprouts as they are not considered safe to eat during pregnancy.3. Whole Grain Cereals
Whole Grain Cereals contain vitamins, minerals, protein, iron, folic acid, and dietary fiber. Iron is needed for the formation of red blood cells and folate is needed to prevent neural birth defects such as Spina Bifida. Dietary fiber helps in preventing the problem of constipation hence aids digestion. Whole Grain Cereals and Whole Grain Bread contain more fiber and iron than white bread and rice. Adding them to your pregnancy diet is a good idea to get essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
(Also read: Is Seafood safe to eat during pregnancy?)
4. Popcorn
Popcorn is a whole grain that contains essential vitamins, minerals, fiber which are needed during pregnancy. It contains zinc, protein, selenium, and vitamin E. Selenium present in the popcorns helps in preventing premature delivery. Vitamin E helps in fighting free radicals and it also helps in the healthy and proper growth of the fetus. Popcorn is a healthy snack to eat during pregnancy as it is high in fiber and low in calories hence reduces the risk of excess weight gain during pregnancy. Popcorn helps in regulating the levels of blood sugar and insulin thus helps in preventing the risk of gestational diabetes during pregnancy. The high content of protein in popcorns helps in the supply of amino acids to the body.
5. Avocados
Avocados contain a high content of folate. It contains folate more than the other fruits which help to prevent neural tube defects in babies. It is also a good source of fiber, iron, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, and potassium. Avocados are a rich source of Choline which is essential for the development of the baby's brain and nervous system. Avocados contain healthy fatty acids that help in the baby's skin and tissue development. Potassium present in Avocados helps in relieving leg cramps which are faced by most women during pregnancy.
6. Apples
Apples are loaded with essential nutrients that are needed during pregnancy. Apples are a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Potassium. Insoluble fiber helps in preventing constipation while soluble fiber helps in lowering cholesterol. Apples are highly nutritious and also contain phytonutrients and antioxidants. Apples are also a good source of iron which helps in boosting the level of hemoglobin in the blood and reduce the risk of having anemia during pregnancy. Consuming apples during pregnancy is very beneficial as it reduces the risks of developing childhood asthma and other allergic diseases in babies.7. Boiled Eggs
Eggs are loaded with protein, calcium, vitamin A. The white part of the boiled eggs are high in protein and the yolk (yellowish part) is full of vital nutrients such as choline, folate. Choline is essential for the development of the baby's brain and nervous system while folate is essential to prevent neural tube defects.
(Also read: Foods you must avoid during pregnancy)
8. Oatmeal
You can eat oatmeal not only in the morning but at any time of the day. Oatmeal contains soluble fiber which helps in lowering cholesterol. Topped your oatmeal with nuts and raisins and make it a healthy nutritious snack to eat during pregnancy.
9. Smoothies
Don't buy smoothies from markets as they are high in sugar and low in fruits. You can make smoothies at home also by adding fruit of your choice in yogurt or milk. This smoothie will make a great healthy and nutritious snack to consume during pregnancy. And you'll get essential nutrients from this homemade smoothie.
10. Yogurt
Yogurt contains high calcium content than milk and is fully loaded with protein and calcium which are essential for the development of your baby. Calcium helps in developing strong teeth and bones of your baby. Always choose low-fat yogurt or non-fat yogurt. You can add yogurt with fruits to make healthy and delicious smoothies and yogurt with cereals to get essential nutrients during pregnancy. This will make a great, delicious, and healthy snack to eat during pregnancy.11. Fresh Fruits
Fresh Fruits contain all the essential nutrients, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for a baby's development during pregnancy. A bowl of fresh fruits not only satisfies your hunger but provides essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that your body needed during pregnancy. Consuming fruits is one of the healthiest ways to satisfies your hunger during pregnancy. Pick seasonal fruits and add them to your pregnancy diet.
(Also read: Healthy Fruits to eat during pregnancy)
12. Berries
Berries are a sweet and healthy snack. Berries are a good source of Vitamins, carbohydrates, fiber, and folate. It is a rich source of Vitamin C which helps the body to absorb iron and iron helps in the formation of red blood cells. Berries have also a high content of fiber which helps fight constipation and aids digestion. To get all the essential nutrients and carbohydrates add berries to your pregnancy diet.
13. Chickpeas
Chickpeas are healthy snacks that are high in protein, calcium, iron, omega 3 fatty acids, and are easy to digest. Add freshly chopped vegetables such as coriander, tomatoes, cucumber, carrot, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, or capsicum in your boiled chickpeas. This will make a great healthy snack to eat during pregnancy.14. Roasted Gram
Roasted gram is a rich source of protein. It is a rich source of fiber, omega 3 fatty acids, and iron. Roasted gram is very rich in fiber, iron, and low in calories. Eating roasted grams during pregnancy helps in boosting immunity and in balancing blood sugar hence reduces the risk of gestational diabetes.
(Also read: Risks of High BP during pregnancy)
15. Salads
Eating salads during pregnancy is very beneficial for both the mother and her baby. You can make different varieties of salads such as fruit salad, veggies salad, legumes salad, bean salad, meat salad, seafood salad, etc. All these salads provide essential nutrients that are needed during pregnancy for the healthy development of the fetus.Talk to your doctor before adding any food or snacks to your pregnancy diet. Best wishes to you. Enjoy your pregnancy phase. Have a happy and safe pregnancy.
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