12 HEALTHY (VEGAN) SNACKS FOR PREGNANCY

All three of my pregnancies have been so different but the one thing different about this pregnancy is that I actually have an appetite for semi healthy things.  When I was pregnant with Arrow and Harlow I could throw up at the thought of anything healthy but especially vegetables (Arrow’s lasted well into the third trimester).  With this baby, I am loving salads and veggies in certain forms.  Here is a list of some of my go-to healthy snacks that help me get what I need during pregnancy.  

I recall reading posts similar to this or seeing people eating super healthy during pregnancy and I was so frustrated I couldn’t even stomach the idea of something green.  So remember that each pregnancy is so different and it is so important not to put stress on yourself if it isn’t easy for you to eat healthy.  Now that I am able to eat some of my regular snacks I thought I would write them down so you could reference them for some easy ideas:

1.  Whole wheat pita, cucumbers and tomatoes.  This is so easy to throw together and provides you with a good snack.  You can stuff the pita with the hummus and veggies or eat them all separately.

2. Whole wheat toast with smashed avocado, hemp hearts and sliced tomatoes. 

3. Peanut butter and toast with bananas.  A little secret trick of when I want something super sweet feeling is I’ll add this in sandwich form to the grill so its warm and feels like you’re eating something straight from the oven.  

4. Peanut butter balls.  You can reference my recipe on my food instagram (@thekindestplate) but I literally just throw in oats, natural peanut butter, hemp hearts, milled flax seed, cinnamon, vanilla, vegan chocolate chips and maple syrup into a ball and make balls out of them.  The key is to make sure you have enough peanut butter to hold them together.

5.  Guacamole and pita chips (or tortilla).  Now the chips may not be the healthiest but the guacamole is full of the best fats and if you add some extra veggies like green peppers, tomatoes and cilantro you’re getting some added nutrients from that.

6.  Smoothies.  Such a go to in our home.  I fill mine with spinach no matter what kind I’m making.  If you want something more like ice cream we love peanut butter, frozen bananas, sugar free plant milk and vanilla.  Tastes heavenly and you can’t even notice the spinach.

7. Apple slices with cinnamon and dried fruit.

8. Snack boards.  I love putting together a board of things we can graze on and generally when trying to get in some added veggies this really helps me eat what is in front of me.  I’ll slice up cucumbers, carrots, hummus, olive spread, whole wheat pita (or pita chips), tomatoes, dried fruits and nuts.  I also love using Flora Fromage cheese which is a vegan cheese that is actually good for you made from cashews or macadamia nuts and just a healthy snack all around.  Such an easy, healthy way to graze.

9. Bean salads.  This is huge for me. I love having a chickpea greek salad or a bean salad of some sort in the fridge I can just grab as I need and add some fresh greens to if I feel I want to add to it.  I’ll usually use chickpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, green peppers, olives and add arugula when I’m serving it.  I’ll dress it with an extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt and pepper.  

10.  Vegan yogurt and granola.  I usually like to try a fortified vegan yogurt and you can always use a homemade granola so there is less added sugar.  I do not stress or focus on sugars/calories etc but more on balance and every thing in moderation and it’s a good way to get in that added fortification from the plant yogurt.  

11. Handful of nuts and seeds.  My favourites are pistachios, pumpkin seeds, almonds and cashews.  Full of nutrients, protein and good fats as well.  

12. Oatmeal or chia pudding. This is a good way to add in hemp hearts, pumpkin seeds, milled flax and fruit.  It will also keep you feeling full with added fibre, protein and omegas. 

As always, I am not a registered dietician and can’t offer medical advice of any kind but these are my go to snacks and I have had three healthy pregnancies as a vegan.  Always work with your health care professional team.

Biggest hugs,
Eleni