Healthy snack ideas during pregnancy

Your appetite seems to be all over the place. Some days — and this will hit particularly in the third trimester — you’re ravenous. Other times, just the smell of food cooking is enough to put you off eating it. What the hell? Since we’ve dispelled that you’re eating for two and established that you shouldn’t give in to all those unhealthy cravings, it’s about time you armed yourself with some healthy snacks. We’re talking about something that will stop you reaching for the digestive biscuits being shared around the office and that will put those unhealthy cravings to bed before you give into them.
Kale chips
Whoever invented kale chips — thank you. Just when you’re about to reach for your bag of salt and vinegar, stop. Switch on the oven. Lay your pieces of kale on a baking tray; drizzle with oil and add a dash of salt. Bake for 20 minutes at 275c. Thank us later. Crisp craving averted.
Toasted almonds
Nuts don’t have to be salted to taste good. Pick up a packet of plain almonds and toast them for a couple of minutes under the grill. They just taste better toasted. Almonds pack in the good stuff too (think iron, calcium, and protein) for keeping you and your baby healthy. Pro tip: combine with dried cranberries for a sweet and crunchy mix.
Apples and peanut butter
It’s sweet, it’s savoury and it’s delicious: you must try it. Apples are pretty filling (but you already know that) and peanut butter is believed to curb your appetite. Opt for the PB without added sugar. Not into peanuts? Go for almond or cashew. Change it up with the fruits too. Come to think of it, there are loads of combinations to try.
Hummus and veg sticks
Hummus is packed with fibre and makes a great mid-morning (or afternoon) snack. And to dip? Well, pretty much any crudité that takes your fancy: carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, celery sticks, you name it, we’re sure you’ve probably got some in the fridge. Toasted whole-wheat pitta is also a solid dipping choice.
Cereal and yoghurt
Quieten those mid-morning rumbles with a cereal and yoghurt combination. The cereal jazzes up your plain yoghurt with plenty with added crunch; just make sure you don’t choose the overly sugary stuff. Picking a yoghurt with live cultures is good for improving your gut health, while all types of yoghurt are going to deliver you and baby a good dose of calcium and protein.