Pregnancy Cravings: Top Healthy Foods to Eat While Pregnant

Keeping on top of your pregnancy cravings can seem like a never-ending task. As your bump grows you will find eating larger meals more difficult and snacking will become your full-time job. 

As your appetite increases you will want to make sure you are reaching for healthy snacks. Bonus points if they are easy and quick to make. Ensuring that your snacks are nutrient-dense and healthy for you and your baby. 

Below is a list of delicious and healthy snacks that you can reach for when those cravings hit. Each snack offers excellent nutrition such as healthy fats, protein, and vitamins that are perfect for growing a small human.

Pregnancy Cravings: Healthy Food Ideas

1. Hummus and crudites: Hummus is an excellent source of protein and is low in fat. Raw crudites like carrots, bell peppers, and celery will give you a vitamin kick and a welcome crunch. 
2. Apple with natural peanut butter: Quick to assemble and easy to take with you on the go. Natural peanut butter is a great source of fat and includes vitamin E, B6, magnesium, and iron. While apples are a great source of fibre and antioxidants. 
3. Greek yogurt with honey and fruit: Greek yogurt has natural live cultures which is great for your gut health and is an excellent source of calcium. Top it off with your choice of berries and honey for a sweet treat. 
4. Smashed avocado on rye bread: Avocados are full of potassium and are a great source of healthy fat. Rye bread is a great source of fibre and is even better if you can choose a wholegrain version. 
5. Trail Mix: A healthy combo of nuts, dried fruit, and dark chocolate can help keep pesky cravings at bay. You can make your own and choose your favourite nuts and fruit to keep handy in your bag when hunger hits. 
6. Smoothies: Smoothies are a great way to consume healthy foods that aren’t appetising to you. If you need to eat more leafy greens then incorporate them into a fruit smoothie and you won’t even taste them. 
7. Baked potato with low-fat cream cheese and chives: A baked potato can be a great mid-afternoon snack as it will give you a much-needed energy boost. Top it with low-fat cream cheese for calcium and chives for flavour. 
8. Popcorn. Popcorn you make at home can be very healthy and the perfect low-calorie snack. To make it tasty without adding salt (which will make you bloat) or sugar, try topping it with grated cheese or dark chocolate shavings. 
9. Salsa and corn chips. Salsa is packed with fresh ingredients such as tomato and onion and baked corn chips are a great source of fibre and carbohydrates. This snack will give you an energy boost and keep cravings at bay for a while.
10. Hard-boiled eggs: A simple and easy snack yet packed with nutrition, including calcium, vitamin A, and protein. Boiled eggs are the perfect on-the-go snack that you can prepare a few days ahead of time.  
11. Cheese, fruit, and nut plate: Cheese is an excellent source of calcium and you can make your plate as colourful and interesting as you like with fresh fruit and nuts. This is another great snack you can prepare to take with you to the office or on the go. 
12. Protein bars: If you are out and about a lot, or have a long commute to work packing a protein bar or two in your bag could save you from surprise hunger pangs. Most protein bars are low in fat and sugar and are packed with nuts and fruit. You could even make your own at home at the beginning of the week to keep in your bag. 
13. Edamame: These bright green soybeans are often served as a snack at Japanese restaurants and are the perfect pregnancy snack. Edamame is rich in antioxidants, fibre, soy protein, and vitamin K and they are so satisfying to nibble on. 
14. Sweet potato crisps: Sweet potato crisps are sweet and wholesome, made from 100% sweet potato they are rich in potassium, fibre, and are brilliant for maintaining gut health. 
15. Fresh-cut vegetables: Possibly the simplest and healthiest snack that is easy to prepare and which you can munch on all day long, guilt-free. Carrot battens, cucumber slices, bell pepper, and celery will help satisfy your need to eat something while keeping you healthy. 

Pregnancy Cravings: Foods to Avoid (if you can!)

There are a few foods that you should avoid during pregnancy that are not safe for you to consume for both you and your baby. These foods are noted on the NHS website as foods to avoid during pregnancy. It is worth checking out the list to ensure your favourite snack isn’t on the list.  

While pregnant you should aim to limit foods high in sugar such as fizzy drinks, cakes, and sweets, as you will likely endure a crash in your sugar levels and be craving another snack soon after. Instead, choose healthy options that will keep you full for longer and offer beneficial nutrients to you and your baby. 

Pregnancy Cravings: Final thoughts

Finding snacks to nibble on during your pregnancy that are healthy, quick, and easy can be tricky, however with a little bit of preparation you can make things easy for yourself. When doing your food shop make sure to buy plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables that you can happily eat raw. Stock up on your favourite natural nut butter and high-quality cheese so you can make snacks quickly when hunger strikes. 

If you enjoy smoothies but dislike the prep you can dedicate a day to slicing fruit and vegetables and freezing them in packs ready to throw in the blender. Crudites are also easy to make in advance by chopping your preferred veg and storing it in the fridge for when you need it. 

As long as you are choosing snacks that interest your tastebuds and you keep a variety in stock you will find eating healthier easier and more satisfying than reaching for pre-packaged snacks. Experiment with recipes and combinations until you find what is right for you and makes you feel happy during your pregnancy. 

Many of the options in this article such as yogurt, and cream cheese have dairy-free or vegan alternatives however if you have any dietary restrictions it might be worth having a chat with your midwife who will be able to give you some nutrition advice. 

We hope you have found this article helpful and you have found a snack from our list that interests you to eat healthily.