5 Energy Boosting Snacks for Pregnancy

Experts recommend women maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy, not gaining too much or too little depending on her pre-pregnant weight. But growing a baby takes energy. You may find that you’re not only more fatigued but also extra hungry!

Healthcare providers typically suggest 300 extra calories per day. While this doesn’t give you license to actually double what you’re eating, it does mean you may want to add a daily snack or two. Snacking doesn’t need to be boring and doesn’t need to mean binging. Snacks that combine a protein, a carbohydrate and a (good) fat are going to keep you feeling fuller, longer. They will help provide the energy you need between meals without adding empty calories.

Here are 5 healthy, energy boosting snacks you’ll love while you’re growing your little one!

Roasted Chickpeas

Craving chips? Roasted chickpeas are a great alternative. These easy snacks are a great source of fiber and protein, as well as heart-healthy fats, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Think hummus with a crunch. Serving size is ½ cup, but sometimes it’s hard to limit yourself to only that many!

Preheat your oven to 230 degrees C (450 degrees F). Blot chickpeas with a paper towel to dry them. In a bowl, toss chickpeas with olive oil, and season to taste. You can make them without the olive oil to save calories, if you want. Spread them on a baking sheet, and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until browned and crunchy. Be sure to give them a stir every 10 minutes so they don’t burn.

Try these seasonings before baking:

Ranch – sprinkle with dill, parsley, black pepper and garlic powder.

Taco – sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, minced onion, garlic and a little bit of oregano

Lemon Pepper – toss with lemon juice instead of olive oil and sprinkle with salt-free lemon pepper seasoning

Can’t find chickpeas? Hint: they’re also called garbanzo beans.

Energy Balls

If you like granola bars, you’ll enjoy these tasty balls. Choose any nut butter you like as the base. If you don’t like nut butters (or if you have an allergy), consider using medjool dates (with the pits removed) – simply put them in the food processor with a bit of water until they make a paste. Dates are also thought to help you have an easier labor – so these protein balls might make a terrific addition in the weeks leading up to your due date!

250g (1 cup) rolled oatmeal (you can process them into a flour or use them whole – the whole oats give the balls a little more texture)

60ml (¼ cup) honey

60ml (¼ cup) nut butter or medjool date paste

40g (2 T) cocoa powder

pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients well (a food processor makes quick work of it), and then use your hands to roll the ingredients into balls. If the dough is too dry, add more honey. If it’s too wet, add more oats. Keep the balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer, and grab one whenever you need a quick energy pick-me-up.

Simple Smoothies

It doesn’t get much easier than this! With 4 or 5 ingredients and 5-minute prep time, you can enjoy a nutritious snack with little fuss. Orange juice is a favorite, but apple juice works well, too. Try frozen peaches, mangoes, strawberries, or mixed berries. You can also add some fresh spinach to get some added folic acid in your diet.

½ Ripe Banana

125ml (½ cup) frozen fruit

125ml (½ cup) fruit juice

60ml (¼ cup) yogurt

5ml (1 tsp) sweetener, optional (honey, maple syrup, sugar)

Throw all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. (Or throw them all into a large cup and use an immersion blender!)

Black Bean Brownies

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, there’s no reason your snack can’t pack in a little nutritional value!

125g (4 ounces) unsweetened baking chocolate

125g (½ cup) butter or coconut oil

4 eggs (or egg substitute)

190ml (¾ cup) maple syrup or honey

500g (2 cups) black beans, pureed (canned beans are easier, but you can certainly soak dried beans then puree them)

50g (2½ Tablespoons) instant coffee

250g 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C (350 degrees F). Grease 20cm (8in) square baking pan. Melt butter and chocolate in small saucepan. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs and sweetener. Slowly add melted butter and chocolate to this mixture and beat well. Beat in bean puree and coffee. Fold in nuts. Pour into the baking pan and bake for 40-45 minutes or until set. (If you press a finger into the middle, it should dent.) Makes 16 squares.

Trail Mix

You can tailor trail mix to your own tastes, but it’s typically a combination of nuts, seeds and dried fruits. The dried fruits are full of natural sugars, so you may want to use them sparingly. Nuts may be salted or unsalted depending on your preference and nutritional needs. Add a small handful of chocolate chips or coated chocolate candies if you’re craving sweets, but don’t overdo it!

Consider the benefits of these ingredients:

Almonds: good source of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and vitamin E
Apricots (dried): good source of iron, potassium, selenium and Vitamin A
Banana chips: good source of Manganese and potassium
Dates: great source of fiber and protein
Pecans: good source of monounsaturated fats, fiber, vitamin E, copper and magnesium
Pumpkin seeds or pepitas: great source of fiber, folate and unsaturated fats
Raisins: good source of iron, potassium and fiber
Sesame seeds: good source of fiber, protein, iron and healthy fats
Sunflower seeds: good source of fiber, folate and unsaturated fats
Walnuts: good source of Omega-3 fatty acids

Other add-ins include coconut flakes, fried cherries or cranberries, cashews and other nuts, and more. You might even consider adding a whole-grain cereal or popcorn. Mix all your favourites and store them in an airtight container. Grab a handful and go!

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5 Energy Boosting Snacks for Pregnancy