350-calorie snacks for Pregnant Women
You need extra calories to grow a healthy baby. Make the most of them with these simple recipes for nutritious small bites.
A free pass to eat more
As if being pregnant isn’t enough of a reason to celebrate, here’s another: You’re expected—and encouraged—to eat! Experts agree you need more calories, more often, as a mom-to-be. While it’s recommended that the average woman take in 2,000 calories each day, expectant moms need roughly 350 extra calories a day in the second trimester and 450 extra calories in the third trimester.
Eat more frequently and wisely
What’s more, your developing baby is constantly drawing nutrients from you, so it’s important to eat more than three times a day to keep your energy levels up. Make the most of those extra calories by choosing foods that are high in the essential nutrients you and your baby need, including folate, calcium, protein, iron and omega-3 fatty acids, and be sure to keep portion sizes in mind.
Snacks should be mini-meals but not meal wreckers, the best snacks combine protein with carbs to keep you fuller longer.” For example, instead of just grabbing a handful of pretzels, go with whole-wheat pretzels and add a glass of milk. You should get an extra 500 calories a day as soon as you know you’re having more than one baby, because most moms-to-be of twins will deliver before 40 weeks.Take pleasure in those extra bites. Here are a few 350-calorie snacks that are easy to make, packed with pregnancy nutrients and delicious, too.
Recipes
Warm Egg and Spinach Sandwich Measure out 1⁄4 cup of low-fat cottage cheese and spread half over each side of a toasted whole-wheat English muffin. Top 1 muffin slice with 1⁄2 cup baby spinach leaves and 1 thick tomato slice. Top the other with a scrambled egg, ½ ounce prepared pesto, and salt and pepper to taste. Assemble and enjoy.
Grab-and-Go Energy Mix Combine 2 cups All-Bran Extra Fiber cereal with 2 cups fortified puffed wheat cereal, 1 cup mini whole-wheat pretzels, 1⁄3 cup dried cherries, 1⁄3 cup dried currants, 1 ⁄4 cup toasted chopped walnuts, 1⁄4 cup raw pumpkin seeds and 2 ounces cocoa nibs. Evenly divide mixture among 6 zip-top plastic bags. Makes 6 1 ⁄2-cup servings.
Salmon-Hoisin Lettuce Rolls Lay out 2 Bibb lettuce leaves and spread each one with 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce. Scatter a 3-ounce portion of drained canned salmon over each leaf (6 ounces total). Shred 1 small carrot, sprinkle over salmon and top each portion with several chopped fresh mint leaves. Roll up each lettuce leaf.
Maple-Ginger Tofu “Crème Caramel” Place 1 8-ounce block of silken tofu in a small serving bowl. Pour 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (heated, if desired) over tofu and top with 1⁄2 tea- spoon freshly grated ginger and 2 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds.
Lite Banana Split Cut 1 small, peeled banana lengthwise in half and place in a shallow dish. Arrange a 1⁄2 cup scoop of nonfat strawberry frozen yogurt over the center of both halves and top with 1⁄2 cup sliced fresh strawberries, 2 tablespoons fat-free chocolate syrup and 1⁄2 ounce chopped roasted pea- nuts (about 14 whole nuts).