5 Delicious Snacks For Every Pregnant Woman

Pregnancy used to be the time when most women ate for two. Although we now know that it is just a myth, it's still a time when women should look after their diet and pay careful attention to what they put in their bodies. Almost all women say they have had bizarre food cravings during their pregnancies.

The cravings, unlike popular belief, are not just limited to sour or sweet things. Some women have even reported an appetite for inedible things. Till a specific time, we used to believe that the food that pregnant women craved indicated a hidden deficiency. For instance, women who desired chocolates had manganese deficiency, ones who wanted bananas were deficient in potassium or magnesium, and so on. Even though it's a fun thing to think about, there is no scientific evidence to prove any of this is factual.

But the fact remains that pregnant women do have cravings. And it's easy for us to eat or gravitate towards something unhealthy when we are in one of our moods. Therefore, to save yourself from making any bad food choices, we have compiled a list of healthy snacks for pregnant women. No, it's none of that kale smoothie stuff. The foods down below are as hearty as they are tasty. And they can be a part of any of your rituals or parties like godbharai, baby showers, or any other celebrations you have around this time.

Let's get started!

1: Fruit Sundae

You know you're reading the right list when it begins with a dessert. Who's with me? This no-recipe dessert can be put together by a mom even during her third trimester. Yes, it's that simple. Start with a base of your seasonal fruit(we loved mangoes), top it with a handsome dollop of ice cream, fresh cream, or Greek yogurt and dahi for healthier options. You could add in some seared pineapples or peaches to make it scrumptious. While you're at it, why not add some dates too.

2: Idlis

The soft and supple idlis (rice cakes) are unmatched in their versatility. Bored with the regular deal? Try adding in some carrots(gajar), onions(pyaaz), beans, and coriander(dhaniya) to the mix, and you've got yourself a healthy alternative that is 10 times tastier than the original affair. Sprinkle some mustard seeds into hot oil and saute the vegetables in them for some added flavor.

Best part? You can make the batter and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

3: Roasted Sweet Potato Chaat

Sweet potatoes are a rich source of fiber and Vitamin A and should definitely be a part of a healthy mom's diet. Even after being so nutritious sweet potatoes hardly ever make it to our food charts because most people don't know what to do with them. So here's a quick recipe for you.

Also Read: Coconut Water in Pregnancy – Benefits, Side Effects & More

Roast some sweet potatoes on direct flame or bake them in the oven. Insert a toothpick to check for doneness. You could peel the skin off or keep it on according to your preference. Chop some onions in a bowl, add a pinch of rock salt, and a spoonful of lemon or lime juice. To this mixture, add the sweet potatoes and garnish with mint leaves to finish.

4: Frozen Banana dipped in chocolate

Bananas and chocolate - you either hate it or love it. There are two kinds of people, one, who love fruits with their chocolates and two, who absolutely detest them. If you fall in the latter category, we know you'll love it. As for the uninitiated, we encourage you to try this at least once. Peel a few bananas, dip them in chocolate, preferably dark chocolate, if you don't want a sugar rush, and stick it in the freezer. Wait for an hour, and there it is! Your treat is ready. If you're feeling too fancy, roll the bananas in some crushed nuts before the chocolate stiffens to pack some crunch.

5: Baked Samosa

You might be craving the deep-fried samosas soaking in ghee or oil, but you know that's not something you should have now or ever. So we got you the next best thing. Baked samosas taste just as good as regular samosas, and they are healthier too. The stuffing can be like minced meat, veggies, sprouts, paneer, and endless options. Brush some oil on all sides and put it in the oven till they are golden and steaming.

Also Read: Sprouts During Pregnancy – Benefits, nutritional value & More

And that's it! We would pick any of the foods mentioned above in a heartbeat with or without being pregnant. Eating healthy doesn't have to be a bore. It's not a fashion statement. It's about worshipping your body and taking care of it. We hope you stick to eating healthy foods even after pregnancy. Ciao!