Healthy breastfeeding snacks to try

healthy breastfeeding snacks for new moms, Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine
By Published On: October 5th, 2017Tags: , ,

A: I know what you mean! Breastfeeding three children made me crazy hungry. There’s nothing wrong with peanut butter and jelly (especially when it’s on whole-grain bread), but it’s a good idea—and more fun—to munch on a variety of foods between meals.

Healthy breastfeeding snacks are opportunities to nourish yourself and your tot. For the greatest satisfaction and good nutrition, snacks should be balanced mini-meals that incorporate a protein, carbohydrate and healthy fat, including the omega-3 fats your baby needs for his brain and vision and that you need for your heart health. Any healthy food qualifies as part of a snack at any time of day, including leftovers!

Some of my favorite healthy breastfeeding snacks for nursing moms include:

  • Whole-grain toast or English muffin topped with cottage cheese and fresh raspberries
  • Hard-cooked egg, fruit and a whole-grain roll
  • Roasted soybeans or edamame and Greek yogurt with half a handful of nuts mixed in
  • Homemade trail mix with almonds, whole-grain cereal and raisins
  •  Tuna mixed with mayonnaise or smashed avocado on whole-grain crackers

If you have five minutes, whip up a chocolate smoothie with a medium banana, a cup of milk or soy beverage, a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder and an ice cube.

—Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD, author of Expect the Best: Your Guide to Healthy Eating Before, During, and After Pregnancy, as well as the blog Better is the New Perfect

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