Choosing healthy snacks for pregnant women isn't an impossible adventure. Discover the best snacks for this stage here.

Pregnancy is an extraordinary stage for many women, yet it is also a delicate period marked by numerous uncertainties and inquiries. Can I continue exercising as I did before?, Can I still take my sports supplements?, Can I indulge in some healthy cravings?. 

In this article, we’ll talk about healthy snacks for pregnant women that you can enjoy when cravings strike. Keep reading to discover which foods benefit you and which Yes You Can! snacks can accompany you during this beautiful stage.

Nutrition During Pregnancy

Maintaining a balanced diet is crucial at any stage of life, but during pregnancy, its importance intensifies, as we must attend to the needs not only of our own body but also those of the future baby.  That’s why, for a well-rounded pregnancy diet, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion suggests including a mix of foods you enjoy from each of the following groups in your pregnancy diet:

• Whole fruits
• Vegetables
• Proteins
• Low-fat dairy products
• Vegetable oils and those from fish, avocado, and nuts.

Considering the calories consumed through these foods is also essential. During the first twelve weeks, in the early stages of pregnancy, there's no need to increase your calorie intake. However, it is recommended to consume around 340 extra calories daily from the second trimester onwards. For the last trimester, the suggestion is to increase by about 450 calories per day. Keep in mind that every woman, pregnancy, and circumstance is different, so consult your doctor before finalizing your diet plan.

Healthy Snacks for Pregnant Women

To meet these caloric requirements — and to treat yourself, of course — there are many options for healthy snacks for pregnant women that you can buy or prepare. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion generally advises eating snacks prepared with vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and unsweetened yogurt. Additionally, for nausea, it suggests that toasted bread, dry cereals, or saltine crackers may be helpful too.

Here are some specific ideas for the best snacks for pregnant women. These snacks provide essential nutrients for you and your baby, satisfy your cravings, and are easy to prepare or obtain. Take a look!

Carrots with Hummus

If you’re craving something crunchy, avoid those sodium-filled potato chips! We recommend choosing some baby carrots with some hummus to satisfy that craving. You'll get the same crunchy texture without all that extra added salt. Furthermore, this snack is low in fat and provides approximately 170 calories (based on consuming about seven carrots and a quarter cup of hummus).

Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter

For a sweet snack craving, avoiding all kinds of processed cakes with high sugar and preservative levels is best. A good option is puffed rice cakes with a bit of peanut butter. A good serving for this snack is two pieces with a spoonful of butter each. Rice provides good vitamins and proteins, while peanuts contribute omega-3 and high fiber content.

Cottage Cheese

A low-fat dairy product that can be used to prepare a healthy snack for pregnant women is cottage cheese. There are many foods you can pair with. Putting some berries and strawberries on a cup of cheese, sprinkling it with some granola, or using it as a topping on toast are just a few ways to enjoy this snack. It will provide calcium to your bones and teeth and a delicious flavor to your palate.

Popcorn

What's a great movie or series without a delicious bowl of popcorn? The good news is that this qualifies as a healthy snack for pregnant women. Being a whole grain with high fiber content, it's an excellent choice during this stage. Opt for varieties with minimal seasonings or sweet additives, and if you make them at home, be mindful not to overdo it with salt. Keep in mind that excess salt may contribute to water retention, potentially causing feelings of bloating. 

Avocado Toast

Avocado is undoubtedly one of the favorite foods of Latinos. Consuming it as guacamole, an accompaniment to enchiladas or chilaquiles, or placing it directly on a tortilla couldn’t make us happier. Moreover, it's food that provides many nutrients such as vitamins A, C, and E, Calcium, Iron, and Potassium, and helps reduce bad cholesterol in the blood.

All of this makes it one of the best snacks for pregnant women. A simple and quick way to consume it is on small slices of toasted bread — you can opt for whole grain or flaxseed bread — whether you make guacamole or put some slices directly on your toast.

And for those moments when you need a snack but don't have any of these ingredients on hand or simply don't feel like preparing them, there are other ready-to-eat options. Next, we'll talk about Yes You Can! protein bars and why they are an excellent choice as a healthy snack for pregnant women.

Yes You Can! Protein Bars

Yes You Can! protein bars are a snack designed to be included in a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. They are made with natural ingredients, without added sugar or caffeine, and with a carefully planned protein content. Also, the protein bars are perfect for replacing mid-morning or mid-afternoon snacks, as an energy boost before or after a workout, and, of course, as a healthy snack for pregnant women.

You can find them in delicious flavors such as cookies and cream, churros, caramel nuts, and Rocky Road. They come in boxes of seven pieces, ideal to have on hand when your body requires it.

Benefits

Why are Yes You Can! protein bars suitable and beneficial as a snack for pregnant women? These bars have a preparation that aligns with the needs of this stage of your life, while avoiding certain ingredients that would be counterproductive, such as added sugar. The specific benefits that our protein snacks provide are:

• 14 grams of high-quality protein in a delicious bite with pure cocoa and natural nuts.
• A convenient snack that is entirely gluten-free, perfect for all family members.
• Its protein content will satisfy your cravings while boosting your energy.

What snack do you want to start with the next time you crave? Use your creativity to prepare healthy snacks with delicious taste and high nutritional value. And for those moments when you just want to take a break by eating something sweet, order your Yes You Can! protein bars from the online store, and they will be delivered straight to your door. Yes You Can! accompanies you in every stage of your life with a healthy lifestyle.