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Friday, April 1, 2011

High Protein Snacks for Pregnant Women


Pregnant women, more than anyone else, have to be extremely cautious about what they are putting into their mouths. It can affect one's overall health and lead to damaging effects if one's diet during this time is not taken into strict consideration. That prenatal period that mothers go through needs constant care and attention to help not only the baby grow and develop into a healthy child, but ensure that even the mother gets her share of nutrients. Knowing how to create a balance in your diet that takes care of both mother and child should be your priority. Stay off the bad carbohydrates and grease laden foods/sugary items that do nothing for your system, and instead opt for those that score big ones where health and safety is concerned.


High protein snacks for pregnant women are vital where you need to include protein in your diet on a day to day basis. In order to pile on the healthy calories and steer clear from the bad ones, eating protein rich foods will go a long way for you and your baby. Proteins are known to fill one's system longer, making one feel more satiated for a longer period of time. It is also contributes to muscle mass growth ensuring that you get your daily dose of energy and the replacement of it when lost due to physical activities like walking or exercising. You'll find help here on how to put together simple small portioned meals that you can snack on when those food cravings kick in which are inevitably a part of pregnancy.

Ideal Protein Foods to Eat for Pregnant Women

Protein rich snacks make up foods that are abundant in protein and help pregnant women get that much needed dose of this element in their systems. Let's look into which foods are best eaten when it comes to the highest in protein content. 


  • Eggs
  • Turkey
  • Seafood (tuna and salmon)
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Milk
  • Protein bars
  • Protein shakes
  • Vegetables
  • Soy products (go easy on these)
  • Cheese
  • Nuts
  • Oats
  • Yogurt
  • Lentils
  • Fruits
Healthy High Protein Snacks During Pregnancy

Let's look into some easy to prepare healthy high protein snacks for pregnant women and how to spread these out during the course of the week. Breakfast and lunch should be the most protein rich meals of the day using all kinds of food sources that are rich in varied nutrients besides these.

  • Egg whites (separate the yolks of two eggs and then fry the whites of these in olive oil coupled with herbs/mushrooms).
  • You can prepare a filling protein shake of strawberries combined with non fat cream and non fat milk. Blitz these together in a blender and pour into a tall glass and garnish with mint.
  • Mini turkey sandwiches with three slices of turkey, lettuce leaves, olives, tomato and a teaspoon of blue cheese.
  • Poached chicken with vegetable salad using lettuce, tomato, cottage cheese, olives, orange sections and herbs as your base ingredients, finished off with lemon juice.
  • Poached shrimp gravy with brown rice.
  • Toasted tofu with sautéed vegetables.
  • Protein bars or nuts during midday to munch on when the cravings set in.
  • 1 banana combined with crushed oats and non fat milk, for a protein shake.
  • Grilled beef (use electric grill) combined with non fat cream cheese dressing and egg whites.
  • Oatmeal porridge, combined with fruits of your choice, usually raspberries or blueberries.
  • Lentil soup with vegetables like carrots and shallots.
  • Nuts like almonds, cashews or walnuts.
  • Non fat yogurt with grapes or berries.
  • A fruit bowl with watermelon, kiwi, pomegranate and sliced apple, topped off with freshly squeezed orange juice.
  These high protein snacks will do well for those expecting babies and looking for healthy eats to fill up the day. Be sure to use breakfast and lunch as your high protein based eating times of the day. Drink plenty of fluids as well and make sure that everything is fresh and free from all kinds of preservatives/additives. Have a healthy tomorrow.