Healthy night time snacks for pregnant or breastfeeding mamas

Being pregnant, or breastfeeding can bring on new levels of appetite. Fueling your body with the right nutrients is essential for all the hard work you’re doing (hello night time feeds, and busy toddlers).

Having some healthy and delicious options on hand is always a good idea! Here’s some of our favourite night time snack ideas:

Banana ice cream – This is as simple as blending up frozen ripe bananas until they are soft and a similar texture to ice cream. Super easy! Optional toppings include cacao nibs, coconut chips, or chopped dates.

Dates stuffed with nut butter – These delicious bites will hit all the right spots. Using fresh dates such as Medjool dates, split open the side of the date and remove pit, fill with almond butter or your favourite nut butter. Optional: add a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Cheese and apple – as far as food combinations go, cheese and apple are a match made in food heaven. Simply slice up an apple and your favourite cheese and pair together.

Boiled egg – eggs are little packages of goodness, rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, they are also a source of melatonin meaning they will help you to get to sleep.

Porridge – While this may seem like only breakfast food, a hot bowl of porridge with some delicious toppings is a great choice if you’re feeling like your body needs extra fuel to get you through a big night with little ones. Optional toppings include coconut sugar, nut butter, chopped fresh fruit, coconut yogurt, frozen berries, honey, cinnamon. Oats are also a natural source of melatonin.

Smoothie - smoothies are a great way to get a bunch of nutrients into your body in one go. They also taste amazing! Some of our favourite ingredients include: milk of your choice, leafy greens such as spinach or kale, frozen banana, frozen berries, nut butter, plant-based protein powder, maca powder, hemp seeds, and cacao.

Banana with almond butter - This is a super easy go-to snack that will meet your protein and healthy-fat needs. Bananas also contain magnesium and tryptophan which can help to enhance sleep. Chop a ripe banana into thirds and dollop a teaspoon of almond butter on each piece and enjoy!

Nuts - Almonds and pistachio’s in particular stand out for their high levels of sleep inducing melatonin. They’re also a source of healthy fats and protein.

Yogurt – Dairy or coconut yogurt is a great bedtime or midnight snack option and is a perfect base to add some delish toppings such as home-made granola or fresh fruit.