40 Healthy Snacks for Moms-to-Be

Plagued by between-meal hunger attacks? Too tired to fuss with real cooking? Here are 40 easy, nutritionally sound snacks -- a different one for each week of pregnancy!

1. Almonds, gently toasted in a pan -- Rich in protein, plenty of crunch
2. Granny Smith apple slices topped with cheddar slices -- One fruit serving and a great way to get fiber and calcium
3. Dried cranberries -- a surprising, tasty source of vitamin C
4. Hard-boiled Eggs -- protein in a handy take-along package
5. Dried Apricots -- Loaded with Vitamin A, promotes healthy skin, eyes, and bones
6. Hummus spread on romaine lettuce leaves and rolled into a "wrap" -- A meatless protein source, plus romaine provides twice as much folate and Vitamins A and C as iceberg lettuce
7. Yogurt with a sprinkling of Grape-Nuts cereal for crunch -- Calcium, protein, and fiber all in one
8. Pickle spear wrapped in a slice of turkey -- Jazz up that lean protein with a taste of crunchy dill
9. Multigrain Toaster Waffle -- top with blackstrap molasses for extra iron
10. Oatmeal cookies -- sweet source of carbohydrates, for extra energy
11. Oat Bran pretzel nuggets -- tasty, snackable source of fiber
12. Half a banana rolled in wheat germ -- potassium plus protein equals a super snack
13. Veggie Booty -- these "gourmet" puffed-rice-and-corn snacks are made with super-healthy kale, but they taste so great that you'd never know it
14. Whole wheat graham crackers with peanut butter and unsweetened fruit spread -- a childhood classic remade for optimal protein and fiber
15. Cottage cheese mixed with crushed unsweetened pineapple, spread on rice cake -- calcium and protein, sweetened with a taste of the tropics
16. Kiwi fruit -- an excellent source of vitamin C
17. Enriched, high-fiber cereal sprinkled with fresh blueberries -- a slew of vitamin and minerals, served up in a spoon
18. Edamame (also called "vegetable soybeans" or "sweet beans"), served chilled with a sprinkling of sea salt -- these cute green beans, often sold in the supermarket frozen-food section, are a crunchy, addictive source of protein, Vitamin A, folate, iron, and calcium
19. A handful of grape tomatoes -- little bombs packed with vitamin C
20. Celery sticks with dip made with pureed fresh spinach and yogurt -- a tasty way to eat your dark-green leafy veggies (a great source of folic acid)
21. Fresh cherries -- sweet treats, fun to eat, a source of Vitamin C
22. Baked potato topped with plain yogurt and chives -- eat the potato skin, which is full of iron
23. Skim milk and banana smoothie -- protein, calcium, and potassium in a glass
24. Mango cubes -- full of Vitamin A, for baby's cell growth
25. Old-fashioned (not instant) oatmeal sprinkled with raisins -- fiber and iron, great anytime of day
26. Oven-baked sweet potato fries -- a healthier, nutrient-rich alternative to ordinary fries
27. Zucchini bread -- tasty way to get your veggies in!
28. Sardines (with bones) mashed with lemon juice and scallion, spread on melba toast -- calcium source, plus fatty acids for brain development
29. A slice of gooey, cheesy pizza -- it supplies calcium, and hey -- you're pregnant -- live a little!
30. Low-sodium vegetable juice (spiced with a bit of Tabasco, if you're missing Bloody Marys) -- counts as a serving of dark leafy and yellow veggies
31. Cantaloupe slices squirted with lime -- Vitamins A and C, a refreshing treat
32. Tofu cubes marinated in rice vinegar and sesame oil -- pure protein, Asian-style, fuels baby's growth
33. Low-fat pumpkin muffin -- Comfort food loaded with vitamins and minerals
34. Melted swiss cheese and mustard on whole-grain bread -- calcium and fiber, in a grown-up version of a kiddie favorite
35. Baby carrots dunked in salsa-cottage cheese dip -- Spicy and satisfying, plus lots of Vitamins A and E
36. Half an avocado, cubed and topped with fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro -- Rich in healthy fats, no cholesterol and a great source of folates
37. Salmon (with bones) mixed with a bit of mayo and spread on half a whole wheat bagel -- calcium and fiber, soothes hunger pangs
38. Blanched Broccolini spears drizzled with a tablespoon of your favorite salad dressing -- an upgrade from broccoli, packed with Vitamin C
39. A handful of baked tortilla chips, under the broiler with shredded jack cheese -- nachos made over for pregnancy health
40. Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream -- see number 29

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