Five Snacks for Nursing Parents
Posted on: August 23, 2022 | Body, Feeding, Health, Information, Meals, Postpartum
It’s not only what you put in your body, but also how much and how often. Nursing parents should consume additional calories in their day to assist with the body’s function of producing breastmilk. Herein lies the hang-ups for many new parents…the time!…the what! Postpartum nutrition is vital in producing and maintaining a supple milk supply. These five snacks for nursing parents are filled with the vitamins and nutrients suggested for a postpartum nursing body.
Snacks that Can Be Eaten with One Hand
Fresh fruit. Fresh fruit is a wonderful snack to eat with one hand. Bathing the fruit in a vinegar wash prolongs the life of the fruit by additional days. Vinegar wash includes a fourth of a cup of white vinegar to a bowl filled with cold water, then place fruit into the bowl. Let sit for 10-15 minutes. Drain and rinse the fruit. Place on a towel or cloth to dry. Put fruit in the refrigerator.
Vegetables. Carrot sticks, celery sticks, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, and more are perfect crunchy delicacies for a nursing station. Pour a side of ranch or hummus and enjoy an extra level of yum.
Nuts, trail mixes, dried fruits, cheese and crackers. All of these are packed with the goodness of protein and fill you up without bogging you down. A sweet mix of nuts with dried fruit adds layers of texture to the palate. Pop in some yogurt bites or chocolate chips, and you’ve just added some sweetness to the concoction.
Bars. Whether they be homemade or boxed, breakfast bars, energy bars, or dessert bars, you name it, are perfectly and ready to be grabbed and gobbled while nursing a wee babe. With a variety of flavors and textures, there’s sure to be a bar for every tastebud.
French fries, chicken nuggets, mozzarella sticks…I know, I know…but hear me out! A mama’s gotta eat, right? This little handy dandy indulges are not only a meal but are quick and youthful. Stopping by the drive-thru, ordering from a food delivery service, or firing up the air fryer for those crisps that just hits right.
Delicious No Bake Energy Balls
One of our favorite snacks to make for postpartum families are these easy to make and delicious nutritious no-bake energy balls. The ingredients are common pantry staples and can be whipped up in a matter of thirty minutes. The ingredients included: oats, coconut, honey, peanut butter, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, flax seeds, and chia seeds. Each of these ingredients is a great source of Iron, Protein, calcium, and more. All of which are beneficial in postpartum recovery and reigniting natural energy. Find the full recipe at: https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/no-bake-energy-bites/
Grab-and-Go Packaging
For packaging up the handy snacks for grab-and-go, little containers filled with portions that are perfect. Buying in bulk allows for economizing snacks putting less strain on the wallet. Little Ziploc snack-sized baggies or reusable silicone containers make for convenient containers that are environmentally friendly. Throw a few treat-filled containers in the diaper bag for an energy boost on the go.
Finding the time to eat let alone eat something with sustenance isn’t always as easy peasy, in those early days of postpartum and nursing. Having quick and handy snacks (and meals) will help set one’s self up for the nutritional support that is needed for breast/chestfeeding success. Prepping the snacks before retreating for the night ensures that there’s something tasty waiting for you in the am.