7 recipes to fix 7 cravings and 7 woes of pregnancy
What are you craving the most? What pregnancy discomfort has just got to go? Here are some ways to cave in without making pregnancy any more uncomfortable than it needs to be.
1. Craving: Something... Sweet. Cold. Light. Refreshing.
Remedies: Nausea
How about Popsicles?
RECIPE: Creamy Berry Ginger Pops
2 cups strawberries, hulled & quartered
2 bananas, sliced
2 cups blueberries
1 cup apple juice
1 cup Greek yogurt, vanilla
2 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp fresh grated ginger
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Add into popsicle molds. Insert popsicle sticks in each mold and freeze for 6 hours (or until firm)
RECIPE: Slushy Citrus Ginger Pops
2 cups lemonade
1 cup apple juice
1/4 cup ginger ale
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 3 limes)
4 teaspoons grated ginger
2 teaspoons honey
Mix all ingredients together. Add juice mixture in popsicle molds. Freeze 6 hours. (Insert popsicle sticks in the molds after about 1 hour when the mixture is firmer)
Yes, yes you just had desert in the morning. What? The baby wanted it. Also, nobody likes that feeling like they’re sea-sick on perfectly dry land all day. Bye nausea...
2. Craving: Something... Decadent. Small. Filling
Remedies: Fatigue
Recipe: No bake PB &J Energy bars
1¾ cup pitted dates (soaked in warm water for 15 minutes, then drained) (Raisins can be used instead)
½ cup dried cranberries (like Craisins)
1/3 cup chunky peanut butter
3/4 cup quick oats
Honey to taste (optional)
1. Soak the dates (or raisins) in warm water for 15 minutes, and drain.
2. Place dates (or raisins), dried cranberries, peanut butter, and oats in a food processor and blend until combined well.
3. Scoop mixture into a square baking pan, and firmly press down to make an even layer.
4. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes to set.
5. Cut into 8 rectangle bars.
6. Store in the freezer or fridge.
Now you’re good to survive the work day, make it to Prenatal Yoga class and nest, nest, nest away.
3. Craving: Something… like Icecream
Remedies: Extra protein and fiber. Lactation booster
RECIPE: Mama’s icecream
1 frozen banana
1/4 cup quick oats
2 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp flaxseed (up to 2 tbsp for nursing mom’s)
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
3/4 cup milk
3 cups ice (or to desired consistency - less ice makes it a smoothie!)
What a perfectly delicious way to cave in to that sweet-tooth and get extra protein and fiber.
4. Craving: Something… that’s not plain old water
Remedies: Swelling
RECIPE: Cucumber lemon water
Add lemon juice and cucumber slices to your water.
It not only flavors it, but lemons can help reduce swelling common in legs and feet later in pregnancy. Lemon juice is a mild and safe diuretic that can help your system rid itself of excess water. Cucumbers are also a mild, natural diuretic. They contain silicon and sulfur, which stimulate the kidneys to be more efficient.
Anything to make hydrating not quite so boring.
5. Craving: Something… Warm. Soothing
Remedies: Insomnia
RECIPE: Chamomile lemon balm tea
1 cup hot water
2 teaspoons dried lemon balm
1 teaspoon dried chamomile
1 teaspoon honey
Steep for 5 min. Filter and enjoy
Stress be gone, mind be still and sleep tight like a baby
6. Craving: Something Veggilicious
Remedies: Indigestion
RECIPE: Apples and carrots juice
2 carrots
2 green apples
½ cucumber
1 rib of celery
½ inch ginger root
Run all the ingredients through a juicer (or blender, then filter pulp) and enjoy, with ice or without.
What a refreshing way to get your veggies and fruit for the day in a yummy glassful and be able to stomach it!
Settle down, bellies everywhere.
7. Craving: Something filling and nutritious
Remedies: low appetite, food aversions
RECIPE: Protein power smoothie
Greens (antioxidant): 1 handful spinach
Liquid: almond milk (any milk you like)
Fruit (fiber): banana, frozen fruit
Creaminess: coconut yogurt (any yogurt you have)
Good fat + protein: almond butter (any nuts)
Add: ice + any supplements you use
Blend and enjoy a positive day ahead
The easiest way for me not to skip a meal, is to make it a smoothie!
How about you? Share your favorite smoothie ingredients in comments
Cheers!
What are (or were) your strongest pregnancy cravings and how did you fix them?
What about the most unbearable pregnancy discomfort?
Feel free to share them, and any recipes you've tried, in comments below!
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