Favorite Pregnancy Snacks

As a person who generally has a good grasp on her fitness and nutrition, I'll be the first to admit that pregnancy is rough when it comes to cravings. I can't tell you how many times I've had a good lunch planned out and then when it came time to eat, could not stomach the idea of eating what I had originally had in mind. No, my body craved something greasy and carb-loaded instead. While I have given into this craving a time or two, I really have been cognizant about keeping healthy snacks around at home as well as at work. The easier they are to grab and go, the better. Here are some of my favorite snack options for pregnancy {and beyond!}

Apple Slices & Cheese

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Almonds

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Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt & Fresh Berries

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Lowfat Cottage Cheese

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Wasa Crackers and Natural Peanut Butter

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Obviously, you can see my cravings err on the side of dairy and sweet things. So I try to at least have my sweets mostly come from fresh fruit. I know too much dairy is not good, but when you are pregnant, protein is necessary for a healthy fetus, so I don't mind indulging a little on that end for now.

What are your go-to healthy snacks?

Quinoa: Benefits & How I Prepare It

Quinoa {Keen-Wah} was discovered three or four thousand years ago by the Incas as a super-grain that was fit for human consumption. The Incas believed this grain helped greatly increase their warriors' stamina.

Here are some benefits of quinoa {via}:

1. Quinoa is one of the most protein-rich foods we can eat. It is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids.

2. Quinoa contains almost twice as much fiber as most other grains. Fiber is most widely known to relieve constipation. It also helps to prevent heart disease by reducing high blood pressure and diabetes. Fiber lowers cholesterol and glucose levels, may lower your risk of developing hemorrhoids and may help you to lose weight as it takes a longer time to chew than does other foods because it makes you feel fuller for longer and is less “energy dense” which means it has fewer calories for the same volume of food.

3. Quinoa contains Iron. Iron helps keep our red blood cells healthy and is the basis of hemoglobin formation. Iron carries oxygen from one cell to another and supplies oxygen to our muscles to aid in their contraction. Iron also increases brain function because the brain takes in about 20% of our blood oxygen. There are many benefits of iron some more of which include neurotransmitter synthesis, regulation of body temperature, aids enzyme activity and energy metabolism.

4. Quinoa contains lysine. Lysine is mainly essential for tissue growth and repair.

5. Quinoa is rich in magnesium. Magnesium helps to relax blood vessels and thereby to alleviate migraines. Magnesium also may reduce Type 2 diabetes by promoting healthy blood sugar control. Other health benefits of magnesium include transmission of nerve impulses, body temperature regulation, detoxification, energy production, and the formation of healthy bones and teeth.

6. Quinoa is high in Riboflavin (B2). B2 improves energy metabolism within brain and muscle cells and is known to help create proper energy production in cells.

7. Quinoa has a high content of manganese. Manganese is an antioxidant, which helps to prevent damage of mitochondria during energy production as well as to protect red blood cells and other cells from injury by free radicals.

 

Another great benefit of quinoa that I have personally found is that it's versatile. You can use it in placement of oatmeal at breakfast - mix it with a little Greek yogurt and some fruit and you have a protein-packed dish. I use it in salads, sometimes in place of a meat source of protein, and I like to eat it as a side dish, or in place of pasta and rice in dishes like casseroles, or even a chicken Parmesan dish. 

Some people complain that quinoa is a little on the bitter side for their taste. Here's how I cook it to rid it of the bitterness:

1. I rinse the quinoa in a very fine strainer {the quinoa seeds are very tiny and will slip through a normal colander}.
2. I trade out a quarter or half of the water it cooks in with 98-99% fat free, low sodium chicken broth.

I have found my method gives it more of a flavorful taste, so eating it all by itself is bearable. Obviously, for breakfast dishes, I wouldn't go the chicken broth route. I might sprinkle a little Stevia over it and mix it with my yogurt, etc. for morning dishes.

If you've never tried quinoa, I urge you to give it a go. It's so incredibly good for you.
 

Still Tasty

In an effort to plan my meals better, I've started cooking batches of things ahead of time - i.e. quinoa, tilapia fillets, chicken breasts, etc.

I've found myself wondering the proper storage for these items once cooked...and how long they will be good for. I've of course gone to the internet as my answer source. Today, I stumbled upon an AWESOME site.

Still Tasty

You literally type in any kind of food...

...choose whether it's cooked or uncooked...

...and -voila!- you have your answer on the proper storage and length of time it will still be good to eat.

I told you, awesome, right?

Right now I'm eating some reheated quinoa and tilapia I made a couple of days ago. 

I feel my diet is where I need the most change. I am pretty good overall with my diet, but I do let myself indulge a little more than I probably should...and often it's due to lack of preparation. When I have my meals and snacks in a lunch cooler ready to go on work days, it makes it so much easier to stay on track.

Protein-Packed Power Breakfast

This turkey bacon and egg sandwich is a great way to start your day. It give you carbs for energy, plenty of protein and good fats. You will feel full and satisfied for hours.

NUTRITION FACTS

TOTAL SANDWICH

Calories: 290 | Calories from Fat: 130 | Fat: 15g | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 21g
Protein Calories: 84 (29%), Fat Calories: 130 (45%), Carb Calories: 71 (26%) 

-BY ITEM-

THOMAS LIGHT MULTIGRAIN MUFFINS

Calories: 100 | Calories from Fat: 10 | Fat: 1g | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 5g

(2) LARGE EGG(S)

Calories: 140 | Calories from Fat: 90 | Fat: 10g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 12g

(2) SLICE(S) BUTTERBALL EVERYDAY LOWER SODIUM TURKEY BACON

Calories: 50 | Calories from Fat: 30 | Fat: 4g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 4g

*Note: This breakfast is a great option for anyone, but unless you are also exercising regularly, I recommend only using 1 slice turkey bacon and 1 egg. I exercise for one hour five days a week, so these calories are essential for muscle growth and repair. Remember, food is fuel, not entertainment!

Lean Mean Green Machine

Well, the good news is I think I'm officially out of my little "funk". I've sort of sparked a sort of "gung-ho" mentality that I've really needed to get back into. I've cut out wine intake for now. I've been spending my gym shift mornings {before my shift starts} doing my weight training. Additionally, even though my diet was pretty good before, I've started to be a lot more conscious of anything bad I was doing, and doing my best to put a stop to it. I've also been trying to find more ways to work in the things that need to be in my diet more than they were. One way I'm doing that is with a green drink.

{source}

PB Banana Spinach Smoothie

2 cups fresh spinach leaves
1 banana {frozen is good, but slice before freezing}
1 tbsp. natural peanut butter
2 tbsp. vanilla Greek yogurt
1 cup skim milk
{Add a scoop of vanilla whey protein if desired}

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour, and enjoy!

The spinach flavor is disguised so well. The drink will be bright green, but tastes delish and it's a great way to get in some good nutrients, while feeling satisfied afterward.

{Easy} Healthy Recipes You Should Try

Menu planning is something I'm trying to become much better at...feeding my family at the end of a busy day is a crazy task when I don't have anything planned for dinner and end up flying by the seat of my pants. I've discovered THE BEST website for healthy meals...and the ones I've tried are SOOOOOOO yum! Even the boys approve. I love to sit down on Sundays, peruse the website and plan my weekly menu and grocery list.

Here are a few of my faves from Skinny Taste:

Cilantro Lime Tilapia Tacos

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I make these tacos for dinner often. They are easy to make and use a few of the ingredients you are likely to have around the house anyway. I could definitely eat this once a week. My husband just loves it.

PB & J Yogurt

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My boys absolutely love this for breakfast - and I do too! It's a guilt-free, yet very satisfying way to start the day. You could probably even make it the night before, cover it and pop it into the fridge to have a quick grab-n-go option for breakfast.

Grilled Chicken Sandwich w/Avocado & Tomato

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This makes a great lunch or dinner. 'Nuff said. Looks yummy, right?

I encourage you to check out Skinny Taste - you won't be disappointed! xoxo

Meal Planning & Prep

The busy life of a mom, much less a working mom, can easily get in the way of clean eating efforts. Today, we are often on the go from here to there, from sun up to sun down. It's nearly impossible to stay on track with your nutrition without proper planning ahead of time.

My best, cleanest eating weeks are those where I set aside a little time after the boys have gone to bed, usually on a Sunday evening before the work week begins, to prep and package my food to be easily thrown in my lunch bag every day of the week. You will also find, you might save a lot of money this way, as you hopefully will spend a lot less on meals out.

Here's a peek of how I do it:

This week, my plan was to have a leafy spinach salad with cucumbers and grape tomatoes for lunch each day. {Some may prefer more variety, but I absolutely love this salad, so I have no issue eating it every day.}

I often make the salad in a very large Tupperware container I own:

And I spoon some into a smaller Tupperware dish to take with my in my lunch bag the next day.

I then make sure to have a small dish with my current favorite salad dressing in it. This is Newman's Own Lite Sesame Ginger...it is sooooooo good...and only 15 calories per serving. I make sure to take just a serving's worth.

Additionally, I like to have some good protein to go with, so I hard-boil some eggs to get me through the week {and a few extra for Tanner's lunches}.

As far as snack foods to get me through my long work days, I pack things such as string cheese, raw almonds, carrots, apples, grapes...just anything that is naturally low-cal and nutritious.

As soon as I'm done with prep, I pop a day's worth of snack and lunch into this super-cute lunch bag I found at Marshall's for $9.99:

Isn't it cute? I just love it. And it's the perfect size, like a purse. I plan on getting it monogrammed eventually. So everything goes in here when I'm done, and into the fridge. The next morning before work, I take it out, pop a freezer-pak in it and go.

As far as breakfast, I usually carve out a few extra minutes in the morning to scramble up some egg whites, top them with avocado and drizzle with hot sauce {to get that metabolism going!} If I don't have time for that, I make a whey protein smoothie...I'll have my personal recipe for you here on the blog soon.

How do you plan for a healthy week?