Third Trimester Snack Plan: 11 Recipes You Must Try

The final stage of pregnancy is where your body prepares itself for birthing. Proper nutrition is to be followed as this period is crucial. Ensure that your diet meets the 2500 calories recommended every day.

Read on to find out 11 nutritious snacks that you can try-

11 Snack Recipes For The Third Trimester

1. Egg Sandwich

Eggs contain protein, vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin B which are good for the growing baby and give you energy as well. Choline present in the egg yolk helps in the baby’s brain development.

Preparation:
Boil the egg for about 12 minutes. Then peel them and set them aside. Mix mashed avocado and lemon juice and spread them on the toast. Top off the toast with slices of the hard-boiled eggs and sprinkle any seasoning of your choice like black pepper powder or red pepper flakes to enjoy the sandwich. Ensure that the eggs are cooked thoroughly to avoid any foodborne illness.

2. Nut Smoothie

Made of nuts and seeds, this smoothie provides enough Omega-3 fatty acids that you need for the day. The avocados are packed with healthy fats that boost your energy.

Ingredients
240 ml almond milk
½ banana
½  an avocado
2 tbsp ground walnuts
2 tbsp almond butter
2 tbsp ground flax

Preparation:
Cut the banana and avocado into small pieces and add the rest of the ingredients to a blender jar. Blend until everything is mixed to make a fine paste-like consistency.

3. Dried Beans Khichdi

Substitute your junk food cravings with dried beans. They contain folic acid, one of the key nutrients that you need during pregnancy. You can find different flavours like roasted chickpeas, and soybeans in the market. Rajma, chana khichdi are some options that you can have. Khichdi is one of the easiest Indian snacks during pregnancy to make. So let’s have a look at the recipe.

Ingredients
½ cup split green mung beans or red split lentils
1 tsp. black peppercorns
½ cup white long-grain rice
¼ cup ghee or unsalted butter
1 bay leaf
A pinch of asafetida (optional)
2 tsp. cumin seeds
1 tsp. ground turmeric
1 tsp. salt (more will be needed)
2 dried red chiles

Preparation
a. Heat the pressure cooker and add asafetida, cumin seeds, ground turmeric, dried red chillies, black peppercorns and bay leaf to melted ghee or butter. Let them saute for about 30-45 seconds.

b. Add 6 cups of water and bring them to a boil. Add the rice and green mung beans and close the lid. Bring the gas flame to medium and let it cook for 15 minutes. Close the gas flame and let the khichdi sit in the closed cooker for about 5-7 minutes before having it.

4. Veggie Pasta

Pasta made in the right way can be rich in Folic Acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Fibre and Carbohydrates. However, choose variants like brown rice pasta, whole wheat pasta or quinoa pasta and the ones that are gluten-free.

Ingredients
4 cups of whole-wheat pasta/brown rice pasta/ quinoa pasta
4-5 broccoli florets
¼ cup red bell pepper (thinly sliced) –
¼ cup thinly sliced onion
3-4 cloves finely diced garlic
¼ cup diced carrots
½ cup cherry tomatoes
Salt to taste
4-5 tbsp olive oil

Preparation
a. Bring the pasta to boil in a large pot until it turns tender. Add the pasta to cold water and strain the excess water after that.
b. Heat the olive oil in a pan and add the garlic and onion. Sauté them until they turn brown.
c. Add all the vegetables except cherry tomatoes and sauté them until the veggies turn soft. You can pre-boil the broccoli and then sauté it to speed up.
d. Add the cherry tomato and cook until it softens. Then add the pasta and salt. Mix them for a while and then have the pasta while it is hot.

5. Apple with Cheddar Cheese

Packed with Vitamin C, you can have 1-2 apples every day. They are one of the easiest yet healthy snacks during pregnancy. Vitamin C helps to build immunity hence lowering your chances of catching infections. You can have it with cheddar cheese as cheese is rich in Calcium which is important for building a strong bone structure for your baby.

Preparation:
Cut the apple into small cubes and add a slice or two of cheddar cheese to it and enjoy.

6. Homemade Trail Mix

Trail mixes are rich in Calcium, Magnesium and Vitamin D – all of which need to be consumed by a mum-to-be. You can make your own easily at home too but just remember to store it in the fridge for freshness.

Ingredients
½ cup walnuts
½ cup cashews
½ cup pumpkin seeds
½ cup raw almonds
½ cup dark chocolate chunks

Preparation:
Dice the walnuts, cashews and almonds. Mix them with the remaining ingredients and store them in an airtight container.

7. Greek Yogurt Parfait

Yoghurt is rich in Probiotics which help maintain a healthy digestive system. Furthermore, it also helps meet your daily Calcium requirement.

Ingredients
1 cup of Greek yoghurt
2 tbsp chopped walnuts

Preparation:
Add the chopped walnuts to the Greek yoghurt cup and have it.

8. Porridge Khichdi

Broken wheat or daliya digests slowly and hence helps release energy over time. It is rich in fibre and hence helps to prevent constipation.

Ingredients
1 cup daliya
1 tbsp cumin seeds
½ tsp turmeric powder
¼ cup ghee
Salt to taste

Preparation
a. Heat the ghee in a pressure cooker without the lid and add cumin seeds.
b. After the cumin seeds turn brown, add the daliya and fry it for about 2-3 minutes.
c. Add 4 cups of water and turmeric.
d. Add salt and close the lid of the pressure cooker and cook it for about 15 minutes. Let it sit for 5 minutes after closing the gas flame and have it hot.


9. Sprouts Raita
Sprouts are rich in Vitamins A, C, E and K. They also contain Magnesium and Iron. However, you need to ensure that the sprouts are not raw and are either stir-fried or cooked as raw sprouts can have bacteria.

Ingredients
¼ cup sprouts
1 cup raita

Preparation
a. Steam the sprouts in a pan until they soften.
b. Strain the water from the sprouts and add them to the raita. Add some salt if you wish to and have it.

10. Carrot and Cucumber Dip

If you are looking for no cooking Indian evening snacks during pregnancy, just get some carrots and cucumber home.

Ingredients
1 cucumber
1 carrot
1 cup curd
¼ cup finely chopped onions
¼ chopped capsicum
¼ chopped tomatoes
Coriander leaves to garnish

Preparation
a. Cut the carrot and cucumber into sticks
b. In the bowl of curd, add the chopped vegetables and some black salt.
c. Dip in your carrot and cucumber and enjoy the delicious dip.

11. Corn Chaat

Craving for something that’s a little chatpata? Corn chaat is your go-to snack. Corn is packed with vitamin C and antioxidants.

Ingredients
1 cup steamed corn
1 tsp melted butter
Salt to taste
½ tsp black pepper powder
1 tbsp lime juice

Preparation
Add the steamed corn and sprinkle the black pepper powder and salt. Then add the butter and lime juice and give them all a good mix. Your corn chaat is ready.

The countdown has begun and this is the time you need to make sure your diet includes all the important nutrients. Try these easy, yummy and nutritious recipes at home for a healthy third trimester.