Healthy Snacks for Nursing Moms

When you’re nursing, you’re also ALWAYS hungry. Here are some snacks that will hit the spot, make you feel full, and (mostly) won’t pack on the pounds you’re trying to lose after having a baby.

1. Homemade Granola

Toast some oats with cinnamon, oil, and honey (400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally). Let them cool in the baking sheet. Scrape into a bowl and add your choice of dried fruits and nuts. Bam! Much cheaper than buying it at the store, and healthier if you’re careful about how much oil/honey you use. Granola is one of the easiest healthy snacks to make ahead of time.

2. Veggie Sticks with Tzatziki Sauce or Hummus

Homemade tzatziki sauce is surprisingly easy, especially if you don’t mind waiting a bit for the diced cucumbers to dry out. I squish them in a paper towel and leave them in the refrigerator overnight if possible. Hummus is an even greater favorite of mine, especially now that I have a Vitamix that actually makes it as silky as store-bought hummus. Oh, and tahini is actually an important ingredient.

Just be careful about eating too many of those chickpeas while you’re nursing. You don’t want to deal with a gassy baby all night! (My favorite hummus recipe comes from Epicurious.)

3. Kale Chips

Low and slow, everyone says. Or just buy a healthy veggie chip at the store, if you’re so exhausted from nursing all night. (Here’s a recipe, if you want to try.)

4. Energy Balls

Oats help keep your milk supply up, and these energy balls actually do make you feel more energetic. I use sugar free natural peanut butter and a very dark chocolate chip. (That helps keep this eligible for a list of healthy snacks!) The flax seed is optional but is helpful if you’re dealing with *ahem* some postpartum blockage. They can be frozen if you want to make them before Baby arrives; I’ve done that a couple times. (These make a great gift to bring a new mom, by the way!) Recipe from AllRecipes.com. Note: I tend to leave out the chia seeds.

5. Energy Bars

My aunt used to make these often, and I found myself craving them while nursing my first baby. The brewer’s yeast is not particularly delicious, and some dietitians recommend that those who suffer from frequent yeast infections not eat it. But on the upside, it provides B-complex vitamins that help your energy levels. (It’s also supposed to help your hair, skin and nails.) Use extra peanut butter and/or honey if you’re tasting too much brewer’s yeast. These are great for filling you up quickly when you only have 2 minutes to wolf something down before the next feed. Recipe below:

Aunt Sue’s Energy Bars