Being a mother is definitely a feeling you can't easily express with words. We know all new mums out there will never forget the very first time they held their baby in their arms after labour. While motherhood is an extraordinary experience, it also comes with a few challenges.
While there are many things a mother feels after delivering her baby, there is one common feeling many mums tend to share: hunger. Once you finally welcome your tiny tot into the world, you might find yourself feeling constantly hungry as one of the changes your body is going through.
But if you just can't find the time to whip up an entire meal, you can have a snack first instead! Before you reach for those potato chips, you might want to consider both your health and your baby's.
To help you find some healthier alternatives, we have listed down 12 of the best nutritious postpartum snacks that you can enjoy during your recovery.
12 Best Healthy Postpartum Snacks for New Mums
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Apples
Fruits are always a healthier option to snack on instead of the usual junk food. Apples - as you may already know - are incredibly nutritious and rich in fibre as well as antioxidants.
To make your snack a little more interesting, you can cut up the apple into slices and spread some yummy peanut butter on top of them.
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Broth
If you've got some broth or stock left in your refrigerator, you might be surprised to find they are also the best postpartum snacks for new mums. This is because they contain essential amino acids and anti-inflammatory effects.
Just heat up a small bowl or mug whenever hungry strikes within the day, mummy!
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Canned salmon
Suppose you find yourself suddenly very hungry but do not have a lot of time to cook up an entire meal. In that case, you can instead reach over for that canned salmon in your kitchen cupboard and makes yourself a quick salmon snack.
This fish is also loaded with a type of fat called DHA, which helps breast milk production.
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Canned tuna
Another fish on our list of the best postpartum snacks is tuna. It is also a good source of protein and supports milk production with all the Omega-3 fatty acids in it.
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Fresh berries
Craving for something sweet now, new mummy? Then go grab yourself a bowl of your favourite berries and mix them all together! Because according to Healthline, berries are actually some of the healthiest food a person could eat. These little gems are filled with fibre, Vitamin C and antioxidants.
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Hard-boiled eggs
Probably one of the quickest snacks to prepare and could leave your tummy content after you eat it is a hard-boiled egg. From just this palm-sized snack, new mums get an efficient source of protein and healthy fats to support them in their postpartum recovery.
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Hot chocolate
Remember that the goal here is to recover and get as much rest as you can. So after a long tiring day, reward yourself with a sweet cup of hot chocolate. You deserve it, mama!
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Greek yoghurt
Rich in essential vitamins and minerals, Greek yoghurt is great to just take out of your fridge and enjoy its sweetness to your heart's content. It is also one of the best postpartum snacks to grab whenever intense hunger strikes.
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Medjool dates
If you happen to have a day where you're struggling to take proper rest, you can snack on some Medjool dates. These can help increase the potassium in your diet, and WebMD even says there is research that shows how these dates can help with someone's tiredness and fatigue.
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Pistachios
Nuts are also good to snack on while you're recovering postpartum, most especially pistachios! These addicting snacks have high levels of unsaturated fatty acids and potassium. You can even share with your spouse if they happen to also be needing a bit of a snack time.
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Scrambled eggs with chopped greens
Now that you know how good eggs are for you, you can spice things up by making a scrambled egg along with some leftover greens in your kitchen. A very nutritious and healthy postpartum snack that is easy and quick to prepare!
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Water
We're not kidding when we say you should drink A LOT of water postpartum. You may find yourself constantly thirsty through all the changes your body is going through after giving birth. It's always best to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
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