HELP- Nursing mama needs snack ideas for energy!

[Lissybug]

I need some ideas for good snack foods. I can't seem to gain any weight and I'm probably ten pounds too light, this makes me SO tired all the time. I just need to eat more often and I think it would help to have easy to grab snacks on hand that are actually healthy. I wind up eating junk- consequently I feel like junk. I've got to get out of this rut! What are your ideas for snack foods? How do you plan ahead so you have them on hand?
Thanks in advance!
Alissa

[VikingKvinna]

Hi Alissa,

I'm nursing too and always hungry, it seems. Here are some of the things I have been relying on:

granola bars
quick breads or muffins
whole-wheat toast with p.b. and/or jam
pasta salad
cheese, crackers and apple slices
apple slices w/p.b.
banana slices w/p.b.
pita chips or homemade tortilla chips with hummus or other bean dips
nuts
pretzels (not too healthy but it satisfies the "crunch" urge)
hard-boiled eggs
tuna salad and crackers
soups (we have soup for dinner at least twice a week, and I usually have a pureed soup on hand that I can drink out of a mug, like cream-of tomato or spinach, or similar)

Still, I find myself caught short a lot of times. That's when I reach for the granola bars or a bowl of cereal or even a banana. Actually, I should go make up some hummus now. I hope these ideas help!

~Nick

[alegna]

fruit
nuts nuts nuts
hardboiled eggs
meat (if you eat it)
cheese (several different types)

add oil or butter to most dishes.

-Angela

[ChristieB]

The other ideas mentioned are great ones. Here's a couple more.

When I was nursing, I made big batches of smoothies and then poured them into individual plastic bottles (from the fizzie water that we always have on hand ). I'd freeze them, and then take one or two out of the freezer the evening before, and then I'd have one the next day when I needed it. And since it was in a bottle, I could drink it while nursing.

I also made myself some "protien bars". I don't have the recipe anymore (it was probably only ever in my head). But basically, I'd mix almond butter and honey in the food processor, add some whey powder (I think I'd use ground flax at this point) and some almonds, process long enough that the almonds were chopped some, and then pour that mix out and add some crispy rice cereal. I spread that in greased glass pan and refrigerated it (I think?). When it was hard enough, I'd cut it into bars.

Christie

[courtenay_e]

My daughter nursed so ravenously that I had to go to a nutritionist to gain some weight. I went from a prepregnancy size six to a zero in about four months...and kept losing! When you're trying to gain it back, she made suggestions like making gravey with pure olive oil and whole wheat flour and eating gravey on your meat, sour cream on your mexican, a large glass of whole fruit/veggie juice twice a day (like an 8oz. glass, to total four servings of fruit/veggies). Nut and seed butters are great on bread/crackers. Hummus is easy and quick. Part of my problem was that my dd had tons of food allergies that were severe enough to cause her to react from things in my breastmilk. So eggs, milk products and soy, among other things were OUT for me (so I couldn't do the sour cream...or the ice cream she recommended for after dinner...). I'd go for healthy oils added to all of your meals, too. The extra juice, gravey, and oils helped...I at least stopped losing! I ate a lot more frequently, and really really increased my meal sizes. Watch out, though...I had to majorly readjust when she stopped nursing. The month she weaned (I was in 2nd trimester w/second child, too), I gained EIGHT pounds, cause I was having a hard time adjusting to eating like a non-nursing human! Have fun!

[rainbowmoon]

here's what I eat for snacks;

fruit
pretzels
chips & salsa
hummus and veggies
pudding/yogurt
peanut butter on crackers
clif bars
hard boiled eggs
cheese
ice cream
purple grapes, almonds and dark chocolate (this is seriously so goooood!)

mostly just : for new ideas as I am down to 120lbs and need to NOT lose anymore weight myself!

[my3wiggles]

Healthy snack for energy

Homemade granola is such a treat. It provides an energy boost for this nursing mama. You can make it with whatever you have on hand. I combine oats, wheat germ, almonds, shredded coconut, craisins and cinnamon. Mix with a little canola oil and honey. spread on a cookie sheet, bake at 350 (ish) for about 45 min's. (ish). It's good with milk or by the handful.

[Lissybug]

Some great ideas here! Thank you! Off to make granola-

[mominchina]

Wanted to add one more idea:

Put together some snack mix baggies of nuts and dried fruits. Remember that nuts are a great source of good fats. Walnuts especially.