Pregnancy-friendly Holiday Recipes
Navigating food can be stressful when you’re pregnant. Aversions and cravings hit hard, you may feel continually nauseous or constantly hungry (or both, mysteriously, at once), and rules about off-limit foods abound.
We rounded up a few favorite recipes to make your holiday prep a little easier.
Wondering which foods to look out for while pregnant? Give the APA’s list a read.
First Trimester
Carbs, carbs, carbs. Keeping ingredients simple is the best coping strategy for the early months of pregnancy.
Comforting Chicken Soup — whether you’re savoring a post-Hanukkah glow or simply surviving off of soup, this recipe looks delicious.
Cheesy Baked Pasta — the best way to sneak in some veggies is by surrounding them with cheese and pasta, as with this ultimate comfort food dinner.
Pomegranate Ginger Holiday Mocktail — we’re not pretending mocktails are as fun to sip as champagne on New Year’s Eve, but this festive mocktail comes in a close second. The ginger may help with sickness, too.
Second Trimester
Nutrients are back! If those early months hit hard with constant nausea, now may be the time to celebrate the top 75% of the food pyramid.
Pickle “Chacuterie” Board — why is this not a thing?! Let everyone live a day in your life right now with a celebration of all things pickled. Check out Olympia Provisions for styling inspiration.
Roasted Delicata Squash — a colorful (aka nutrient-rich) vegetable side that cozies up well to any main dish.
Pork Wellington — get the drama of a gorgeous holiday roast without the fear of undercooked meat. This recipe assumes you have some energy…cooking will likely get more challenging with baby, so relish in this as a leisurely pursuit this year.
Portobello Mushroom Gratins — a lovely vegetarian entrée worthy of a special holiday celebration.
Cranberry Apple Pie — a serving of fruit in my festive dessert? Sold. This recipe is the easiest we could find because it forgoes any finicky decorative toppers.
Third Trimester
Opt for easy and filling recipes that won’t keep you cooking on your feet for long and can be eaten every half-hour, if needed.
Hot Spinach Dip — reintroducing vegetables is easier with cheese and bread. Throwing this together in a slow cooker makes for easy prep.
“Safe” Cheese Board — while cheese boards are a party staple, they can be difficult to navigate while pregnant when experts advise against soft cheeses and cured meats. Try this combination of worry-free elements, then check out @cheesebynumbers on Instagram for tips on how to arrange your board with more flare.
Gougeres — these little French cheese puffs are at once an impressive appetizer and satisfying snack.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs — keep circling back for these protein-packed bites of buffalo-sauce goodness, which are also an easy slow cooker concoction.
Snacking Cake — cinnamon, spice, and everything…eaten twice. Or hourly.
