Pregnancy and eating: these can easily be friends or foes! Whether you’re a mom-to-be who is loving her cravings and fully enjoying those extra calories you need to ingest, or if you’re suffering from nausea and really struggling to figure out what to eat, chances are food has been a big topic of conversation throughout your pregnancy.

Either way, all expecting mamas can agree that finding healthy pregnancy snacks is a super important part of the pregnancy diet. If you’re searching to find the best pregnancy snacks from among the wide range of first/second/third trimester pregnancy snacks out there, it’s not a surprise if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Let’s break it down so finding good pregnancy snacks is a little easier.

In this article:

"Eating for two" isn’t just a saying—during pregnancy, getting proper nutrients is more important than ever to boost the health of your growing little one.

Most women will need to increase their caloric intake by about 500 calories during pregnancy to ensure that they, and their babies, are getting enough nutrients. Snacking becomes a very important part of your diet while you’re expecting because it helps you take in those additional calories and may also be a preferred way of eating when dealing with nausea or morning sickness. (A small snack every few hours is much easier for iffy stomachs to tolerate than large meals.)

Keep in mind that snacking during pregnancy doesn’t mean going crazy with chips and ice cream. The best pregnancy snacks provide a well-rounded dose of the following:

The best pregnancy snacks should include either one or several of the above healthy ingredients to ensure that you’re helping to fuel baby’s optimal growth—and feel great yourself.

Also important to consider when picking good pregnancy snacks are things that are quick and easy to make. As you know, pregnancy can sap your energy, so it’s great to have things on hand that don’t require too much effort and time to put together.

Here are some of our favorite healthy pregnancy snacks broken down by type:

Packaged or homemade, dry snacks are great for on-the-go mamas since they are easy to transport and can be consumed anywhere. We like:

A little more robust (and maybe better for preparing and eating at home or at the office), these protein-packed snacks are still easy, quick, and nutritious:

Just about any fruit or vegetable can make for some of the best pregnancy snacks, since they are loaded with nutrients and also easy to grab and eat. Here are some of the top choices, known for their high vitamin content and antioxidant power:

As a general rule, any of the good pregnancy snacks we outlined above can be eaten at any point in your pregnancy. However, women often want to understand what are the best first/second/third trimester pregnancy snacks because as the baby grows and your body changes throughout the pregnancy, different foods may be more appealing at different times.

Here are some suggestions that should help you find the best first/second/third trimester pregnancy snacks:

Nausea tends to be at its peak during the first trimester, so going bland is a safe bet. (Of course, if you feel fine, there is no reason to hold back on what you select.) These snacks are unlikely to cause heartburn, nausea, or other tummy irritation:

At this point, hopefully, your initial nausea has subsided and you’re ready for some snacks that pack a protein punch and will give you that much needed energy for the next few months. We like:

What to eat during the home stretch? Keep the protein coming, plus be sure to get enough fiber and stay hydrated with plenty of fruit. These should do the trick:

When it comes time to turn your attention to feeding your baby - consider renting top feeding products from Loop to save time, money, and be more sustainable!