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7 super-easy healthy breakfasts for pregnant women you can make in 15 minutes

Fast and healthy breakfasts for pregnant women

Sarah Prager
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Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially during pregnancy, when it’s even more important to make sure you’re nourishing your body. Eating breakfast can help with morning sickness since having food in your stomach is one of the strategies to combat nausea, and having that breakfast packed with nutrition will help your baby grow. A good breakfast for pregnant women has protein, calcium, fiber, and iron, and these all have additional vitamins to boot. Here are seven healthy recipes to add to your pregnancy grocery list that don’t take long to make.

Spinach-cheese egg scramble packed with protein and antioxidants

Pregnant woman making eggs

Eggs are nutrient-dense complete proteins and are safe to eat during pregnancy as long as you cook them thoroughly (don’t leave any runniness). They also have choline, vitamin B12, and antioxidants, which are all excellent for a healthy pregnancy. Scramble up your eggs with some greens and cheese for a delicious breakfast. Spinach is a prime pregnancy food because it contains folic acid, iron, calcium, and many vitamins. Choose a cheese made from pasteurized milk that you like and add it in for extra protein to keep you full longer.

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Ginger blueberry whole wheat pancakes the whole family will love

Plate of heart-shaped pancakes for Valentine's Day

Keep it easy with a pancake mix, but choose one that is whole wheat and has protein added. Add to the batter by mixing in a teaspoon of ground ginger, a teaspoon of cinnamon, and a cup and a half of blueberries. Blueberries are nutrient-dense fruit with antioxidants and vitamins and ginger is an anti-nausea home remedy that can help with morning sickness. Drizzle with real maple syrup for sweetness.

Banana berry smoothie: Perfect for mornings when you feel queasy

Strawberry banana smoothie served as a Valentine's Day treat for breakfast

Get some blueberries or strawberries and now add banana, another powerhouse fruit filled with good nutrients for pregnancy. Blend with some protein powder to keep you full longer, and, of course, some ice and a liquid of your choice, like milk, non-dairy milk, or water.

Breakfast parfait: Packed with fiber, vitamins, and probiotics

Smoothie bowl

Layer or mix some Greek yogurt with granola and fruit for a nutrient-packed breakfast. Yogurt is a good source of protein and probiotics and the fruit will add even more nutrition while the granola brings the crunch. These are easy to make ahead and take out of the fridge when you’re ready in the morning. Add in chia seeds, lemon zest, honey, or maple syrup for some additional flavors.

Hearty avocado toast: A source of whole grains, vitamins, and protein

Avocado toast

Load up your whole wheat or multigrain toast with as many ingredients as it can hold. Spread some cream cheese right on the bread to start off with some creamy protein, and then add a bed of arugula or other greens under the sliced avocado (you can put one-half of an avocado per piece of toast). Avocado is a dream food for pregnancy because it is full of folate, healthy fats, potassium, fiber, and vitamins B5, B6, C, E, and K. Add some seeds like hemp seeds or chia seeds for extra vitamins and some dried cranberries or other fruit for sweetness. Every bite will be filled with nutrients and a variety of textures and tastes.

Ginger melon salad: Your go-to for B vitamins and vitamin C

Fruit salad

Breakfast can be as easy as chopping up some fruit. Fruit salad is a sweet way to get your vitamins without any vegetables, too. Add a half-tablespoon of minced fresh ginger into your chopped melon (think watermelon and cantaloupe together along with grapes or any other fruits you’d like) and toss. You can also add in mint, juice concentrate, and lime zest for even more flavor.

Carrot muffins: Easy on the tummy and great for breakfast to go

Four whole-grain muffins

Healthy muffins make a great pregnancy breakfast, and this carrot muffin recipe sounds delicious. Something about a home pastry just hits the spot, especially warm out of the oven. With ginger (our favorite morning sickness remedy), Greek yogurt for protein, and of course healthy carrots, this breakfast will keep you going for hours and make a good afternoon snack, too. The fruit salad, parfaits, and smoothies from above can all be eaten as leftovers later in the day as well.

Keeping up with your prenatal vitamins is wonderful, but getting additional amounts of those necessary vitamins through vegetables, whole grains, and fruits throughout the day helps your body (and baby!) absorb them even more. You’ll also feel great eating healthy and these quick breakfasts can power your walks and yoga to round out your strong pregnancy.

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Sarah Prager
Sarah Prager
Contributor
Sarah is a writer and mom who lives in Massachusetts. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, National…
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