Visit our Canada siteThough pregnancy cravings don’t hit every expecting mama, when they do hit they can be very real. They are often the driving factor of moms justifying extra portions and extra snacks, and why not? Pregnancy is the ultimate excuse, right?
Well, not exactly. When pregnant, a woman doesn’t really eat for two. Yes, women do need some extra calories to support a growing baby, but it’s really not much more than most women’s average daily intakes. Meaning, if you eat three square meals a day, you really only need a light snack to keep your baby happy and your body healthy.
So what’s a craving momma to do? Eat smart, of course!
When having cravings, always think: what is the main flavour I am craving? For example, if you are craving chocolate, very likely your body is craving sugar. The next question to ask yourself is: can I eat something sweet that is a healthier alternative to chocolate? Well, yes, you could try eating some fruit! It has natural sugars plus vitamins that are good for you and the baby too!
Now this is much easier said than done, and sometimes you’d rather not think, which is why we’ve put together a couple of easy to work with recipes for you!
Breakfast – The Any Way Omelette
The trick to a good omelette is seasoning the eggs and minding the pan.
Base Recipe & Instructions:
Beat two to three eggs in a bowl. Sprinkle salt and crack some pepper into the mixture.
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Salty craving
Cut bacon (picnic bacon preferred) into small pieces until you have about three or four tablespoons of bacon pieces. Fry these pieces onto a nonstick skillet. Once the bacon has started to release its fat, creating oil, add about two tablespoons of chopped onion and a handful of fresh mushroom slices (baby portobello mushrooms preferred). Allow to cook until mushrooms are completely cooked then pour the egg mixture on top. Cook the omelette over low to medium heat until the sides are completely cooked, then place the skillet in an oven set to 150C and allow the oven to cook the top evenly.
Enjoy!
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Sweet craving
Pour one tablespoon of olive oil into a nonstick skillet. Once heated, add about two tablespoons of chopped onion, one-fourth cup of chopped fresh tomatoes, one-fourth cup of chopped fresh bell pepper and cook until soft. Pour the egg mixture on top. Cook the omelette over low to medium heat until the sides are completely cooked, then place the skillet in an oven set to 150C and allow the oven to cook the top evenly.
Enjoy!
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Spicy craving
Pour one tablespoon of olive oil into a nonstick skillet. Once heated, add about two tablespoons of chopped onion, a handful of freshly chopped green onions and two banana chilies, chopped. Cook until soft and then pour the egg mixture on top. Cook the omelette over low to medium heat until the sides are completely cooked, then place the skillet in an oven set to 150C and allow the oven to cook the top evenly.
Enjoy!
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Sour craving
Add two tablespoons of sour cream into your egg mixture and mix until the sour cream is well incorporated.
Pour one tablespoon of olive oil into a nonstick skillet. Once heated, add about two tablespoons of chopped onion and a handful of freshly chopped green onions. Pour the egg mixture on top then add some shredded cheese (cheddar is always easy to find!). Cook the omelette over low to medium heat until the sides are completely cooked, then place the skillet in an oven set to 150C and allow the oven to cook the top evenly.
Enjoy!
Lunch – The Everyday Salad
Start by washing your lettuce of choice. (Any lettuce will work with this salad.) Once washed, cut the lettuce into small bite sized pieces. Add other ingredients to your salad such as chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, chopped cucumbers, chopped carrots, and corn kernels. All the ingredients are optional.
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Salty craving
Take two anchovy fillets and mash them with a form until you create a paste. Add two tablespoons of olive oil and three tablespoons of balsamic vinegar to the anchovy paste and mix until the ingredients are well incorporated. Drizzle on your salad and enjoy!
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Sweet craving
Chop yellow and orange bell peppers and add them to your salad. Sprinkle your salad with salt and pepper and toss in olive oil. You may add a little vinegar, but too much will take the sweetness away.
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Spicy craving
Add one can of spicy tuna in olive oil to your salad. Use the olive oil from the tuna can as the oil for your dressing, mixing it with white wine vinegar. Add salt and pepper to your salad.
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Sour craving
Add fresh apple slices to your salad. Mix one tablespoon of olive oil with two tablespoons of white wine vinegar and toss your salad with this dressing. Let the salad sit for a few minutes in the dressing before you begin eating so as to let the vinegar seep into the ingredients.
Salads are really so easy to play around with. You can add dried fruit or other fresh fruit depending on what flavour you’re after. You can add cheese bits or cheese shavings, choosing a cheese based on creaminess or saltiness. Really, with salads, the sky is the limit!
Dinner – The Easiest Salmon to Make
Salmon loin is an easy to use ingredient that can not only fill you but give you the Omega-3 your body and baby need while pregnant! Typically, salmon loin can be baked in an oven at 180C for 25 to 30 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the loin. You’ll know it’s done when the meat flakes!
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Salty craving
Fresh half a lemon onto the salmon and sprinkle it with a generous amount of salt and fresh cracked pepper. Add onion powder and garlic powder, approximately one teaspoon of each (although less if your salmon loin is small), and rub these powders onto the salmon flesh. Bake and enjoy!
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Sweet craving
Fresh half a lemon onto the salmon and sprinkle it with a generous amount of salt and fresh cracked pepper. Add sweet paprika and rub this onto the salmon flesh until the top of the salmon is slightly orange in colour. Bake and enjoy!
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Spicy craving
Fresh half a lemon onto the salmon and sprinkle it with a generous amount of salt and fresh cracked pepper. Add sweet paprika and cayenne pepper onto the top of the salmon until the flesh is a reddish colour. Bake and enjoy!
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Sour craving
Use either the salty recipe or the sweet recipe, and bake your salmon. In a pan, heat four tablespoons of butter until melted and browned. Remove the butter from the heat and pour it into a small bowl. Add one tablespoon of lemon juice and whisk until well incorporated. Drizzle this over the salmon once it finishes cooking.
Pair your salmon with pasta, steamed vegetables, or brown rice. Remember to keep your carbs at a minimum, especially during the third trimester!
About the writer
An avid home cook, Rachel Kelly Davis has been a published writer since the age of 14, often writing features, essays, and cover pieces. In 2016 she started writing poetry, leaving index cards of her poems all over the world and posting the photos she is sent by the people who find them. She has worked in communications for over a decade, wearing various hats ranging from digital marketing and SEO practitioner, brand strategist, and investor relations officer. Most recently she was the Associate Vice President for Customer Experience (Public Affairs) at WSP Inc., a public relations company based in the Philippines. Currently she is happily raising 5-year-old Valentina and 2-month old Levi Grey while taking charge of Mommy Mundo’s web content. Find her and more of her recipes on Instagram @arkaydee
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