Meals for trimester 3

Following on from our blog about what to eat in trimesters 1 and 2, here are some more tips from Adam from At Dad’s Table for the final trimester.

The third trimester is similar to the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy and you will be starting to feel more tired as you get heavier and your baby puts on lots of weight. 

You should be having two portions of protein a day and adding in a lot of calcium and magnesium and vitamins.

You won’t be able to eat as much so it is important to think about smaller meals and snacks.

Batch cooking can feel like a lot of effort but you will thank yourself for being so organised once the baby arrives.

If you are cooking a meal for yourselves always make extra so you can put a few portions in the freezer.

Chilli con carne, spaghetti bolognese, fish pie, muffins, risottos and sauces are all great for batch cooking.

Ice cube trays can be very useful for freezing portions of pesto or another pasta sauce.

Snacks

Pulses and beans:

Cook pulses and beans in the oven such as chickpeas or butter beans with turmeric and paprika on a low heat for 40 minutes. These make a great crunchy snack. 

Roast some kale with salt and olive oil to make healthy crisps.

Dips: 

Blend cannellini beans with olive oil and spinach to make a tasty dip.

Guacamole is a great healthy snack. Spanish pan con tomato or gazpacho are really great.

Houmous is really easy to make and is great with crudities, toast or bread sticks or added to salads.

Prawns are a great protein-filled snack as they are bitesize and full of flavour.

Cravings

The word ‘craving’ often has negative connotations but actually it is your body telling you it wants something. If you want to eat bread for three days, eat bread for three days but know that it will pass.

Don’t put yourself under any more pressure than you’re already under at this time. If you want a takeaway then that is fine.

Food for labour

It is great to have a supply of snacks in your hospital bag which are high in energy although you may find you don’t end up eating any of them. Some suggestions include dried unsalted nuts, cereal bars and dried fruit.

Breastfeeding

This is the time in your life when if you want to pig out then that is fine! You will need the extra calories to keep your milk supply up and you will also be coping with sleep deprivation.

Breastfeeding mums need carbohydrates and calcium so milk, cheese and hearty pasta or rice dishes are great to include in your diet.

Food that you can eat one-handed is key as you may find your baby does not want to put down at all during the first few months.

Wraps are a great example of being easy to prepare and eat - try filling one with seabass, mango and rice.

Risottos and pasta (not spaghetti!) can also be eaten quickly and with one hand.

It is also important during and after pregnancy to stay hydrated at all times.

:: For information from the NHS about what foods are safe to eat in pregnancy click here

More of Adam’s recipes can be found @at_dads_table