10 one-handed snacks for new mums

Baby in one hand – healthy snack in the other! Here Laura Uglow from True Vitality 4 Mums explains shares her top healthy one-handed snacks for new mums.

It’s no surprise why new parents find themselves reaching for cakes and biscuits so much in the first few months: with the baby taking up permanent residence in one arm, that leaves only the other to make and reach for food. Combined with sleep deprivation and general baby fog, it can be hard to get out of that cake-and-coffee slump.

These one-handed snacks in the first few weeks can really save the day. Plus, when you are breastfeeding you need the extra (but healthy!) calories and breast-feeding generally takes one hand and leaves another free for one-handed typing, snacking, or reading.

By preparing these one-handed snacks in advance it will make it easy to get some healthy and energising nourishment while giving some to your baby. 

All these post-natal snacks have a good balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats to give you all the nutrients and energy throughout the day. They will also keep your blood sugar levels stable and will also prevent you reaching for quick and easy sugary snacks such as biscuits, cake and chocolate.

Treat yourself or a new mum you know with any of these simple-to-eat snacks.

Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Ingredients: 1 cup sugar free peanut butter (or almond butter, 1 cup honey, 1 cup oats, 1 cup chopped dried apricot, 1 cup sliced almonds, 1/8 tsp cinnamon (optional).
Directions: Prep these in advance! In a medium size pot, on the lowest heat – warm up the honey and peanut butter until the texture is runny. (you are not cooking it – just mixing until smooth). Mix in the apricots, nuts and oats and stir in well. For an extra protein hit add 1 large scoop (2 tbsp) of your favourite protein powder. Cool in the fridge for at least 45 mins and then roll into small bite size balls (about 1 tbsp mixture). Enjoy! If you want to make these to give you a chocolate hit then add 1 tbsp 70% cocoa powder! These store well in the freezer.

Paprika Almonds

Buy a bulk pack of almonds, cover in no sugar soy sauce and paprika and roast in the oven on a medium heat for 15-20 mins. Keep checking as they can burn very easily! Or if you prefer your almonds plain simply spray with olive oil and add a sprinkle of salt all over.

Trail Mix

1 handful of trail mix with includes seeds, nuts, coconut flakes and dried fruit/berries (make sure there is no sugar added). You can buy this or make up your own in a jar.

Crudites with Nut Butter/Hummous

A cup of pre-chopped crudites – celery, cucumber, peppers, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower or carrots –  coated with ½ tbsp each of sugar free peanut butter or almond butter or you can dip these in 2 tablespoons of hummous/cottage cheese. 

Fruit with Nuts

Ingredients: 1 pear or 1 apple with 3 brazil nuts or 10 almonds/cashews. You can also mix up the fruit and nuts you choose. Be mindful of how many nuts you have!

Dark Chocolate Nuts

2 x 70% cocoa dark chocolate covered brazil nuts or if you are having almonds you can have 5. Try making your own dark chocolate nuts or dried fruit or you can buy in a good health store.

Crackers with Nut Butter

1 rice cake or oatcake with 1 teaspoon of almond or peanut butter.

Banana Oatmeal Cookie

Ingredients: 2 medium ripe bananas, 1 cup of oatmeal, 1 scoop of rice or whey protein.
Directions: These are so easy to make and if you cook a batch in advance you can keep them in the freezer for when you need them! Mash your peeled bananas in a bowl with a fork and mash well. Add in the scoop of protein and keep mixing. If you find the mixture too thick add a few drops of almond milk or water to make your dough the right consistency. Lastly, mix in the oats. Coat your cookie sheet with olive oil spray, and use a spoon to drop your mixture on. Press down to flatten and bake for 15-20 mins or until golden brown.
 

Protein Hit

Try having chicken or turkey slices, a boiled egg, or a Bounce Protein ball (available in most health food shops and Waitrose). This will keep you full up and sugar levels stable and help you keep those hunger pangs at bay throughout the day! I love the almond and peanut Bounce protein balls but they all taste pretty good – limit these to about 4 per week though as it is tempting to over-indulge! Or you can try any other protein bars for around 150kcal.

Healthy Granola Bars

Ingredients: 1 cup oatmeal, 1 scoop of whey or rice protein, ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes, ½ cup diced walnuts, ½ cup sunflower seeds, 2 tbsp coconut oil, 3 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tbsp ground flax seeds, 1 tbsp ground cinnamon, ¾ tsp ground cloves, ¾ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp sea salt, 1/3 cup raisins, 1/3 cup chopped dates, 2 tbsp honey (optional).
Directions: Preheat the oven to 150 C. Combine all ingredients together, mix well and place in a lightly greased 9×9 inch baking pan. Press down firmly and evenly to help them stick together. Bake for 20 mins or until firm and golden brown. Let cool for 2-3 hours or pop them in the fridge if you are keen to try one. Cut them into 2 inch square pieces for the perfect size snack.