Top 10 Easy Snacks for Nursing Moms

This is a question we get asked all the time: What are the best snacks to have on hand after the baby arrives? If you are breastfeeding, you will soon find that you have a little body attached to yours almost all of the time. This can make it difficult to prepare food, let alone eat it.

So today we're giving you a list of the easiest snacks to keep around the house. These are things you can grab and eat easily - even with one hand!

1. Nuts

Nuts are a great snack to have around when you are craving something salty or savory. All you have to do is remove the lid and you're ready to snack away! Almonds and dried walnuts are great sources of calcium, too.

2. Dried Fruit

If you're looking something a little sweet and a little chewy, break out a bag of dried fruit. Dried mangoes will definitely satisfy a sweet tooth. Dried apricots are another great one for nursing moms because they are loaded with calcium, fiber, and antioxidants. 

3. Cheese

Cheese is life. Surely I'm not the only one who feels that way. And it's a super easy and filling snack to have around. Stock your fridge with cheese sticks, babybel discs, or slices of your favorite kind.

4. Pretzels and Hummus

In the mood for something a little crunchy? Why not grab a bowl of pretzels. Pair them with some hummus and you have a filling, protein-packed snack.

5. Hard-boiled Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs are a great make-ahead snack. When you have a few minutes, go ahead and boil four or five and then keep them in the fridge until you're ready to eat them. Eggs are so high in protein that you could even make a meal out of them in a pinch.

6. Nut Butter and Apple Slices

This is another protein rich snack that is great for nursing moms. If you have the time to slice some apples in advance, give them a little squirt of lemon juice to keep them from browning in the fridge. Then when you're hungry, pull them out and dip them in your favorite peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower butter.

7. Protein or Granola Bars

You can't go wrong with a huge stash of protein or granola bars. Buy them in bulk and stash them all over the house - in the kitchen, next to your bed, even in the car. That way when you're starving for something during those middle of the night nursing sessions, you have something easy to tear into.

8. Carrot and Celery Sticks with Dip

If you don't have the time to prepare carrots and celery, just buy the pre-cut packages you can find at the grocery store. Pick up your favorite dip - spinach and artichoke, tzatziki sauce, anything - and you'll have a delicious and healthy snack ready to go.

9. Fresh Berries

Berries make a great snack because they don't require any real prep time - just rinse off and they're ready to eat. Blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are all great sources of antioxidants. Drop on a dollop of whipped cream for a special treat.

10. No-Bake Energy Balls

Even though these require a little bit of prep time, I had to include these yummy no-bake energy balls. Go ahead and double the recipe and then you'll have a convenient and filling snack to last you through the week. You can find our recipe for these here.

So if baby is on the way, head to the store and fill your cart with these super easy and delicious (and healthy, too!) snacks. You won't regret it when you're stuck on the couch nursing a baby for the 1000th time that day.