I don’t know about you but, for me, healthy eating during pregnancy proved much more difficult than I’d imagined it to be. Honestly, the whole concept of eating was pretty nauseating. Quick, and easy snacks were my go-to. Quick because I didn’t want to think about (or smell) food for too long and easy because, as a working mom, I need snacks I can take on the go! As VBAC moms, we often find ourselves honing in on our nutrition to support healthy pregnancies and stamina for birth.
Today, I am sharing some of my favorite snacks for pregnancy and using the ultimate hack to get radically better nutrition incorporated into my snacking… using the prenatal vitamin powder and collagen powder from Needed! These two products from Needed are my favorite because they’re easy to incorporate into a variety of foods for a boost of delicious nutrition. As a reminder, Needed was so amazing and supportive of VBAC mamas and got us 20% off code. Use code VBAC20 at checkout for 20% off your first order.
The Prenatal Powdered Vitamin is another holy grail product of theirs. For those who have a hard time with capsules, this powder contains the prenatal nutrients you need, incorporated into yummy recipes!
The Collagen powder dissolves so easily into everything I make with it, from smoothies to baked goods, it’s a game-changer. Collagen is important for VBAC moms as it supports skin elasticity, tissue repair, and joint health during the physical demands of childbirth. Additionally, collagen aids in maintaining hair and nail strength, which may be affected by changes during pregnancy and postpartum.
Now, let’s get into those recipes…
Image credit: Syda Productions
Strawberry Peach Needed Prenatal Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup frozen peaches
- ½ of a banana
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1 scoop of Needed’s prenatal multi powder
- 1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
- Splash of orange juice (about 1/4 cup)
- Handful of spinach leaves
- 1 scoop Needed’s collagen powder
- Optional: Honey or maple syrup to sweeten, to taste
Instructions:
- In a blender, combine the frozen strawberries, frozen peaches, hemp seeds, prenatal powder, almond milk, splash of orange juice, spinach leaves, and collagen powder.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the smoothie and adjust sweetness if necessary by adding honey or maple syrup, if desired. Blend again briefly to incorporate any additional ingredients.
Image credit: Amallia Eka via Getty Images
Needed Collagen Protein Balls with Dates
This recipe is great for mommas trying to incorporate more dates into their diets for labor preparation!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pitted dates, softened (soak in warm water for 10 minutes if not soft)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup almond butter (or any nut or seed butter of choice)
- 2 scoops Needed collagen powder
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional, for extra sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional add-ins: shredded coconut, cocoa powder, chia seeds, or mini chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Prepare Dates: If your dates are not already soft, soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften them up. Drain well before using.
- Blend Ingredients: In a food processor, combine the softened dates, rolled oats, almond butter, collagen powder, chopped nuts, honey or maple syrup (if using), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
- Blend Until Smooth: Pulse the ingredients together in the food processor until a sticky dough forms and all ingredients are well combined. The mixture should easily hold together when pressed between your fingers. If it’s too dry, add a little more almond butter or a splash of water. If it’s too wet, add more oats.
- Form Balls: Scoop out small portions of the dough and roll them into balls using your hands. The size of the balls is up to you, but aim for bite-sized portions.
- Optional Coating: If desired, you can roll the protein balls in shredded coconut, cocoa powder, or any other coating of your choice for added flavor and texture.
- Chill: Place the protein balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Store: Once chilled, transfer the protein balls to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze them for longer storage.
Image credit: Lulia Cozlenco via Getty Images
Vanilla Needed Collagen Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 scoop Needed‘s collagen powder
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- Pinch of salt
- Toppings of your choice: fresh berries, sliced bananas, nuts, seeds, coconut flakes, etc.
Instructions:
- 1. In a mixing bowl or jar, combine the rolled oats, Needed’s collagen powder, Greek yogurt, milk, honey or maple syrup (if using), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir until well combined.
- 2. Cover the bowl or jar (we use these jars) with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4-6 hours, to allow the oats to soften and the flavors to meld together.
- 3. In the morning, give the overnight oats a good stir. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a splash of milk to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve the overnight oats cold, or if you prefer them warm, you can heat them gently in the microwave for 30-60 seconds.
- 4. Top the overnight oats with your favorite toppings such as fresh berries, sliced bananas, nuts, seeds, or coconut flakes.
Image credit: Tyas Indayanti
Chocolate Needed Collagen Pudding Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons chocolate pudding mix (sugar-free or regular, as per preference)
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 scoop Needed’s collagen powder
- 1-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- Splash of milk of choice
- Fresh strawberries, sliced (or any other preferred berries)
- Optional toppings: shredded coconut, chopped nuts, dark chocolate chips
Instructions:
- 1. In a mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, chocolate pudding mix, cocoa powder, Needed collagen powder, and honey or maple syrup. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and the mixture is smooth.
- 2. Taste the pudding mixture and adjust the sweetness by adding more honey or maple syrup if desired.
- 3. Divide the chocolate collagen pudding mixture into serving bowls.
- Top each pudding bowl with sliced fresh strawberries (or any other berries of your choice).
- 4. Add toppings such as shredded coconut, chopped nuts, or dark chocolate chips for extra flavor and texture if desired.
- 5. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the pudding to set and chill before serving.
Image credit: Alisa Farov via Getty Images
Needed Collagen Guacamole
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1-2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 scoop Needed’s collagen powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- 1. Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a mixing bowl.
- 2. Mash the avocado with a fork until desired consistency is reached (some prefer chunky guacamole, while others prefer it smoother).
- 3. Add the chopped red onion, diced tomatoes, minced jalapeño pepper (if using), minced garlic, and fresh cilantro to the mashed avocado.
- 4. Squeeze the juice of one lime over the mixture to add brightness and prevent the avocado from browning.
- 5. Sprinkle the Needed collagen powder over the guacamole mixture and gently stir until well combined.
- 6. Season the guacamole with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting as needed.
- Taste the guacamole and adjust any seasoning or lime juice to your preference.
- 7. Transfer the guacamole to a serving dish and garnish with additional cilantro or a lime wedge if desired
- 8. Serve the collagen guacamole immediately with tortilla chips, sliced veggies, or as a topping for tacos, burritos, or salads.
At the end of the day, sneaking in a boost of extra nutrition is easy with Needed. As you prepare for VBAC, be sure to fuel your body with the nutrients to support a healthy pregnancy. Ready to take a deeper dive into nutrition and pregnancy? Check out this blog and these podcast episodes!
- Learn more about prenatal vitamins with Needed’s founder herself!
- Renay’s VBAC + pregnancy nutrition
- Molly’s VBAC + pregnancy nutrition
8 Tips for Introducing Your VBAC Baby to Big Siblings