organic/natural moms: labor/PP/BFing snacks??

MamaFantastic · March 2014

ok, this is a silly question... full disclosure! but for some reason my brain is scrambled today and i can't form a coherent plan as to what snacks i want to pack for the hospital (and then subsequently have at home for grab-and-go nourishment).

i've thought of protein bars (clif builders bars, rise bars, etc) and fruit leather. what else am i missing? i'm not a nut lover, so almonds/cashews/etc wouldn't work for me. but i AM a snacker... and i don't want to just fill up on crap all day long.

help me brainstorm! i'm a huge food snob and i try to stick as close to a 100% organic diet as possible, so i won't go for stuff like cheez whiz or saltines.

Jessimax · March 2014

For salty snack I make my own toasted pumpkins seeds, roast with olive oil and add whatever spices you like.

Rrrrrachel · March 2014

I don't like prepackaged bars, but I'll definitely be making some lactation bars for the freezer and have stuff like trail mix around.

MamaFantastic · March 2014

Ooh, lactation cookies! My doula makes amazing ones... definitely need to put in an order with her

joyfullyfound · March 2014

At our hospital we were allowed to use the freezer, so we brought natural fruit pops that were wonderful. Apple sauce pouches (like, the baby/toddler food) are nice because you can just suck them empty instead of needing a straw. Hard candies. Sliced fruit or berries. Your favorite juice.

Honestly, I brought tons of snacks with me when I had DD, and all I felt like was juice and popsicles... and even then people around me had to remind me to finish them. But it was still nice to have all the snacks in my bag for the 2 day hospital stay afterward, since the hospital food wasn't great

Serenla · March 2014

I'm tossing in some protein bars, dried cranberries, almonds, and mints.

Rrrrrachel · March 2014

I've never heard of yonanas but I googled and it looks cool! I wonder if I could do the same thing in my Vitamix.

WifeofaComposer · March 2014

I hadn't even thought of packing snacks. The hospital where I labored and gave birth to Skippy wouldn't allow me to eat during labor, and I was only "cleared" to eat Italian ice 2 hours after he was born. I labored for 30 hours in that hospital, running on the fuel of 1 cherry Jolly Rancher. I just assumed that was standard practice. Our current hospital is WAY better, so hopefully they will let me have some snacks.

girliegirl827 · March 2014

Rrrrrachel said:
I've never heard of yonanas but I googled and it looks cool! I wonder if I could do the same thing in my Vitamix.

I'm a lurker that never really posts, but you could def make something similar in the vitamix. I've made this recipe in it and it worked out great. https://civilizedcavemancooking.com/reviews/nom-nom-paleo-food-for-humans-strawberry-banana-ice-cream/

patunia7321 · March 2014

Hmm... snacking. I've been wondering what, if anything, I should be stocking up on. I usually make everything- hummus, yogurt, fruit salads, trail mixes, and package them myself for the week or so. I don't usually have purchased prepackaged snacks around, and I'm not looking forward to the cost or added crap that's in them. I go back and forth between thinking- you're having a baby, of course you'll have time, what else are you going to do?! Or... You're having a baby, ain't nobody got time for that! I love the idea of freezing lactation cookies or bars- Anyone have a good recipe they'd like to share?

RebeccaY1 · March 2014

You could have simple fruit, like apples, oranges, bananas, pears.

I would also make various muffins, like chocolate zucchini, carrot, bran, oatmeal.

Yogurt popsicles (just mix plain yogurt with jam and put into paper cups and place in freezer)

speechie517 · March 2014

jellysparkles said:

Rrrrrachel said:

I've never heard of yonanas but I googled and it looks cool! I wonder if I could do the same thing in my Vitamix.

Definitely worth a shot! If it doesn't work out, you're only out a frozen banana

I freeze bananas and mix with protein powder or cocoa and pb or berries and milk to reach a soft serve consistency in my regular blender and it works! Save your money for cute baby things instead of a yo nana machine

haziedaze · March 2014

Cheese sticks!

MamaFantastic · March 2014

the frozen bread products are a great idea and i will definitely work on recipes like that over the course of the next week or two. my main problem is i'm such a carb whore, and i tend to just make a recipe, freeze it, and systematically eat through it over the course of the new few days, so i don't hold out much hope that i'll be able to save it for a month from now! today at the store i got some organic fruit leather (target has ONE flavor - strawberry - that is organic in their "simply balanced" line) and some clif and nature's path brand granola/energy bars. i was thinking i might do some KIND bars as well... they're all GMO-free and pretty minimal in ingredients. making your own granola bars is a neat idea. that would certainly produce a lot of product.

i'll be making some recipes that are good for freezing and reheating on an individual basis (like my spinach squares and turkey burgers) but those aren't going to be as great for the hospital. at least at this point, i have SOMETHING to pack. that makes me feel better!

MamaFantastic · March 2014

i need to look into this!! i really should buy some protein powder - i used to make smoothies in college with a banana, chocolate protein powder and soy milk. that's something i could totally do post-baby too.

i have a $10 voucher for vitacost.com that i'm itching to use on another order - maybe i'll work on some kind bars, RISE bars (even though they are crazy expensive) and protein powder. good ideas!

SoulTermination · March 2014

What protein powder do you ladies recommend? I've been curious about using them for a while now, but am afraid of potential unknown additives or trace metals and things that could end up in them. *paranoid*

MamaFantastic · March 2014

i'll avoid a soy based protein powder. i plan on researching whey based or possibly even pea or hemp protein powders.

if you want to go with a very basic unflavored whey protein powder, aim for one that has the fewest ingredients possible and contains as close to a 4/1 ratio for calories/grams of protein (since 1 gram of protein is 4 calories). if your serving size has way more than 4 times the calories for however many grams of protein it contains, that's a surefire way to know you have some calories coming from sugary additives.

Rrrrrachel · March 2014

I don't do protein powder, but I will add hemp hearts to smoothies sometimes for extra protein.

yellowjellybeans · March 2014

Have you considered Lara bars? They are all made out of dates as the main ingredient and thereafter there aren't more than 2 or 3 ingredients. Because dates are heavy/rich they keep you fuller longer.

cd92007 · March 2014

Granola and dried cranberries are on my list. Also probably some of those fruit purée things (like for toddlers). They are so good when cold.. Sort of like a smoothie with no dairy.

mrsB68 · March 2014

I second fruits, pb (or almond butter etc) and natural fruit bars. If you have access to a make toast with jam those can be good items. How about things like instant grits, cream of wheat or oatmeal too? And if you have the means for items like cheese you can but the individually wrapped snack ones and add those to your fruit/bread or just snack on alone. I'll probably have DH go out each morning and get a cooler of real goodies because our hospital good suuucks. Also not a huge fan of any 'bars' but I do like the kashi ones, worth a try if you haven't had before.

MamaFantastic · March 2014

kashi frustrates me because they don't claim non-GMO ingredients on their bars

kind, rise and lara are all GMO-free, i believe... and i'm trying to be good about that lately.

i'll have my parents bring things like greek yogurts, fruits, carrot sticks/hummus when they visit after she's born... that should help too.

zoopsiedaisy · March 2014

These may or may not be helpful because they aren't really make ahead type crackers but they are my favorite, high in protein and sooooo delicious!! You may be able to freeze them, though. I haven't tried that. If you have time before to make and try them, super easy by the way, I would.

These are the ingredients in case you don't feel like going to the link.

Endurance Crackers

1/2 cup chia seeds*
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup pepita seeds (or pumpkin seeds)
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1 cup water
1 large garlic clove, finely grated
1 tsp grated sweet onion
1/4 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
Herbamare & kelp granules, to taste (optional)

https://ohsheglows.com/2012/01/31/endurance-crackers/

KarenEliza · March 2014

Mary's crackers to go with all the yummy unpasturized cheese I plan on eating. Forbidden rice balls, Luna bars, oatmeal and fruit

sdo_082989 · March 2014

I made a ton of granola in the crockpot and have it in the freezer. I plan to pack some for the hospital, but mostly I wanted a pretty healthy snack at home for DD and myself that is easy to grab.

I love making it in the crockpot because you don't have to watch it as close and I can cook twice as much at a time.

pineconey · March 2014

My Bradley instructor recommended honey sticks for a quick burst of energy.

MamaFantastic · March 2014

sdo_082989 said:
I made a ton of granola in the crockpot and have it in the freezer. I plan to pack some for the hospital, but mostly I wanted a pretty healthy snack at home for DD and myself that is easy to grab.

I love making it in the crockpot because you don't have to watch it as close and I can cook twice as much at a time.

Recipe, please!!!

sdo_082989 · March 2014

MamaFantastic said:

sdo_082989 said:
I made a ton of granola in the crockpot and have it in the freezer. I plan to pack some for the hospital, but mostly I wanted a pretty healthy snack at home for DD and myself that is easy to grab.

I love making it in the crockpot because you don't have to watch it as close and I can cook twice as much at a time.
Recipe, please!!!

I change up some of the nuts and dried fruit I put in it but it's really simple!

5 Cups rolled oats
1/4 Cup unsweetened coconut
1/4 Cup Oil (original recipe calls for canola but I use coconut oil)
1/4 Cup honey (it won't be very sweet at all with just a 1/4 but I have upped it to a half and it still worked)
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Cup almonds
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup hulled pumpkin seeds

Place the oats, oil, honey, vanilla & almonds in crockpot. Cook uncovered for an hour on high, stirring every 20-30 minutes. Reduce to low, add rest of ingredients, cook for about 4 hours stirring every 20-30 minutes. It's done when it's completely dry

I add dried cranberries or whatever I feel like at the time to mine. The oats will also help with milk supply so I plan to keep a ton of this on hand.

Rrrrrachel · March 2014

I'm also going to ownuo and say that after being on the gestational diabetes diet for three months or more, my snacks are probably going to be Girl Scout cookies, ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, Chinese food . . .

snowclouds · March 2014

SoulTermination said:

What protein powder do you ladies recommend? I've been curious about using them for a while now, but am afraid of potential unknown additives or trace metals and things that could end up in them. *paranoid*

I stick to the protein powders in my natural food store here. They usually have no added sugar and they often have organic versions. I have found that the taste can be really off putting so ask for samples and try them before unless you're going to be mixing it in with other fruits and then that won't be a problem.

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