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I’m always looking for healthier alternatives to dessert, especially since I’m pregnant. Some days I can’t get enough food. It can be easy to reach for something quick (and not so healthy) so I’ve made a big effort to have healthier choices on hand.
Pregnancy is funny that way. Out of no where, I am overcome by a sensation of “I must eat now.” And when it happens, I suggest that no one get in the way of me and the refrigerator.
The kind of food that satisfies me is different, too. I need carbs and a whole lot more healthy fat. I find myself snacking on cereal, bread and cheese, avocados, and peanut butter. It’s not my normal diet.
I wish I could say that I’ve become the guru of pregnancy diets, that I’ve mastered how to eat a healthy and balanced diet while a little life is growing inside of me. That’s not the case. My cravings change from week to week. For several weeks I couldn’t eat enough black grapes. I ate 15 pounds. And loved every last one. Now I’m on a grapefruit and avocado kick. I bought 20 grapefruits a couple of weeks ago. They’re almost gone.
The strangest part is that I don’t enjoy my sweets the way I used to. A bowl of ice cream with some carob chips after dinner used to be one of my guilty pleasures. It doesn’t interest me now. I’d rather have some lentils or a whole grain waffle with, yes, peanut butter.
For those times when I’m craving something smooth and high in protein I’ve been making raspberries & cream parfaits. Note the avocado for healthy fat and cereal an extra crunch.
You can make the berries & cream ahead of time. It’ll keep in the refrigerator for several days.
Other Healthy Gluten-Free Snacks:
- Almost Pumpkin Pie from SS&GF
- Kale Chips from SS&GF
- Granola Bars from She Let Them Eat Cake
- Carrot Cake Cookie Bars from Real Sustenance
If you like Spring Rolls (and, oh how I do!!) stop by Peanut Butter & Co for my recipe.
A high-protein, creamy snack that can also double as breakfast. This recipe is incredibly versatile. Get creative and make it your own.
Ingredients
- 3 cups frozen raspberries
- 3/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 3/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon powdered stevia, or to taste
- 1 ripe avocado
- 6 ounces fresh raspberries
- 1 cup of gluten-free cereal, such as Erewhon Corn Flakes, or 1/2 cup toasted almonds
Instructions
- Set the berries out to thaw in a bowl.
- Once the berries are thawed, put the cottage cheese in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process until smooth.
- Add the Greek yogurt and process until combined and creamy.
- Transfer cottage cheese and yogurt mixture to the bowl with the thawed berries. Mix to combine.
- Add stevia. Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary.
- Put a layer of Raspberries & Cream in the bottom of 4 parfait glasses.
- Add a layer of fresh raspberries, avocado, and cereal or almonds.
- Top off with a layer of Raspberries & Cream, followed with a little cereal or almonds and a few fresh raspberries.
- Add a different fruit, such as sliced banana, fresh blackberries, or kiwi.
- Use your favorite toasted nuts instead of almonds.
- Make multiple layers in the parfait instead of one layer in the center.
Theresa
posted on January 12, 2012 at 10:36 pm
Wow, I never would have thouht to use avacado in this way. I have to admit my sceptisism, is this your pregnancy tastbuds talking?! You pictures sure make it look awesome. I am just curious enough to try it. Maybe.
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Amy Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 9:10 am
@Theresa, Yes, pregnancy taste buds. I don’t have any of those strange cravings you hear about but I do have an intense need for carbs. That’s the most abnormal part for me – I’ve never been a big carb eater. Now, though, I need them. Other than that I still love my fresh food. Just in bizarre quantities.
Hugs,
Amy
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@stampylisa
posted on January 13, 2012 at 9:18 am
this looks tasty but what could I use in place of the cottage cheese, if abstaining from dairy?
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Kristin
posted on January 13, 2012 at 12:41 pm
My sister in law and I were pregnant at the same time and due within 15 days of each other. We both could not get enough grapefruit! We both thought it was strange to have the exact same craving that neither of us had heard of before. We both had boys:)
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
@Kristin, I’m having a little boy, too. Gosh, that grapefruit tastes good.
I love it. Can’t get enough. So bizarre that 3 different women, all carrying boys, want lots of grapefruit.
xoxo!
Amy
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Emma Galloway Reply:
January 23rd, 2012 at 7:54 am
I had an intense craving for lemons during my first pregnancy, which turned out to be a girl! Cottage cheese took on a whole new light too, it tasted like heaven. Lucky I made the most of that craving when I could, cause since having kids I’ve discovered I need to eat mostly dairy-free (and gf). Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!
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Brandon
posted on January 13, 2012 at 2:39 pm
I enjoy incorporating avocado in almost everything. This looks so good! I will be trying this with almonds instead of the cereal, like you suggested. Thanks for giving me a great idea.
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Kim (Cook It Allergy Free)
posted on January 13, 2012 at 2:42 pm
I wondered if the avocado was going to end up in these. LOL What a beautiful idea!! I am going to make these for the kids. They will totally think they are getting the biggest treat and will not even realize all of the yummy health benefits! Great idea. Don’t you love what pregnancy does to the creative process? hehee!!
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
@Kim (Cook It Allergy Free), What would you use to make this dairy-free? I generally enjoy dairy – and this baby is craving it. It’s got to be the calcium because I actually drink milk. Ugh! I would have never considered it before.
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Kim (Cook It Allergy Free) Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
@Amy, I think that to make it dairy free I would puree some soaked cashews with coconut cream and maybe half of a banana and then blend with the berries. Just a thought!
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
January 19th, 2012 at 10:24 pm
@Kim (Cook It Allergy Free), I knew you would have an incredible answer. Thanks, Kim!
InTolerant Chef
posted on January 13, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Sounds great. My last pregnancy I craved vinegar and cream, unfortunately I couldn’t get lactose free cream then, so just had some now and then.i don’t think it was calcium I wanted, more the fat content… Isn’t it funny how pregnancy cravings work?
[Reply]
Christy
posted on January 13, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Hi Amy,
I am so trying to wrap my mind around the avocado in this – I am not opposed it just seems a bit odd – LOL! Mixing the cottage cheese with the yogurt – brilliant! I can’t wait to try this!
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
January 19th, 2012 at 10:25 pm
@Christy, Avocado is such a great source of healthy fat. It’s great in green salads and fruit salad. One of my favs.
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Maggie
posted on January 13, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Gorgeous Amy! My friend’s Mom used to make something similar when we were little and I LOVED them. Raspberries are a fave of mine! Can’t wait to see how baby’s arrival changes your eating
xo
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Cara
posted on January 14, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Hi Amy. This recipe looks great … although I will try to make it with raw dairy or dairy free. I wonder how coconut cream would work ?? I also wanted to share that I just read a Blaylock report on migranes and peanut butter was one of the foods he said had glutamate in it and glutamates can trigger migranes so be careful with your pb cravings
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
January 19th, 2012 at 10:21 pm
@Cara, I’ve had no migraines at all and have been loving peanut butter.
Thanks for the info, though.
You’ll have to try out the coconut cream…I haven’t tried it yet.
Hugs,
Amy
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Sabrina M.
posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:14 pm
Wow, I have never heard of or thought of using avocado for a sweet(ish) application! I’m thoroughly intrigued to give this a try sometime, as I am going to be starting a cleanse soon and am looking for healthy ways to indulge the occasional sweet craving.
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Melissa Darr
posted on January 17, 2012 at 7:57 pm
I had a laugh at your list of foods you eat… I’m pregnant and I am currently in the Black grape phase. Can’t get enough of them! Oh and original corn chips, toast and crackers. Seems the carbs thing is needed when pregnant!
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Amy Reply:
January 19th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
@Melissa Darr, I was craving black grapes last night at 4:00 am…couldn’t sleep. Had to settle for warm milk. I didn’t drink milk before I got pregnant but this baby loves it.
Yes, carbs are needed when pregnant. I eat so much more than I ever did before.
Congrats on your pregnancy! It’s fun to hear where you are on your journey.
Hugs,
Amy
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