Many pregnant people wake up hungry due to a drop in blood sugar through the night. Or they may wake up feeling nauseated, particularly in the first trimester. In either case, it’s a great idea to have simple, healthy foods available that you can just grab upon waking. For myself, who always wakes up hungry, pregnant or not, I like to have a small meal ready to eat when I first get up, and follow up with a more substantial meal later in the morning. Sometimes, yogurt is my small meal, but if I have the forethought, I love to have overnight oats ready to go for that early morning sustenance.
If you haven’t ever tried overnight oats, they are amazing! You can heat them, if you wish, but I like to eat them cold. There are so many yummy recipes out there, or you can just wing it (I often just throw some oats in a jar with some chia seeds and a spoonful of peanut butter, and cover with milk). If I am really on the ball, I like to prepare a few days’ worth of oat jars, following more creative recipes for the sake of variety. Here are a few yummy ones to try:
Healthy Chocolate and Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Blueberry Lemon Overnight Oats
Oats are such a great food, and especially great for sensitive tummies in early pregnancy. They provide fiber to help avoid constipation and hemorrhoids, and contribute to a healthy cardiovascular system. Adding nuts, seeds, and berries to this whole grain food helps lay a nutritious foundation for another day of baby building. Enjoy!