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Simple Meal Planning - Plan to Eat

40+ Amazing Pregnancy Snacks with Tons of Protein

May 18 Breastfeeding Moms

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What do you eat during pregnancy when you are absolutely famished? Why, you turn to a delicious protein-loaded pregnancy snack, of course! There’s no better way to fill you up and give you the energy you need to make it to the next meal.

It wasn’t until about half way through my second pregnancy that I really started to understand how important protein is in pregnancy. And I didn’t do much about it until this third pregnancy. While the average person only needs about 40-50 grams of protein a day, pregnant and breastfeeding women need at least 70 and ideally more like 80-100 grams IN ONE DAY! Talk about pretty much doubling what you’re used to!

I thought it would be incredibly helpful for you and me to get a good idea of what foods contain protein and their protein amounts, and then share some wonderful protein-loaded pregnancy snacks in case you need some great ideas.

Foods with Protein

Let’s go down a list of foods that have protein. I’ll list these foods by the most abundant to the least abundant (although, each food has different serving sizes to get that amount of protein).

  • Chicken breast, 4 oz. – 29 g
  • Salmon, 4 oz. – 25 g
  • Shrimp, 4 oz. – 24 g
  • Ground beef, 3 oz. – 21.5 g
  • Tuna, canned, 1/4 cup – 16 g
  • Cottage cheese, 1/2 cup – 14 g
  • Pinto beans, 1 cup – 12 g
  • Yogurt, 1 cup – 8-12 g
  • Lentils, 1/2 cup – 9 g
  • Edamame, 1/2 cup – 8.5 g
  • Black beans, 1/2 cup – 8 g
  • Green peas, 1 cup – 8 g
  • Milk, 1 cup – 8 g
  • Peanut butter, 2 T. – 8 g
  • Pumpkin seeds, 1/4 cup – 8 g
  • Quinoa, 1 cup – 8 g
  • Almonds, 1 cup – 7 g
  • Cheddar cheese, 1 oz. – 7 g
  • Chickpeas, 1/2 cup – 6 g
  • Eggs, large – 6 g
  • Oatmeal, 1 cup – 6 g
  • Brown rice, 1 cup – 5 g
  • Chia seeds, 2 T. – 5 g
  • Spinach, 1 cup – 5 g
  • Artichokes, 1/2 cup – 4 g
  • Asparagus, 1 cup – 4 g
  • Avocado, 1 – 4 g
  • Broccoli, 1 cup – 4 g
  • Green beans, 1/2 cup – 4 g
  • Potato, 1 – 4 g
  • Sweet potato, 1 cup baked – 4 g
  • White rice, 1 cup – 4 g
  • Brussels sprouts, 1 cup – 3 g
  • Popcorn, 1 cup – 1 g
  • Flax seed, 1 tsp. ground – .5 g

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!40+ Amazing Protein-Loaded Pregnancy Snacks

Now that you have a basic idea of what foods to eat to get more protein, here are some excellent protein-loaded pregnancy snacks to get you through to the next meal!

For each recipe, I will list the ingredients you need as well as how many people it serves. I would love to take a stab at how much protein you can get by eating one serving, but I’ll let you figure that out, since it could take me several hours for all these recipes!

I was given permission to use the pictures below, so please, please, please do NOT pin these pictures from this post. If you want to pin a specific picture, click on the link and go to that specific post and pin it from there. I (and the owners of the pictures) appreciate it! You can also obviously pin the main image from this post to reference all the recipes.

And, I added popcorn snacks in here even though they don’t give you that much protein. Because popcorn is da bomb. And every small amount counts. 🙂

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Avocado Toast with Eggs from Two Peas and Their Pod
Shallot, spinach, egg, bread, avocado, and tomatoes
Serves 1

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Roasted Chickpeas from This Grandma Is Fun
Chickpeas, olive oil, various seasonings and sweeteners for the different flavors

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Cookie Dough Greek Yogurt from Family Fresh Meals
Plain Greek yogurt, chocolate chips, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and honey
Serves 1

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Spinach Artichoke Dip from Lil’ Luna
Parmesan cheese, spinach, artichoke hearts, garlic, sour cream, cream cheese, and mayonnaise

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Bowls from Mom to Mom Nutrition
Apple, cottage cheese, granola, chia seeds, and cinnamon
Serves 1

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Greek Yogurt Biscuits from Lovely Little Kitchen
Flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, butter, Greek yogurt, and egg
Serves 8

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!10 Minute White Bean Artichoke Basil Toasts from Pinch of Yum
Garlic, white beans, basil, lemon, olive oil, artichoke hearts, spinach, and bread
Serves 10

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Apple Oat Greek Yogurt Muffins from Running with Spoons
Flour, old-fashioned oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, egg, plain Greek yogurt, applesauce, brown sugar, vanilla extract, apple, and raisins
Serves 12

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Cranberry Almond Protein Bars from Gimme Some Oven
Almonds, puffed rice cereal, dried cranberries, coconut flakes, brown rice syrup, honey, and vanilla extract
Serves 8

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Fudgy Maple Flourless Black Bean Brownies from Eating Bird Food
Black beans, eggs, coconut oil, cocoa powder, sea salt, vanilla extract, pure maple syrup, and chocolate chips
Serves 16 (or 4 very hungry pregnant women 🙂 )

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Spinach Artichoke Hand Pies from Will Cook for Smiles
Pre-made pie crusts, frozen chopped spinach, artichoke hearts, garlic, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and egg white
Serves 4

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Salted Lime Popcorn from My Sequined Life
Coconut oil, salt, popcorn kernels, and a lime
Serves 7 or 8 (1 cup servings)

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Energy Bites from Chef Savvy
Peanut butter, chocolate chips, old-fashioned oats, ground flax seed, and honey
Serves 12 (1 bite per person)

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Avocado Bacon and Eggs from Lil’ Luna
Avocado, eggs, bacon, and cheese
Serves 1

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Sweet and Spicy Rosemary Bar Nuts from Good Life Eats
Unsalted nuts, olive oil, rosemary leaves, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, dark brown sugar, maple syrup, coarse salt, and unsalted butter

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Deviled Avocado Eggs from To Simply Inspire
Hard-boiled eggs, avocado, lime juice, cilantro, garlic powder, and paprika
Serves 3-6

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Avocado Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie from A Cookie Named Desire
Avocado, frozen banana, cocoa powder, peanut butter, vanilla almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract
Serves 1-2

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!5 Minute Black Bean Dip from Cookin’ Canuck
Black beans, salsa, garlic, lime juice, ground cumin, and cilantro
Makes 2 and 3/4 cups

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Breakfast Banana Split from Natural Noshing
Banana, cottage cheese, fruit preserves, ground flax seed, chia seeds, and nuts
Serves 1

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Skinny Peanut Butter Dip from Crazy for Crust
Plain Greek yogurt, peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and dippers (apples, celery, carrots, chocolate chips, etc.)
Makes 1 cup

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Falafel from Gimme Some Oven
Garlic, chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, onion, flour, lemon juice, baking powder, ground cumin, and oil
Makes 16-18 falafels

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!Avocado Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip from Cooking Classy
Plain Greek yogurt, avocado, lime juice, and Ranch mix

Unfortunately, there are no pictures for the next ones, but these are also fabulous ideas!

Avocado Cucumber Egg Salad (eggs, cucumber, avocado, mayo, paprika, bread) from The 36th Avenue

Chocolate + Black Bean Smoothie (black beans, almond milk, vanilla extract, peanut butter, spinach, frozen banana, and cocoa powder) from (Never) Homemaker

Garlic Herb Roasted Nuts (raw mixed nuts, egg white, sea salt, rosemary, ground sage, garlic powder, and smoked paprika) from Little Bits Of

High Protein Energy Balls (almonds, chickpeas, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla) from Happy Healthy Mama

Avocado Banana Smoothie (bananas, coconut water, avocado, honey, ice cubes, cinnamon, and vanilla extract) from Popsugar

FroYo Berry Bites (almond meal, coconut sugar, coconut oil, plain Greek yogurt, honey, and strawberries or raspberries) from SkinnyMs.

Margherita Pizza Popcorn (yellow popcorn kernels, kosher salt, oil, dried oregano, dried basil, sundried tomatoes, butter, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil) from Nosh On.It (link no longer available)

Oven Roasted Artichokes with Roasted Garlic Butter (artichokes, lemons, olive oil, garlic, fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, and salted butter) from From a Chef’s Kitchen

Creamy Chocolate and Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt Popsicles (Greek yogurt, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and sugar) from Ella Claire

Rosemary Parmesan Garlic Popcorn (fresh rosemary, garlic, olive oil, garlic salt, popcorn kernels, and Parmesan cheese) from Five Heart Home

Other really simple protein-loaded pregnancy snacks:

  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Yogurt parfaits
  • Smoothies (you can add beans, spinach, Greek yogurt, nuts, oats, etc.)
  • Almonds with raisins or craisins
  • Hummus with fresh veggies
  • Avocado with a sprinkle of sea salt (thanks for this suggestion from reader, Jessi!)
  • Apples with cheese
  • Cottage cheese with fruit
  • Baked sweet potato sprinkled with flax seed

I hope you got some great ideas for getting more protein in your pregnancy diet!

Having trouble getting the extra protein you need for your pregnancy? These protein-loaded pregnancy snacks are perfect for increasing your intake!

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  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Charlee Flaminio
Charlee Flaminio
I'm a mom of 3 on a journey to feed my family nourishing foods. Personally, I believe you can cook healthy food and still have time for your loved ones.
Charlee Flaminio
Latest posts by Charlee Flaminio (see all)
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By Charlee Flaminio on May 18

Comments

  1. Janeen says

    06.03.16 at 4:32 pm

    A resounding, “Yes!!” So many women aren’t aware of how important protein (and good fat) are to pregnancy. I didn’t know anything about it until I used a birth center for my 5th pregnancy and the midwives made a big deal about getting enough fat and protein. It made a HUGE difference in how I felt that entire pregnancy. Thanks for getting the word out on this important topic.

    Reply
    • Charlee says

      06.09.16 at 6:33 am

      It should really be common knowledge, ya know? Thanks so much for sharing how protein helped you in your pregnancy, Janeen!

      Reply
  2. Sapana says

    08.08.16 at 6:15 am

    They all look amazing. Healthy and delicious. They are kids friendly too…

    Reply
  3. Alanna says

    10.14.16 at 8:22 pm

    While overall I LOVE this list! 🙂 I would have to say that edamame really shouldn’t be on it… while a single serving of soy per day is alright if you ok it with your doctor, it does contain high amounts of estrogen which can lead to hormonal issues later in your baby’s life. Just a heads up.

    Reply
  4. Jordan Dixon says

    05.15.18 at 9:55 am

    Many of these are great for postpartum time, too! When your ability to sit down for regular meals is compromised, healthy snacking is imperative! Great suggestions, thank you.

    Reply
  5. Hulleigh says

    11.01.18 at 1:50 pm

    I LOVE YOU! These are going to change my diet and nutrition!

    Reply
  6. Tiana says

    02.03.19 at 6:32 pm

    Tuna is high in mercury and should not be consumed while pregnant

    Reply
    • KC D. says

      05.07.20 at 1:09 pm

      That’s outdated information. Tuna is safe while pregnant. It’s recommended up to 12oz/week of light canned tuna, or 6oz/week of albacore (white) tuna.

      Reply
  7. Kim says

    02.10.19 at 1:37 pm

    The moment I found out I was pregnant this time I continuously snacked to avoid feeling nauseous unlike my first pregnancy and I am feeling SO good because I’ve been trying to eat lots of protein (I wasn’t even told this, my wonderful instincts just knew this time around). Didn’t know about the fats though. Healthcare in Canada may be free for lots of things but that doesn’t mean its good healthcare! Im very much in the dark about so much so I look to people like you to help guide me. So THANK YOU! These are wonderful ideas. I pinned most of these peoples posts.

    Reply
    • Charlee Flaminio says

      02.12.19 at 2:07 pm

      Good luck with your pregnancy, Kim! So happy you have found these ideas useful 🙂

      Reply
  8. Jacadi says

    01.21.23 at 3:39 pm

    Some of the ingredients to these snacks and foods are dangerous to consume during pregnancy. Parsley and cinnamon are MAJOR causes of miscarriages in early pregnancy. Ask a doctor than reading online sources. While these snacks sound good, its not safe

    Reply

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I used to struggle big time with getting veggies into my family's meals. After several years and much trial and error, though, I now believe you can cook healthy food and still have time for your loved ones. Click here to find out more.

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