Pregnancy lunch & dinner ideas

Snacking

Pregnancy lunch & dinner ideas

Because your growing baby gets all the nutrients they need during pregnancy from you, eating a healthy balanced diet is essential.

During your pregnancy, the guidelines for what constitutes a healthy diet are pretty much the same as they always were, although, of course, there are certain foods you’ll need to avoid whilst you're pregnant.

Here we’ll be exploring some healthy pregnancy lunch ideas, tasty pregnancy dinner ideas and some healthy vegetarian dinner recipes for pregnancy. We’ll also look at what to eat if you’re experiencing nausea and morning sickness.

Recipes

If you’re stuck for ideas when it comes to pregnancy lunch and dinner recipes, you’ll find all the inspiration you need here. You can also download our free pregnancy meal planner to help you maintain a healthy and delicious diet as your pregnancy progresses.

Miso soup

Miso soup

Healthy and aromatic, miso soup is both easy to prepare and nutritious, making it a great pregnancy lunch idea and one that’s perfect if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Here's our miso soup recipe to get you started.

Salmon tray bake

Salmon traybake

During pregnancy. It’s recommended that you eat 2 portions of fish a week as part of a healthy diet, one of which should be an oily fish such as salmon. Eating more than one portion of oily fish isn’t advisable, as it can contain toxins1.

There are a number of delicious suitable-for-pregnancy salmon recipes out there, but this easy to make salmon and vegetable tray bake is as good as it gets, being both easy to make and incredibly tasty.

Pesto pasta salad

Pesto pasta salad

When it comes to healthy pregnancy lunches, a delicious pasta salad ticks all the boxes. Use wholemeal pasta for some added fibre and take your pick from any number of ingredients to make a healthy pregnancy lunch or dinner.

Why not try this simple pesto pasta combination? Perfect for a quick work lunch or a new family favourite.

Chicken soup

Chicken soup

Hearty and delicious, chicken soup during pregnancy (or at any time for that matter) is like a warm comfort blanket. It’s packed full of protein and vegetables to provide additional vitamins and minerals. The added bonus? It’s the perfect way to use up any leftover roast chicken.

Here's a quick and easy recipe for a tasty chicken soup.

Potato salad

Potato salad

There are few things more satisfying than a creamy potato salad and there’s no reason why you can’t continue to enjoy it during your pregnancy. Potato salad is made with mayonnaise, and whilst this contains raw egg, it’s perfectly safe to eat as long as it’s made with Laid in Britain or British Lion Code eggs3.

Here's a quick and easy recipe for a tasty lunch or dinner side dish.

Bland dinner ideas if you're feeling nauseous during pregnancy

Morning sickness can be difficult to deal with, particularly if you’re struggling to eat because of a lack of appetite. It can leave you feeling drained and lacking in energy.

When it comes to bland dinner ideas for pregnancy, it’s best to eat little and often, avoiding bigger meals and instead going for smaller portions. You might also find that cold rather than hot meals are easier on your stomach4.

Whilst bland dinner ideas for pregnancy may not fill you with excitement, foods that are big in flavour, spicy or heavy probably won’t help with nausea. Stick to small meals and snacks such as dry toast, simple soups and crackers and bananas until your appetite gradually comes back.

Pregnancy lunch ideas for work

If you’re working during your pregnancy, it’s good to have some handy recipes you can whip up quickly and easily to ensure that you’re eating well whilst you’re away from home.

In addition to the pasta, potato salads and sandwiches we’ve suggested above, there are plenty of other pregnancy lunch ideas for work for you to choose from.

If you’ve got access to a microwave, why not make beans on wholemeal toast or a jacket potato? You could also bulk make your soup of choice so  you can simply defrost a portion the night before, leaving you with no preparation to do at all before you head to work. And for something super simple, chop up some raw veggies such as carrots and cucumber and enjoy with hummus and wholemeal bread.

Our handy pregnancy meal planner is the perfect way to plan your meals week by week, ensuring that you’ll have the inspiration you need whether you’re at home or on the go.

Vegetable lunch & dinner recipes for pregnancy

If you follow a vegetarian diet, there are so many different recipe ideas to keep you both healthy and satisfied during your pregnancy. Vegetables are incredibly versatile, and whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a more hearty dinner, the options are endless.

Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

  • Vegetarian lasagne - perfect for cooking and freezing in bulk.
  • Hearty vegetable stew - use courgettes and peppers for a Mediterranean feel or a mix of root vegetables for a more hearty flavour.
  • Naan bread pizza - simple to prepare and the perfect opportunity to top with a mix of nutritious vegetables.
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