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When I’m breastfeeding, hunger is real! I remember the 2nd night after Rosy was born, we were still in the hospital and I woke up STARVING! Clay was sleeping and I was still super sore and couldn’t move around much on my own yet so I reached and got the only thing I could from the bed. I was chowing down on an entire box of Free to Eat chocolate chip cookies when the night nurse came in. I felt totally busted! She just cracked up, said I deserved a midnight snack and helped me clean up the mess I had made.
Little did I know, that would be a normal part of my life for the next couple of years!! Often times I’ll have to just stop what I’m doing and go grab a snack.
Eating intuitively is also something that has helped me to maintain a strong milk supply with both girls. I do not deprive myself of food at all when I’m nursing. I know that my body is making their food, so it’s my responsibility to give it what it needs!
When it was just me and baby Rosy, I tended to eat many small meals through the day. I would prep a second breakfast or an afternoon smoothie or salad while she was napping. That totally worked for that season.
Now that I have two little ones at home with me, easy to grab snacks are a necessity!
For most of Lucy’s first 8 months, I was eating dairy free, and I always try to eat gluten free. So, I had to think a little bit outside the normal snacking box to satisfy my constant need for food!
These are some of my go-to dairy free and gluten free snacks!
- Healthy Flourless Pumpkin Muffins from Making Thyme for Health
These muffins are SO SO SO good. I have made them for about 3 years now and my love for them has not gone down! We will make a batch a keep them in the refrigerator for quick snacking. Since they have oats, almond butter and pumpkin, they pack much more of a nutritional punch than traditional muffins. These are super toddler and baby friendly too!
2. Oatmeal Energy Balls from Together as Family
Another great snack to make a huge batch of and keep in the fridge for easy access. Me and Clay both love these, and they are really filling since they have oats and peanut butter
3. Larabars
Y’all. I had never had a Larabar until we did Whole30 this year. They’re supposed to be an in emergencies only thing during Whole30, but since I was breastfeeding, I ate one probably every single day! They are so good! There are a ton of flavors and they’re the definition of great and clean ingredients. No sugar, no dairy, no gluten
4. Veggies with Dairy Free Ranch
I love to eat a little bit of ranch on my veggies, and when dairy free, the normal brands are a no go. This brand of ranch was pretty good, and helped me to keep eating raw vegetables through the day.
5. Fruit
The most convenient natural food there is. Grabbing an apple or a handful of grapes was quick and easy. I set apples out in a bowl on the counter so that I can always see them. If I’m particularly hungry, I’ll put a scoop of peanut butter on a few slices to help!
6. Smoothies
Making a smoothie isn’t quite as convenient as grabbing something already made, but it is an easy way to get lots of nutrients and calories while on the go. I love to make a smoothie at the end of naptime and then I’ve got it ready to drink through the rest of the afternoon. Rosy loves to drink a smoothie too, which is a great way to get extra veggies into her!
7. Boiled Eggs
There isn’t anything exciting about a boiled egg, but they are a fantastic way to get some quick and easy protein! We will boil a batch and keep them in the fridge for super quick and easy access. Quick and easy is key when you have little kids!
8. Cheerios
Sometimes you just need something carb-y to really satisfy the hunger! Thank goodness, Cheerios are not only gluten free, but they’re also dairy free!! A quick bowl with almond milk and I’m good to go. These are also the most classic kids snack ever, so we always have them in the cabinet!
9. Gluten Free Pretzels and Homemade Hummus
I’m not the biggest hummus fan, but I do like it sometimes! It’s a nutritional dip that packs a filling punch. We used to buy the packs of hummus from the grocery store, but I found we never finished it before it expired. One day, I threw a can of chickpeas in the blender with some garlic and discovered a way to make a $1 batch of hummus! Making some hummus and keeping it in the fridge is a super quick way to get a filling snack without ever having to set your baby down
10. Rotisserie Chicken
Just like boiled eggs, there isn’t anything exciting about this option, but it’s a great healthy one! I like to buy a rotisserie chicken that’s on clearance at the grocery, they were just cooked the day before and didn’t sell! Sometimes I can score one for just 1 or 2 dollars! I pull all of the meat off of the bone and keep it in a tupperware container in the fridge. Super easy and quick way to get some protein!
These are some of the snacks that helped me to eat enough while breastfeeding and eating dairy and gluten free.
I hope they’re helpful to you!!