I like to delight in the daydream (plant-based weirdo dreams), that if pregnant Beyonce was a smoothie bowl it would be a luscious papaya smoothie bowl with moringa cashew yogurt, activated chia seeds, earthy spices, tropical fruit and coconut syrup.
I think she would approve.
Ps. this juicey recipe is below!!!
So what’s the deal with super-foods anyway and do you need them during pregnancy? Are they really an integral thing or just some way to market expensive, fancy foods to the rich and famous?
Superfoods ARE totes for everyone, I promise. Not just supa stars. And definitely not a trend, but instead a proven proactive way to support pregnancy health like the Maven you are. Eating superfoods during pregnancy will support your body in staying clear from pregnancy related anemia, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
I hear this particular argument a lot: they are expensive and hard to find and how will you integrate them into your life on a regular bases? Also, which ones are the best for you? How much of what is safe to take while preggers and how do you chose them? Right?!
That argument ends here. You’re going to fall crazy in love with how easy and fun it can be to integrate superfoods into your baby body and most of them you probably already use or have in your kitchen..
As promised I want this to be affordable, doable and specific to you. Below I will share the easy principles of integration for the top 17 irreplaceable superfoods to eat while growing mini bae...
Choose one super-weird/ superfood from this list:
All of these super greens are leaders in the superfood category and boast iron, antioxidants, protein, vitamin B1, B6, copper, GLA and Omega 3’s. My current favourite is moringa (maybe because I am living in Bali and can pick it from my garden FRESH, oh bliss!).
The key thing to remember is you do not need them all, just chose one.
Choose three of these super-fat/ superfoods from this list:
- Cashews - fatty fat fat
- Skinless almonds - protein and fat
- Coconut meat - fatty ultra fat
- Sesame seeds - calcium and fat
- Pumpkin seeds - iron and fat
- Hemp hearts - protein and fat
- Sunflower seeds - fat and B6
- Avocado - the bestie fat
The above list includes some of my favourites. All of these contain good fats and fats in combination with proteins increase the uptake and bioavailability of vitamins and nutrients from the aforementioned green baby we have chosen from the first list.
Smrt.
Store your nuts and seeds in airtight glass containers on your countertop so you can easily see them and add them to your morning smoothie/bowl, scramble or avo toast.
Obvi, the avocado does not need to be in a jar.
Check out this avo chart to know when your avo is ripe.
Choose three of these super-sustaining/ super foods from this list
- Cinnamon - blood glucose stabilizer
- Turmeric - anti-inflammatory properties
- Pink salt - micronutrients
- Chia seeds - fibre, phosphorus and omegas
- Cacao powder - magnesium
- Whole Oats - selenium, zinc
I find it really hard to choose just two from the above list, so go ahead have them all, but if you are on a budget then choose two of the spices (the first three) and then one from the remainder of the list for optimal results.
Choose one meal daily that you imbibe completely with your chosen superfoods.
One meal usually translates to a morning smoothie, smoothie bowl, loaded toast or scramble of some kind with your super-food Love On Top!!! (that’s the last Beyonce song reference, I swear).
So, what kind of smoothie bowl are you? Maybe straight up classy blueberry/banana with seeds and cinnamon, or what about spicy pear, ginger, turmeric with activated chia and cacao hemp hearts? The options are limitless.
The Beyonce - A Pregnant Goddess Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients:
½ cup frozen papaya (I usually buy a whole papaya, peel, seed and chop it into pieces then freeze it in a zip lock)
½ cup frozen butternut, kabocha or spaghetti squash (bake the squash the day before whole, peel, seed and then store the flesh in a ziplock in the freezer - or by pre cut frozen squash for simplicity) or use 1 frozen banana, but I like the squash option for less sugar myself
¼ cup water or almond milk
Pink salt to taste (a little sprinkle of makes magic)
¼ cup chia seeds, covered in 1 cup water to activate for 5 minutes
½ cup cashews soaked for 15 minutes
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
1/2 tbsp moringa powder
Pink salt to taste (a little sprinkle of makes magic)
Raw pumpkin seeds
Unsweetened coconut shreds
1 tbsp coconut sugar
½ tbsp hot water
Or
1 tbsp coconut syrup
¼ tsp each cinnamon and turmeric dusted over the top, or add the turmeric to your chia for fun
(golden chia)
Fruit of your choice for the top to make it super sexy like Beyonce, or better yet like you.
Method:
Place chia seeds in jar with water and shake it like crazy, then rest it for a minute, then shake it again-5 minutes-ish total
Soak your cashews in a bowl covered in water for 15 minutes
In a small jar combine 1 tbsp coconut sugar and a little hot water to dissolve it into a thin syrup. This stores in the fridge for a month or longer so double this recipe or even triple it if you would like. Or buy this amazing coconut syrup
In a blender blend the papaya, squash or banana, a pinch of salt and 1/4 cup water or almond milk.
Pour smoothie mixture in a bowl and set in fridge for a few minutes while you make the yogurt.
(I like my smoothie bowls cold, hence the frozen fruit and a little fridge hang time)
Drain the cashews and blend them in Vitamix or blender equivalent. Add moringa, lemon juice and zest, pinch pink salt until smooth and creamy. Put a good sized dollop on top of your bowl. This yogurt stores in your fridge for up to a week and gets more active live culture as it sits.
Top the smoothie bowl with the yogurt, chia seeds, coconut shreds and syrup, pumpkin seeds, spices and fresh fruit for garnish (passion fruit, berries, pineapple and dragon fruit are my fav)
Now take five minutes for yourself and lavish in the gift of superfood sustenance, then get out there and Run The World!
(Aaak!! Sorry, I couldn’t resist another hit)
Love, G
This article was written by the lovely Georgia Morley. Georgia is the Founder of Built For This Baby (B4TB). Georgia is also a Certified Doula, Holistic Nutritionist/classically trained Chef and Registered Yoga Instructor. Follow her adventures at Built For This Baby.