If you’re pregnant, protein shakes are a delicious way to get extra calories and nutrients into your diet. And if you’re new to this world, we’ll share the best protein powders for pregnancy, healthy protein shake ingredients, and some delicious smoothie recipes.
We’ve broken it down to:
- Best protein powder for pregnancy
- 3 top ingredients for pregnancy smoothies
- 3 super healthy protein shake recipes for pregnant moms
Pregnant Protein Shakes?
That’s right. Protein is essential for building muscle and repairing tissues so it will give your growing baby a healthy head start!
Protein also makes you feel fuller longer, so it will help you to avoid that box of cookies when those pregnancy cravings strike.
Lastly, if you’re plagued with morning sickness, and can’t stomach solid food – a protein shake may be your best bet in getting some nutrients into you – especially if you blend in extra ingredients like berries, spinach, and avocado.
Is Protein Powder Safe During Pregnancy?
This is something to take up with your own OB, but in general, high quality protein powder that doesn’t have toxins or high sugar is safe for pregnancy. Trouble is, some powders may contain additional ingredients – like caffeine – that’s not specifically approved as “safe for pregnancy.”
So when choosing your protein powder, stick with high-quality basics, preferably designed for pregnant women.
Best Protein Powders for Pregnancy
Boobie Body Protein Shake
Best protein powder for pregnancy because:
- 19g of protein per serving
- Totally organic
- Plant-based protein
- Has 9 organic superfoods
- 1000 IUs of Vitamin D
- Made especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women
- 2 flavors: chocolate and vanilla cookie
Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein
Best protein powder for pregnancy because:
- 22g of protein per serving
- Totally Organic
- Plant-based protein
- Sugar-free
- 4 flavors: chocolate, vanilla, unflavored, and vanilla chai
Vital Protein Collagen Peptides
Best protein powder for pregnancy because:
- 18g of protein and 20g of collagen per serving
- Grass-fed bovine collagen promotes the development of healthy skin, hair, nails, and ligaments
- Your daily dose of vitamin C
- 2 flavors: chocolate and unflavored
Pink Stork Collagen Powder
Best protein powder for pregnancy because:
- 10g of protein and 11g of collagen per serving
- 2 flavors: pina colada and pink lemonade
Top Smoothie Ingredients for a Healthy Pregnancy
Spinach
Spinach is a leafy green veggie that’s packed full of nutrients for a healthy pregnancy diet. But if you’re tired of having salads, spinach blends quite nicely into a protein shake or smoothie.
Spinach is full of:
- Folate – a pregnancy essential that aids neural tube formation
- Fiber – the nutrient that will help maintain mom’s digestion
- Iron – helps moms blood deliver oxygen throughout her body (and to baby!)
- Calcium – needed for healthy bones and teeth
- Vitamin A – helps eye development
Avocado
Avocados are delicious any way you slice them AND they’ll make your smoothie extra creamy and smooth.
Avocados are a great source of:
- B vitamins – important for a healthy pregnancy and immune system
- Vitamin C – helps absorb iron and boosts immune system
- Omega 3 fatty acids – needed for brain and heart health
- As well as fiber and vitamin A
Berries
Berries are full of antioxidants – the nutrient that will help mom and baby’s cells stay healthy and keeps their immune systems up – and they’re also a good source of water and fiber. Not to mention, berries are perfect for the mom who can’t stomach anything else.
Dairy and Alternatives
Dairy’s not for everyone, but there’s no denying that it’s an easy choice for protein shakes and a great source of calcium. Milk also helps mom up the intake of vitamin D – essential for calcium absorption!
Of course, if dairy’s not for you, there are tons of alternatives like almond milk and oat milk.
Read more about:
9 Pregnancy Diet Essentials (Your Complete Guide)
3 Easy Pregnant Protein Shakes
The Super-Simple Vegan Pregnant Protein Shake
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 1 ripe banana
- ½ cup of spinach leaves
- 1 ½ cup of vegan milk alternative
- 1 tablespoon of almond butter
- 1 scoop of unflavored protein powder
Why we love it:
You’ll love blending this protein shake in the morning because it’s SO SIMPLE! The almond butter adds protein and healthy fats and the banana provides a dose of vitamin B6. We also love that this smoothie’s not too sweet and not too thick. It’s the kind of protein shake you make when you’re running late and drink on your way to work.
The No-Banana Vegan Pregnant Protein Shake
Ingredients (serves 2)
- ½ ripe avocado
- 1 cup spinach leaves
- 1 ½ cups juice or water
- 2 scoops of unflavored or vanilla protein powder
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- Garnish with hemp or flax seeds for even more omega 3s and fiber
Why we love it:
This smoothie serves just enough creaminess and is oh-so refreshing! It’s full of protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants, not to mention baby-friendly vitamins – all while being vegan! The juice and the blueberries will make this protein shake burst with tangy flavor while still not being too sweet.
Fun substitute: Try a chocolate protein powder for a richer flavor, but opt for one scoop instead of two.
The Super-Creamy Pregnant Protein Shake
Ingredients (serves 2)
- 2 cups milk or alternative
- 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder
- 2 tablespoons of almond butter
- ½ ripe avocado
- 1 ripe banana
- 2 cups of spinach leaves
- Avocado pit (optional, if you have a good blender)
Why we love it:
Warning! This extra-creamy protein shake is so filling, you’ll have to dedicate your whole morning to it! (But it’s oh-so worth it.) It’s full of calcium, healthy fats, vitamins, and of course – protein! Plus, it’s perfect if you’ve been craving sweets.
By the way, it might sound crazy, but avocado pits blend easily and are full of vitamins and antioxidants! You won’t even notice it in this thick smoothie.
Pregnant Protein Shakes – Bottom Line
- Protein is essential for a growing baby, and protein shakes are an easy way for moms to consume it
- Pair your protein shakes with pregnancy-friendly ingredients like avocados,spinach, and berries
- Choose toxin-free protein powders that are safe for pregnancy and don’t contain harmful ingredients