Low-fat Recipes For Your Second Trimester

It is important to increase your nutritional intake and maintain a balanced diet during your second trimester of pregnancy, so here is a list of some delicious and healthy low-fat recipes.

The first trimester of pregnancy causes a number of hormonal changes that give rise to a series of troublesome symptoms. But during the second trimester , most women have overcome these difficulties.

From the fourth month of pregnancy onwards , your baby begins to grow at a much faster rate than before. And with that, you need to start increasing your calorie intake.

Specialists recommend that you gradually increase your calorie intake by 300 to 400 calories per day. In other words, your total calorie intake per day during your second trimester should be between 2,000 and 3,000 calories per day.

What should you eat during your second trimester?

As the abdomen grows, it is common for pregnant women to experience acid reflux. Then it may help to eat smaller portions during the day, but more often.

For example, rather than eating three meals a day, you should divide your food intake into 6 smaller meals. You should also walk 40 minutes a day to stimulate digestion and prevent constipation.

At the same time, doctors recommend that pregnant women consume carbohydrates that are rich in fiber. For example, you can choose oats, whole grain rice and other grains.

Also, remember to eat plenty of foods rich in iron such as meat, lentils and green leafy vegetables. Iron is important for hemoglobin to form in your baby.

In addition to all these, pregnant women must also eat large amounts of fruits that contain vitamin C, which helps the body absorb calcium and iron.

Four low-fat recipes for your second trimester

You do not necessarily have to change your entire way of eating, but you do need to make sure you get the daily nutrients that you and your baby need.

To help, we want to offer some great low-fat recipes for your second trimester. Try them all!

Creamy green pea paste

If you like pasta, you will love this tasty recipe for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

• 7 to 9 dl pen paste (or any other paste)
• 3.5 dl fresh or frozen green peas
• 100 g turkey bacon
• 2 dl cream cheese or white sauce
• Salt, olive oil and parmesan cheese to taste

Cooking:

• Boil the pasta in water with salt to taste. Add turkey bacon, olive oil and peas to another frying pan and fry for a few minutes.
• When the pasta is cooked, pour off the water and mix the pasta with the fried ingredients.

• Add cream cheese or white sauce and serve with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
• You can vary the recipe by adding pieces of broccoli, carrot or pineapple.

Quinoa salad

This low-fat recipe is a favorite for the second trimester. It is healthy, and provides a large number of nutrients. It is perfect for dinner time, but you can also enjoy it for lunch.

Cooking:

• Boil 2.3 dl quinoa in 7.5 dl low-fat vegetable or chicken broth. Let boil for 20 minutes. Pour off the remaining broth, and allow to cool in the fridge. For extra flavor, fry the quinoa lightly before cooking.

• Rinse, clean and chop the tomatoes and place in a salad bowl. Add cucumber, onion, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and boiled potatoes.
• Mix all the ingredients, including the cold quinoa. Add olive oil, salt and lemon juice to taste.
• Let stand in the fridge for 40 minutes before serving.

Thanks to quinoa and vegetables , this recipe is packed with fiber and vitamins, making it perfect for you and your baby. We recommend that you eat it with a couple of slices of toast.

Fruits with muesli

If you are looking for a sweeter alternative to eating for a snack or breakfast, we have just that! To avoid fatty and sugar-filled products, choose fruit instead.

Cooking:

• Rinse and peel an apple and a pear. Fry in a frying pan with just a little butter.
• Add a tablespoon of honey, two dl whole grain muesli, and two dl raspberries. Let boil for 1 minute on low heat.

• Put all the ingredients in an ovenproof bowl and sprinkle dark chocolate pieces on top. Place in the oven for one minute on medium heat.

Vegetable puree

If you find it difficult to come up with tasty vegetable options, try the following suggestions:

Cooking:

• Boil potatoes, squash, carrots and other vegetables you want. Put aside.
• Fry chopped onion and garlic with optional spices. Stay away from spices that cause indigestion.
• Mix all ingredients thoroughly to create a homogeneous puree.
• Add 1.5 dl skim milk and add cubes of lightly salted cheese on top.

This is an excellent and delicious source of fiber and carbohydrates. You can combine your vegetable puree with a tilapia fillet or chicken breast from the grill.

Here you have four low-fat recipes that are perfect for your second trimester. Also, be sure to consult your doctor for more personal advice according to your nutritional needs.