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When you’re pregnant, one of the things you’ll start to think about is what you’ll eat while you are in labor and what are the best snacks for your hospital bag. You might be wondering if you can bring food to the hospital or if there are any snacks that will make labor easier. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we will discuss healthy snacks that are perfect for taking to the hospital bag when having a baby. We will also cover snacks for after labor and snacks for postpartum. And don’t forget about dad! We’ll give some tips for what he can pack in his hospital bag too.
Can You Bring Food to The Hospital When Having a Baby?
It depends where the patient lives. Some hospitals don’t allow pregnant mothers to be eating, drinking, or consuming liquid during pregnancy.
This restriction was originally intended to help pregnant women to be ready for emergency surgery and general anesthesia.
However, in a systematic review, the Cochrane Review found that consuming liquids during labor did not affect women.
Should New Dad Also Pack Snacks for The Hospital?
Dad can also pack snacks for labor and delivery on his own. He will feel more comfortable if he eats a few bites throughout labor and after birth too, so make sure that his hospital bag has some.
Also, remember that your partner can become dehydrated while laboring. So, don’t forget to bring enough water, juices, or even better some coconut water! Dad must also stay hydrated while supporting mom through the birth (and all day).
35 Best Hospital Bag Snacks to Take For Labour
When you’re in labor, it’s important to have snacks that will give you energy and help keep you going.
Some good options are trail mix, fruit bars, granola bars, or crackers and cheese.
You might also want to pack a few snacks that can easily be eaten with one hand, like yogurt tubes, fruit snacks, dried fruits.
Here are 35 great snacks ideas to pack in your hospital bag and why they’re so great.
1. Apples and Bananas
Apples and bananas are excellent healthy snacks. They are on top of my list. I believe that they are one of the greatest hospital snacks.
They may help you to keep your blood sugar levels stable, which can help with contractions. Apples are also good for you because they have lots of Vitamin C and fibers. On the other hand, bananas are rich in potassium, iron, and calcium.
2. Trail Mix
Trail mix is great because it’s most likely already pre-packaged and easy to carry with you, along with other snacks in your hospital bag, especially for those days when you’re stuck in the hospital longer than expected. It has a variety of healthy ingredients, such as nuts and dried fruits.
It typically has a nice balance of carbs, protein, and healthy fats to keep both your body and brain energized.
This is especially important during labor, so don’t forget to put a bag or two in your hospital bag.
3. Fruit Bars
Fruit bars are similar to granola bars but typically have more natural fruit in them and less processed sugars that come with making granola bars.
They make a great snack because they give you the energy of carbohydrates but also plenty of antioxidants from fruit which can help fight that inevitable swelling you’ll experience after giving birth.
4. Crackers and Cheese
Crackers and cheese are another excellent snack option for labor because they’re easy to eat, give you carbs for energy, and take less time to digest than other snacks like fruit or yogurt tubes that can sit in your stomach longer when you’re in labor. This means you’ll have more energy to keep pushing.
5. Muffins
Cupcakes, donuts, or muffins are another good snack to have in your hospital bag during labor that gives you plenty of quick energy carbs. They’re typically low in fiber, so they digest quickly.
These options also make lovely snacks for visitors to bring you during your stay at the hospital.
6. Chocolate Milk
Chocolate milk is an excellent snack for recovery after having a baby because it’s full of protein to help you recover, is easy to digest, and tastes delicious.
You might even feel like having a second serving! And we won’t judge you if you do.
7. Granola Bars
Granola bars are a good option for those who love cereals and want a similar snack during their hospital stay but don’t want to deal with all the bowl washing! These typically have a lot of added sugars, so read the ingredients to ensure you’re getting a healthy one.
8. Ginger Ale
Ginger Ale is an excellent option to bring in your hospital bag for labor because it can help with nausea that comes with early delivery or if you’ve had an epidural.
It also has ginger in it, which is proven to reduce nausea, vomiting, and pain, among other benefits.
9. Yogurt Parfait
Yogurt parfaits are an excellent option because they provide protein from the yogurt, carbs from the granola, healthy fats if it’s topped with nuts, and antioxidants from any fresh fruit added to it.
Keep this snack low in sugar by opting for organic yogurt without added sugars or flavors and fresh fruit instead of dried fruits! You’ll get that sweetness you crave while still being able to eat healthily.
10. Popcorn
Popcorn is another great snack to take to the hospital for labor because it’s easy to eat, doesn’t require much effort to chew, and can be enjoyed while watching your favorite TV show on Netflix. Ok, maybe not if you’re busy pushing!
11. Cheerios Cereal
Cheerios are a great snack because they’re easy to eat, have carbs from the oats, and a bit of protein from the milk.
They make a good choice for your hospital bag because they digest quickly but will sustain you for a while since they are typically low in sugar or super-processed ingredients.
12. Crispy Chickpeas
If you are looking for healthy and crunchy hospital bag snacks, crispy chickpeas are a great option because they’re delicious and easy to eat.
Also, eating this may help with any nausea you might be experiencing during your pregnancy or labor.
13. Smoothie
Smoothies are a good option because they’re easy to carry around one-handed, are tasty, and give you that protein for muscle recovery if made with Greek yogurt.
They can be high in sugar, depending on what you put into them, so make sure to check the ingredients before drinking them if you’re buying them. Obviously, it will be better to prepare it yourself and bring it in a tumbler with a lid and a straw.
14. Energy Balls
If you are looking to pack snacks that will energize you, what better than energy balls, also called energy bites. They are a good snack option for labor because they’re easy to eat, energy-packed, and taste delicious.
You can also make your own energy balls at home by mixing together ingredients like oats, peanut butter or almond butter, honey, chocolate chips (if you’re up for it!), seeds of any kind, etc.
15. Healthy Chips
Healthy chips like kale, seaweed, apples, or banana chips are good options because they give you the satisfying crunch of a chip without all of the added sodium and fat.
These can be hard to find in stores but typically come in single-serving packs for easy snacking on the go.
16. Rice Cakes
Rice cakes are another excellent choice for hospital snacks because they have carbs for energy and are easy to eat with one hand.
17. Breakfast Sandwich
Breakfast sandwiches are a good choice because they have protein from the eggs, carbs from the bread, and healthy fats if you choose an organic egg option with cheese or avocado!
18. Nutella & Go Hazelnut Spread With Breadsticks
While Nutella it’s not the healthiest snack choice, it tastes amazingly delicious. The convenient snack pack can be easily broad into your hospital bag.
19. Beef Jerky
While Beef Jerky or Jerky, in general, is not safe for pregnant women, and you should absolutely NOT EAT IT, it can be an excellent snack for your partner.
20. Applesauce
Applesauce is another snack that keeps it simple! It’s easy to eat and digest, meaning you’ll have more energy for pushing during labor.
Apples are also a great source of antioxidants which can help fight off any swelling you might experience after giving birth. Have I mentioned I love apples? I do.
21. Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are a go-to for hospital visitors because they’re easy to eat, give you that muscle recovery protein from the egg itself, and provide healthy fats.
Some hospitals don’t allow outside food so make sure you check before you stock up!
22. Water and Juice
Regular water, coconut water, and juices are good options because they give you the electrolytes you’ll need to recover after giving birth and can be easily stored in your hospital room’s fridge whenever you need them throughout the night.
Don’t forget to drink at least one glass of water before you head to the hospital! Your body will thank you.
23. Fruit Leather
Fruit leather is an easy option to grab on your way out the door because it’s portable, tasty, and healthy for you. It also doesn’t have any added sugars, which are common in many juice boxes and fruit snacks.
Make sure to check the packaging, though, to make sure you’re getting a healthier option!
24. Jello Snack Pack
Jello is a good option because it’s portable, easy to eat one-handed, and has carbs from the jello itself.
There are quite a few brands out there that have sugar added which should be avoided, so make sure to read the ingredients before purchasing!
25. Hummus and Pita Bread
Hummus and pita bread are good options because they are portable, easy to eat with one hand and provide good carbs and nutrients. Just make sure there are no added sugars or hydrogenated oils!
26. Cheese Sticks
If you’re not lactose intolerant, cheese sticks are a good option because they’re easy to eat and don’t require much chewing.
Make sure you choose organic cheese if possible since conventional can contain growth hormones.
27. Veggie Straws
Veggie straws are a good option because they’re light and easy to pack. Because they’re so thin, they don’t require much chewing, which is nice if you have stitches!
28. Honey Sticks
Honey sticks are a good option because they’re easy to carry around one-handed, come with their own serving size, and give you that carb boost for energy.
They are also very convenient to carry in your hospital bag.
29. Pineapple
Fresh fruits such as pineapple are always an excellent choice if you are looking to pack healthy snacks. Pineapple is a natural anti-inflammatory fruit, which makes it perfect for soothing muscles that are sore from labor!
Make sure to stock up on this delicious fruit and bring some in your hospital bag.
30. Graham Crackers
Graham crackers are another snack that’s easy to hold in your hand because they’re small enough to eat without much chewing.
31. Pudding Cup
Pudding cups are a good choice because they’re easy to eat, provide healthy carbs from the milk itself, and have some added protein from the pudding mix!
32. Pretzels
While pretzels are not the healthier snack choices, they can still be tasty and crunchy to eat.
33. Whole Grain Toast
It’s an easy snack option that provides healthy carbs for muscle recovery and tastes great when topped with peanut butter and banana slices!
34. Dates
Dates are excellent energy-boosting snacks. They are known to provide lots of health benefits, including improved digestive health! If you don’t have them in your fridge already, get some ASAP so you can take advantage of all the great nutritional benefits dates have to offer.
Eating dates during labor can even help regulate your blood sugar levels, so you don’t go through another cycle of feeling great, followed by crashing.
35. Vegetables in Ziplock Bags
You may want to bring in your hospital bag some pre-cut vegetables such as peppers, baby carrots, celery, and cucumbers. You can simply put them in a ziplock bag. The ideal is to have an insulated lunch bag.
They are an excellent healthy snack that won’t take up too much space in your hospital bag.
What About Some Snacks for After Labor?
After you have given birth, you’re often starving. If you’re breastfeeding, then the most important snack, in your opinion, is a protein-packed snack or meal to help your body produce plenty of milk. Ideally, you want something that will leave you feeling full and satisfied for extended periods. Some great examples include the following:
- Protein shakes (make them in the microwave and add a few ice cubes to cool them down).
- Scrambled eggs or egg whites with toast or veggies.
- Greek yogurt with granola and berries.
- Taco salad using ground turkey meat, black beans, lettuce/tomatoes, salsa, cheese, avocado -Stir-fried veggies over rice.
After labor, you will also want to make sure to drink plenty of fluids.
What Are Some Healthy Snacks for Postpartum?
After all of the excitement is over and your baby has been born, you might be wondering what you can do to help yourself recover. One thing that many women find helpful early on postpartum is a light meal or snack that will give them the energy they need for breastfeeding. Some good options are:
- Scrambled eggs
- Breakfast sandwich with veggies/cheese/ham
- Fruit salad with yogurt
- Smoothie made with fruit, Greek yogurt, and a few ice cubes
- Greek yogurt with granola and berries.
Snacks for postpartum are also helpful if you’re feeling too tired or weak to prepare anything more than just snacks. You might not feel hungry enough for a whole meal, but you’ll still need the extra energy and nutrients to keep yourself going.
Final Thoughts On The Best Snacks To Take To The Hospital For Labour
Snacks such as fruits, yogurt, energy bars, dried fruits, and smoothies (with protein) will help you build up energy before labor and quickly recover after delivery. They’re also the perfect snacks to keep your partner energized throughout labor.
Dad is just as involved in the pregnancy and labor/delivery process as a mom. So, don’t be afraid to ask for what you would like from him when it comes to your snacks!
If you have any concerns about the safety of any of the mentioned snacks, please ask your medical professional for advice.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post on bringing snacks to the hospital while having a baby! What did you eat/drink in labor? Let me know in the comments below!
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Wow! This is quite a comprehensive list! Youβve made some mamaβs life very easy. Thanks for sharing!
So much time is spent on packing your clothing and baby necessities that I don't think the average person thinks about healthy snacks to pack too! This is such a great post filled with wonderful ideas of snacks to pack in your "labor" hospital bag!