Snacks that Go with Prenatal Yoga Exercises

Doing prenatal yoga exercises is a great way to maintain health throughout your pregnancy. However, experiencing hunger more frequently can interrupt the flow of your practice. So here are some menu ideas before heading into your prenatal yoga exercises. These meals can be eaten at least two hours before a class, and will still maintain a comfortable feeling of fullness that will last throughout your 90-minute session.

Turkey Chili

The filling effects of protein-rich ground turkey and fiber-dense kidney beans are a perfect pre-yoga meal especially if hunger is striking hard. The addition of lycopene-rich tomatoes and onions adds chromium, a mineral that helps in maintaining healthy blood sugar and insulin levels (not to mention staving off gestational diabetes). However, the key to not overdoing it is proper portion control. Although this is a great meal idea, eating more than a cup in one sitting can result in a bloated feeling of being overly full or uncomfortable flatulence during your class. Eat a portion no larger than 6 ounces and consume at least two hours before beginning your prenatal yoga exercises. Making your own pot of chili is preferred to the sodium-heavy canned varieties in grocery stores.

Veggie Bowl

If you are a yogi that follows a vegetarian diet, opt instead for this Asian veggie bowl. In a skillet with a teaspoon of olive oil, sauté cubed pieces of firm tofu with any fiber-heavy veggies you have. To maintain the Asian theme, try sugar snap peas, carrots, red onion, bean shoots, or eggplant. Cook until the tofu is firm and veggies are softer to touch. Add a thick Asian sauce like plum or teriyaki, toasted sesame seeds, and a reduced-sodium soy sauce to top it all off. The veggies should provide all the starch you need. However, if you are really hungry, eat this dish with a portion of brown rice that is half the size of the tofu and veggie combo. If you are a big fan of heat, resist the urge to add your regular portion of sambal oelek or other chili sauces to the dish. The spice can be harsh on digestion during a class.

Snack Attack

Perhaps you are on the go and don’t have enough time to prepare a full meal before hitting the mat. So, make sure you always have some combination of a high fiber fruit and nut. The best-case scenario is an apple or banana with peanut butter. To get almond’s higher levels of magnesium, opt for almond butter spread on either fruit. Or, have a 1 oz portion of nuts like pistachios or hazelnuts paired with a fiber-filled fruit. Avoid raisins or sugary watermelon. They are too high in sugar and will result in a spike and crash in the middle of your class.

The key to fueling your yoga workout is the right amount of protein and fiber. Any of these suggestions will work to keep you going comfortably full throughout all of your prenatal yoga exercises.