Your health becomes associated with your unborn baby’s health when you are pregnant. So, during this initial phase of motherhood, you cannot always eat whatever you want as and when you feel like it. You will also need to take care of your emotional health. Hence, you must have some healthy yet mouthwatering recipes for pregnant women in your bucket.
Being a mother is a vital phase of life. For nearly 120 days, you carry life within you. You become vulnerable both physically and mentally. This phase always takes you an emotional roller-coaster ride. While the journey of nine to ten months asks you to eat healthily, your cravings may say something else. Your taste buds are eager to try tangy, spicy delicacies. But are they healthy and appropriate for you and your baby?
Fret not, as we present you some simple meal plans for pregnant women! These recipes include high protein foods for pregnancy that are also delicious. From healthy tofu, lots of veggies, to different kinds of meats—all are used to give the dishes a healthy and tasty oomph! This means you do not necessarily have to compromise on taste to take care of your health. This delicious menu for pregnant women is enough to keep you both healthy and cheerful.
And the best part is the ingredients to prepare them are all easily available in our local Malaysian markets! This makes it even more convenient to cook these tasty dishes. Without further ado, let’s check out the delicious recipes for pregnant women we have in our pockets!
Zha Jiang Mian: Beijing-style Fried Sauce Noodles
With lots of veggies and palatable yellow soy paste, this dish is perfect for any trimester of pregnancy. On one hand, the veggies keep your health well. And at the same time, the tangy-spicy flavour is best suited to satisfy your cravings. Although it has multiple variations, we will be discussing the most popular Beijing-style version here. Let’s learn how to prepare it in the most delicious way together, shall we?
Calories 323kcal
Equipment
- bowl
- Spatula
Ingredients
To prepare the sauce
- 2 tbsp dry yellow soybean paste
- 1/2 tbsp sweet bean sauce
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 piece star anis
- 1 whole spring onions chopped
- 1/2 tbsp ginger minced
- 100 g meat diced
Vegetables
- 100 g beansprouts
- 100 g green soybeans
- 1 whole cucumber medium-sized, cut into large, long pieces
- 3 whole raddish medium-sized, sliced
For Noodles
- 2 servings udon noodles
Instructions
- Mix dry yellow soybean paste and sweet bean paste in a bowl.
- Dilute it with water.
- Heat oil in a medium flame.
- Add star anise, spring onion and ginger. Sauté them well until the fragrance comes out.
- Add the diced meat in and cook well.
- Pour the cooked meat into the sauce.
- Bring it to boil. Once it starts boiling, lower the heat.
- Cook it until you get the desired thickness for the sauce.
- Boil the beansprouts and green soybeans in another bowl.
- Boil the noodles well. Rinse and drain the water.
- Place the noodles into two bowls topped with the sauce.
- Serve it with the boiled vegetables.
- Garnish with raw cucumber and slightly cooked radish.
Notes
The recipe includes boiled veggies instead of raw ones as raw veggies are not good for pregnant ladies. It excludes rice wine from the preparation of the sauce. This is as any type of wine can be harmful during pregnancy.
Nutrition
Calories: 323kcal
Turnip Cake with Veggies
Also known as radish cake or carrot cake, it is a delicacy that you can try as a healthy yet tasty snack during pregnancy trimesters. With the crunchy layers outside and the softness inside, it brings in a great taste. Although the origin lies in China, it is popular in other parts of Asia as well. Find the recipe for this dish below.
Servings 2 people
Calories 127kcal
Equipment
- Oven
- Pan
Ingredients
- 278 g rice flour
- 37 g potato starch
- 80 g wheat starch
- 338 ml water
- 100 g carrot
- 500 g radish
- 40 g sugar
- 4-5 pinch salt
- 75 g shiitake mushroom dry, soaked in hot water for 2-3 hours
- 1 whole spring onion chopped
- 4-5 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 whole shallot chopped
Instructions
- Peel the carrots and radish, and wash them well.
- Cut the veggies into long stripes.
- Blanch them until they become soft. Smash them by hand.
- Take the mushrooms and squeeze the water from them.
- Cut them into small dices.
- Toss them in the hot pan for 2 minutes.
- Mix the starches and rice flour. Add water and make it a smooth batter.
- Add salt and sugar to the batter. Stir in well.
- Add the boiled radish and carrots to it.
- Add the mushrooms to it and mix it well. You can add hot water slowly while mixing.
- Brush the cake pot surface with oil. Wrap the linings with butter paper.
- Pour the mixture into the pot. And cook it under steam for 1 hour.
- Once it is cooked, keep it aside to cool for 2-3 hours.
- Then, apply oil all over the pot, cover it, and let sit in the refrigerator overnight.
- Next, bring it out from the freezer and de-mould the cake.
- Cut the cake into small squares (1 cm thickness) and fry them until they become golden brown.
- Fry the chopped garlic and shallot. Mix them well and add the chopped spring onion.
- Garnish the mixture with few drops of chili oil.
- Place the fried cakes on plates with the garlic on them.
- Serve with hot chili sauce and it's ready for consumption!
Notes
Along with mushrooms, you can add dried shrimps, sausage, etc. Grated carrots and radish are often used for the dish. But raw veggies are not good for pregnant ladies. So, blanching is the best option.
Nutrition
Calories: 127kcal
Yi Mien: E-Fu Noodles with Mushroom
This dish is perfect for pregnant ladies who are in their third trimester. if you are looking ahead to turn your regular evening into a great one, try this recipe. The Chinese delicacy is also known as Hong Kong Noodles.
Servings 2 people
Calories 350kcal
Equipment
- Pan
Ingredients
- 1 pack e-fu noodles poached
- 10-12 pcs straw mushrooms fresh, poached
- 95-100 g yellow chives cut into 1 inch length
- 1 tbsp sole fish powder dry
- 350-400 ml chicken stock
- 4 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp oil for cooking
- 1-2 tsp sugar
- 1 pinch white pepper powder
- 1-2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1/4 tbsp sesame oil
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat the pan well and add the sole fish powder.
- Once the fragrance starts coming out of it, add the straw mushrooms and stir fry them for 1 minute.
- Pour the chicken stock and add the noodles to it.
- Boil the mixture.
- Add salt according to your taste.
- Once it is cooked, season with oyster sauce and sesame oil.
- Add white pepper powder to make it spicy.
- Add dark soy sauce.
- Braise it for some time and add yellow chives to it.
- Mix it well and serve hot.
Nutrition
Calories: 350kcal
Simple Chinese Braised Tofu
If you do not feel like cooking much yet you need a high amount of protein-enriched foods, try this dish. This protein-enriched dish is perfect for the first trimester of pregnancy. It is easy to prepare and tasty enough to satisfy your pregnancy cravings.
Servings 2 people
Calories 341kcal
Ingredients
- 7 ounce firm tofu cut into medium pieces
- 2 tbsp oil
- 3 tbsp garlic
- 2 red cayenne chilis
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 scallions cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Heat the oil at medium heat in a pan.
- Fry the tofu pieces and make them golden brown.
- Keep the tofu aside and put oil in the pan.
- Saute the garlic and chilies for 3 minutes.
- Once fragrance comes out of it, add the sauces.
- Add water and mix them well.
- Add sugar and white pepper.
- Let it boil.
- Add the tofu to the mixture and stir well.
- Cook for 10 minutes.
- Serve it with scallions sprinkled on it. You can have it as a casual afternoon meal or take it with rice for dinner.
Nutrition
Calories: 341kcal
Anjeer (Fig) Burfi with Almonds and Pistachio
Fig is a nutritious element to add to a pregnant mother's meal. Especially if you are in your second trimester, you should have it to get enough amount of minerals. So, here is a delicious dessert recipe with figs. To make it more nutritious for expecting mothers, we have added nuts.
Servings 2 people
Calories 106kcal
Ingredients
- 12 whole dried figs
- 2 tbsp walnuts chopped
- 2 tbsp almonds
- 2 tbsp pistachios
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds roasted
- 1 tbsp ghee clarified butter
- 2 tsp saffron milk
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
Instructions
- Soak the dried figs in hot water in a bowl for 5 minutes.
- Drain the water and blend the figs into a smooth mixture. Ensure not to add water.
- Heat the ghee in a pan. Add the dried fig mixtures, walnuts, almonds, and pistachios to it.
- Sprinkle the sesame seeds.
- Mix well and cook for 1 minute at a medium flame.
- Turn off the flame. Add the saffron milk and cardamom powder to the mixture. Then, stir the mix well.
- Brush oil on a flat plate. Spread the fig mixture on it.
- Let it cool a bit.
- Cut into equal square-sized shapes.
- Store in the refrigerator until you serve it.
Nutrition
Calories: 106kcal
Bak Kut Teh (or Chik Kut Teh, if you prefer chicken)
Originated in China, it is a popular dish served in Malaysia, Singapore, and many other Asian countries. If you ever visit the areas of the Hokkien or Teochew community, you will find it often. You can add this high protein platter to your menu on your pregnancy days. We are sharing two versions here with you today: the original Bak Kut Teh, and if you prefer the pork-free option, Chik Kut Teh!
Servings 2 people
Calories 473kcal
Equipment
- Pot
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 10 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp black pepper powder
- 1 tbsp white pepper powder
- 1.5 star anis
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 pound pork ribs / chicken
- salt as required
Instructions
- Heat water in a large bowl.
- Add all of the ingredients to it, except the pork ribs or chicken.
- Let it boil over high heat. Mix salt as you require.
- Add the meat to the broth.
- Cook it for at least 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Check if the meat is tender.
- Once the meat becomes soft, turn off the flame. Serve it hot.
Nutrition
Calories: 473kcal
Ayam Kurma with Rempah
Although pregnancy does not allow you to have spicy food, the occasional mild-spicy treat is not too harmful. The traditional Ayum Kurma is the best option if you want a tangy spicy tit-bit during the first trimester of your pregnancy days. Find an easy, tasty recipe for it below.
Servings 2 people
Calories 179kcal
Ingredients
For Rempah
- 3 red chili roughly sliced
- 6 dried red chilies soaked in water
- 8 shallots sliced
- 3 candlenuts chopped
- 2 garlic minced
- 2 stalk lemongrass sliced
- 1 inch ginger sliced
- 1 inch turmeric root sliced
- 3/4 cup rice bran oil
For Ayam
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 500 g chicken
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken for 1 hour.
- To prepare the rempah, blend all of the ingredients (excluding oil) in a food processor.
- Heat cooking oil at a medium flame on a pan.
- Pour the mix into the oil.
- Saute the mix at medium flame until the oil from it starts coming out.
- Once it emits the fragrance, turn off the flame.
- In another large cooking pot, add some cooking oil.
- Heat it at a medium flame.
- Pour the marinated chicken into the oil.
- Cook it until the chicken turns slightly brown.
- Add the rempah to it.
- Mix the rempah with chicken well.
- Add a little water if you want more gravy.
- Cook for 20-25 minutes in low flame.
- Turn off the flame and serve it with rice.
Notes
Traditional Ayam Kurma includes more spice into it. However, we have modified it as less spicy according to the nutrition needs of the expecting mothers. Too much spice can cause stomach burning which is not good for pregnancy.
Nutrition
Calories: 179kcal
More about Pregnancy Cravings
Cravings for food and pregnancy go hand-in-hand. Women experience different kinds of cravings at different stages. While some crave for spicy soups, some ask for mouth-watering desserts. But, pregnancy asks for healthy treats only. Considering this factor, we have suggested few tasty yet healthy recipes for pregnant women. We have included cuisines from different countries. Find everything from Malay cuisines to Indian sweets, and Chinese soup. Enjoy these droolworthy recipes for pregnant women. All of them are enriched with essential nutrients. Also, they are delicious enough to give you a great experience. Do let us know how you liked them, mummies!
For more interesting stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story.