My Go-To Smoothies!

A SMOOTHIE A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY!

In week 32 of my pregnancy, I decided to set a goal to drink one smoothie per day! I realized I was lacking some good nutrition and thought the easiest way to increase my nutrition intake would be through yummy smoothies! Babe needs all the nutrition she can get, especially as we’re trying to reach the finish line!

Keep in mind, these smoothies aren’t specifically geared towards pregnant women — if you’re not pregnant, these smoothies are so delicious for you to try to! It’s nothing super special, but I get questions about what types of smoothies I make and what products I use in them. So here we are!

PREGNANCY APPROVED!

I made sure I asked my OB if it’s safe for me to have both the whey protein and Vital Proteins Collagen in my smoothies and she said it’s safe! However, speak with your own doctor as well just in case things are different for you!

SMOOTHIE ESSENTIALS

100% WHEY PROTEIN - $30

VITAL PROTEINS COLLAGEN - $25

ORGANIC CHIA SEEDS - $13

NUTRIBULLET - $50

GLASS STRAWS - $8

MASON JARS (4) - $19

MY GO-TO SMOOTHIES

NOTE: ALL smoothies listed below also contain 1/3 cup 1% milk, 1 scoop vanilla 100% whey protein, 1 scoop Vital Proteins collagen, 2 spoons of plain Greek yogurt, 1 tsp chia seeds, and 6 cubes of ice.

• 6 strawberries, 1 banana
• 1 banana, 2 heaping spoons peanut butter
• 1 banana, 1 handful blackberries
• 6 strawberries, 1 handful blueberries
• 1 banana, 4 strawberries, 5 raspberries, 5 blackberries, 5 blueberries*

* = favorite

I usually go with any variation of these fruits and they’re super yummy! It really just depends on what I have at home, but these are my go-to fruits! I’ve yet to try veggies in my smoothies (kale, spinach, etc). I’m just not really a fan! But you can totally add those in to these smoothies as well if you’re about that life!

HELP EASE LABOR WITH DATES!

I’ve learned that eating dates while pregnant is the most benefits thing you can do for your body to help ease labor and to minimize the time it takes to give birth! I’ve read studies where women who are 6 dates per day spent half the amount of time in labor than women who did not. I also heard from SEVERAL women how much easier it made their labor.... And I’m all for it!

BUT!

I asked my doctor about when to begin eating dates consistently and she said I should wait until I’m at least 36 weeks just in case it tricks my body to go into preterm labor, so I decided I’ll wait!

When I begin consuming dates, I’ll eat 7 dates per day (since eating an odd number is sunnah in my religion) from the start of week 37 to even after birth. It helps in postpartum too!

When that begins, I’ll start throwing the dates in my smoothies and eat a few at night before bed, too! Just thought I’d share this awesome fact! It’s been proven in so many scientific studies and in Islam it’s actually been said it’s so beneficial for pregnant women!