_edited_edited.png)
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information.
Skip the shredded wheat and up your fiber intake with this tasty snack instead!
Adequate fiber intake is important for everyone, but it has several added benefits for pregnant women:
Reduces the risks associated with preeclampsia
Helps prevent constipation
Combats the side effects of heartburn and indigestion caused by the increased progesterone in your body
I am terrified of getting hemorrhoids, which can be caused by constipation. My good friend Ariel had to deal with them during her first pregnancy, and told me they were so bad she spent an entire afternoon crying on the bathroom floor. Since becoming pregnant myself, one of my main goals is to avoid a similar fate, so pass me that fiber please and thank you.
I'm currently in my second trimester and increasing my fiber intake has been relatively easy, but not that enjoyable. I've found that many high-fiber foods taste grainy and bland. Fruit is a great source, but I try not to rely exclusively on fruit because of the sugar content. Was I doomed to five more months of snacking on bran muffins and generic Triscuits?
My dog actually reminded me that there is another fantastic option I'd been forgetting. My vet recommended giving her canned pumpkin whenever she’s constipated, and if it can keep my garbage-eating chihuahua regular, there are probably no limits to its constipation-fighting abilities. As a bonus, I love love love pumpkin. I know fall is the season for all things pumpkin and I am all for it, but I refuse to confine my pumpkin-eating timeline to just three months out of the year. Can’t do it, won’t do it. So another reason to enjoy that big orange squash year-round is fine by me!
This snack is no-bake and takes less than 10 minutes to prepare. It’s low in fat, gluten-free and gives you a nice dose of antioxidants. Throw them in a Ziploc bag for something to eat while you’re running errands or enjoy them as dessert.
What ingredients do I need for this recipe?
Canned pumpkin- make sure you pick up pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling
Chocolate chips - this is a sweeter recipe so I like to balance it with dark or semisweet chocolate but you can use milk chocolate if you prefer
Honey
Oats- quick cooking or old fashioned
Cinnamon
Vanilla extract
How do I store pumpkin chocolate chip bites?
Store these bites in a sealed bag or container in the fridge for up to one week. You can keep these in the freezer for up to three months. To eat, simply thaw overnight in the fridge.
How much does this recipe make?
Each serving is two bites and this recipe makes about ten bites.
What other health benefits does pumpkin have?
Vitamin A- plays a major role in the health of your eyes
Vitamin C- boosts your immune system
Potassium- helps you maintain normal blood pressure
Carotenoids- combats free radicals in your body, which can help prevent certain cancers
Did You Make This Recipe?
Let me know! Mention @preggokitchen or tag #preggokitchen
Did You Like It?
Please leave a comment and a five star rating below!
Ingredients:
½ cup canned pumpkin- not pumpkin pie filling
¾ cup oats- quick cooking or old fashioned
¼ cup chocolate chips
¼ cup honey
¼ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp cinnamon
Directions:
Add all of the ingredients into a medium sized bowl and mix until everything is well combined
Scoop out about 2 Tbsp of batter and form it into a ball. Repeat until you are out of batter
You can enjoy them right away or store them in the fridge until you are ready to snack!
Sources:
6 major health benefits of pumpkin. Cleveland Clinic. (2023, February 24). Retrieved March 3, 2023, from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/truth-about-the-great-pumpkin-its-good-for-you/