This is my go-to smoothie that I have enjoyed almost every day of my pregnancy. It’s packed with healthy fat, vitamins and minerals needed to support a healthy pregnancy.

Pregnancy… where do I even begin? I’m currently a little more than halfway through my second pregnancy. For those of you who don’t know, I have a two year old daughter named Emma and another little girl due this May. Everyday I feel so grateful for the beautiful life growing inside of me.

I consider myself lucky that I never encountered any morning sickness with either of my pregnancies. One could say that my first pregnancy was ideal – no complications, a full-term baby and an easy labor. I can only hope that this pregnancy will be as easy and good as my first, but of course all pregnancies are different. I’m also constantly chasing after Emma all day, so I’m definitely more exhausted this time and am encountering some back pain from carrying a toddler around. Note to self: make Emma walk more!

The most important thing to me right now (and always for that matter) is mine and my family’s health. Pregnancy is precious and I want to nourish my body and my baby with whole foods that I know are beneficial for pregnancy and for the baby who is rapidly growing inside of me. Major brain development is happening right now, so I did a lot of research on the best foods to eat for brain health as well as foods packed with the most vitamins and nutrients essential for pregnancy. I made sure to include healthy fat, fiber and protein-rich foods in this smoothie.

I usually enjoy this smoothie for breakfast after a big cup of warm water with lemon. However, if I’m craving oatmeal or healthy pancakes for breakfast I listen to my body and have that instead, and then I’ll have this smoothie as an afternoon snack. It keeps me full and satisfied for hours!

Below are the ingredients in the smoothie and the health benefits to consuming these while pregnant plus how it supports your pregnancy and your baby.

Almond milk: I choose to make my own nut milk since I know the ONLY ingredient in the milk is raw organic almonds and filtered water. It’s difficult to find a clean store-bought almond milk. I find most are packed with gums, fillers, ‘natural’ flavors and other ingredients that aren’t so great for you. I understand not everyone has the time to make their own almond milk, so a brand I highly recommend is MALK, because it’s organic and made from simple and clean ingredients.

Spinach: It’s high in folate which helps to prevent neural tube defects, which are serious birth defects of the spinal cord (such as spina bifida) and the brain (such as anencephaly). Spinach is high in calcium which is sooo important for the baby to build strong bones and teeth. Calcium also helps the baby grow a healthy heart, nerves, and muscles as well as develop a normal heart rhythm and blood-clotting abilities. Calcium can also reduce your risk of hypertension and preeclampsia during pregnancy.

Brazil nuts: They’re high in protein, fiber, copper and magnesium. Brazil nuts are the BEST selenium source in the world! Selenium has an ability to fight inflammation and increase blood flow (which can help to relieve or alleviate cramping during pregnancy). Brazil nuts are also known to boost the immune system which is so important during pregnancy!

Flax seeds: They’re packed with omega-3 essential fatty acids which are good fats (and healthy fats are so critical during pregnancy). They’re also great for digestive health – when you’re belly starts getting bigger the baby puts pressure on your intestines, often causing constipation. Flaxseeds definitely help keep me regular.

Chia seeds: They’re high in fiber, protein and are also a good source omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, iron, and calcium – all important during pregnancy!

Chlorella: It’s primarily known for it’s detoxification benefits (detoxes the body of chemicals and heavy metals). Chlorella is also a great source of chlorophyll, protein, iron, magnesium and amino acids.

Cinnamon: It’s an anti-inflammatory and is high in antioxidants. I recommend using Ceylon cinnamon.

Banana: They’re rich in potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium and vitamin B6. Bananas can balance electrolytes, boost mood, minimize muscle cramping and support a healthy nervous system. These all contribute to proper functioning of the body and I truly can’t tell you how much I think they help with my leg cramping during pregnancy!

Cauliflower: It fights inflammation and is known to reduce cancer risk. It also balances hormones and improves digestion.

As you can see I did not add a protein powder in this smoothie since many of the ingredients are naturally high in protein (brazil nuts, flax seeds, chia seeds and chlorella), but you can feel free to add some protein powder to your smoothie if you want some extra protein. My favorite protein powder (and the cleanest) is The Natural Citizen – it’s organic and made with 4 whole food ingredients. You can use my code ‘leahsplate’ for $10 off and free shipping 🙂

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