Dear reader, this post is a cumulative result of all the efforts I have put in in the last two trimesters for planning my morning meals. A task tough to achieve amidst pregnancy cravings and attention towards weighing scale.
I am about to step into the third trimester of this pregnancy. Health conditions during the starting of my second semester resulted in my weight loss and affected the growth of my little one too. However, I took charge of the situation and as per the doctor’s guidance followed a protein-rich diet. We are back on track with my health as well as my little ones. I am a vegetarian who is not fond of paneer, which leaves me with very less options to experiment with. These all are age-old recipes and often found on plates of many Indians. Here are a few of my favorite food recipes that I cooked and relished:
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Moong Dal Chilla
Pulses are a wonderful source of vitamins and minerals. Being a vegetarian this is one of the major sources of protein in my diet. The goodness of green moong dal is known to all of us. The recipe is quite simple and doesn’t need much preparation.
Recipe
Wash and soak moong daal overnight. I prefer the green one instead of dhuli (yellow) moong however one can use either to prepare this. Grind it to a smooth paste and add available veggies. Finely chopped onion, fresh leaves of coriander, green chilies, add it to the mix. Salt as per your taste and a pinch of turmeric powder. Adding a pinch of asafoetida (hing) and back pepper powder is optional. Grease your pan well and pre-heat it a little. Pour the batter and spread it evenly. Cook it well from both sides till it’s crispy. Serve it with ketchup or green chutney 🙂
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Sabudana-Paneer Tikki
Sabudana can give a fast boost of energy. When mixed with a good amount of paneer then it provides the much-needed energy and protein to our body. IT tastes absolutely delicious and can be made quickly. It helps in aiding digestion and relieves any issues related to it such as constipation and gas.
Recipe
Soak sabudana overnight and wash it really well in the morning. It contains a great amount of starch, washing it well may help reduce the stickiness. Boiled and peeled potatoes and paneer will give the necessary binding and will enhance the taste as well. Add finely chopped onion, fresh coriander leaves, green chilies. Adding coarsely ground peanuts are optional. Add salt as per your taste, a pinch of black pepper, and turmeric powder.
If the mixture looks a bit lose and it is difficult to give it a shape then adding either cornflour or rice flour may help. Heat the pan and add 2 tablespoons of oil, give the desired shape to this mixture. Cook from both sides until golden brown. Serve it hot with ketchup or chutney.
Sooji-Paneer Paniyaram
This is one of the favorite breakfasts of my family members too. Paneer is a must to include in my diet to complete my required protein intake which is why most of these recipes include paneer as an important component. I have written a detailed recipe for this before, you can check here.
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I too was advised a low carb high protein diet for similar reasons in my first trimester. I am a non vegetarian so lunch and dinner never posed that big a problem but breakfast and evening snacks (and you cant keep an empty stomach at any time), proved difficult to plan for. I came across moong daal chilla then. Am in love with it now. Your suggestions are very good and will be something I can recommend to other friends in need since I myself am now in 3rd trimester and the need for that diet has gone. But great post!
All three recipes have a prime slot in my weekly cooking chart. Moong dal chilla is something I can go with any day anytime.
lovely recipes. I am always at my wits end when it comes to making a healthy snack or small meal – these are great ideas and easy to make. Will try these out for my family too.
Such healthy recipes. Perfect for the mother and child. it is also easy to make . Especially the chilla.
I’m definitely drooling and some of these ingredients are favourite for my kids. Will try your recipes for them as evening snacks too.
Kavita, having food that tastes good and at the same time is healthy during pregrancy is first priority of every mother. Your post has three dishes and that too with recipe is surely a big takeaway for all of us. Wishing you smooth third trim and delivery.
I loved all these recipes. sabudana and paneer combination is really new to me. will try it for sure. it sounds so tempting to me. thanks for sharing dear.
I make all these but little differently. Would love to bring some variety in my food by trying your recipes. Never tried paniyaram work paneer so this is going to be new for me.
Sabudana paneer tikki is new to me. The other two options I make very frequently. You can make mixed daal chila the same way you make moong daal chila and with the same batter you can make Idli or dhokla.