Healthy Twists on Holiday Desserts for Expecting Moms

November 20, 2017

The holidays are right around the corner, and that means lots of yummy treats waiting to be gobbled up! With a few changes, you can still enjoy holiday desserts and meet your nutritional needs if you are pregnant or preparing for pregnancy. We’ve found some dessert recipes that are healthier versions of holiday favorites to make sure moms and babies stay on the right track throughout the holidays!

Pecan Pie

Get the Recipe from The Healthy Foodie>>

Who doesn’t have fond memories of pecan pie during the holidays? Pecans are a great source vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, several B vitamins and zinc. One ounce of pecans provides 10 percent of the recommended daily value for fiber. Pecans are also a natural, high-quality source of protein and contain very few carbohydrates and no cholesterol. We found a delicious recipe for a healthier version of the classic pecan pie. Who says you can’t eat desert and still be healthy?

Sweet Potato Custard

Get the Recipe from Rachel Ray>>

These sweet spuds are loaded with vitamin A and vitamin C along with iron, potassium and vitamin B6. Vitamin C works as an antioxidant in the body to combat free radicals and protect our cells.¹ It also aids in iron absorption, which is especially important during the second and third trimesters.^2,3 Sweet potatoes are also a great source of fiber, which can help combat constipation that is often linked with pregnancy. Here is a delicious, healthy sweet potato custard you can put on your table this holiday season.

Apple Crisp

Get the Recipe from Healthy Living>>

The sweet smell of baked apples brings the holidays to mind for many. One study found that mothers who eat apples during pregnancy may be protecting their children from having asthma later on in life.⁴ Apples are also high in vitamin C and contain iron. They can help boost iron and curb anemia related to iron deficiency. During pregnancy, iron-deficiency anemia is said to be factor in low birth weights, premature births and still births.⁵ So look to this apple crisp as a tasty and healthier alternative to a traditional, higher-calorie apple pie.

Cranberry Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

Get the Recipe from Eating Well>>

While more research is needed, there are some studies that have found that there may be a preventive effect of cranberry ingestion against urinary tract infections during pregnancy.⁶ Cranberries are also high in vitamin C and fiber. So when you are thinking of what to bring to your next holiday party, remember this super fruit. Here is a wonderful recipe for Cranberry Pecan Cinnamon rolls.

Prenatal Nutrition During the Holiday

The holidays are meant to be enjoyed. With these healthy alternative holiday desserts you can keep your prenatal nutrition on track. When diet alone cannot meet nutritional guidelines, a prenatal vitamin can be a helpful supplement. Prenate^® Vitamin Family offers a line of prescription prenatal vitamins that help fill nutritional gaps. Each Prenate^® contains folic acid, which help prevent neural tube birth defects. Many contain absorbable forms of iron, calcium and DHA that help meet nutritional recommendations for both moms and babies. Talk to your doctor today to see if Prenate^® is right for you.

Prenate^® Vitamin Family
This post is brought to you by the Prenate^® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.

REFERENCES: 1. National Institutes of Health, Vitamin C: Fact Sheet for Consumers. Retrieved April 19, 2015 from http://ods.od.- nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer. 2. Brise H, Hallberg L. Effect of ascorbic acid on iron absorption. Act Med Scan. 1962; 171(suppl 376):51-58. 3. Millman, N. Review Article: Oral Iron Prophylaxis in Pregnancy: Not Too Little and Not Too Much! Journal of Pregnancy. Volume 2012. Article ID 514345 doi:10.1155/2012/514345. 4. Maternal food consumption during pregnancy and asthma, respiratory and atopic symptoms in 5-year-old children. Willers et al. Thorax, Published Online First: 27 March 2007. doi:10.1136/ thx.2006.074187. 5. Raman TR, Devgan A, Sood S, Gupta A, Racvichander B. Low Birth Weight Babies : Incidence and risk factors. Medical Journal, Armed Forces India. 1998;54(3):191-195.doi:10.1016/S0377-237(17)30539-7. 6. Wing DA, Rumney PJ, Preslicka CW, Chung JH. Daily cranberry juice for the prevention of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy: a randomized, controlled pilot study. J Urol.

*Most eligible patients will pay no more than $10 per copay. For each Prenate^® prescription, pay the first $10 of your out-of-pocket expense and Prenate^® will cover up to $75 of your remaining expense. You could have additional responsibility depending on your insurance plan or remaining expense. This offer is good for 12 uses.

**Patients pay as little as $45 cash for a 30-day supply or $120 cash for a 90-day supply by ordering through Glendale Pharmacy. Glendale Pharmacy offers free standard shipping on all prescriptions to select states. Click here to confirm if Glendale delivers to your state. Glendale Pharmacy also accepts health insurance in select states, which may reduce your out-of-pocket cost even further. Click here to confirm if Glendale accepts insurance in your state.

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