Taking care of yourself during pregnancy requires a multifaceted approach. While attending checkups and resting are important, sticking with a well-rounded diet can feel trickier as your due date arrives. Explore a few iron-rich meals that are perfect for third-trimester exhaustion to fill your freezer with effortless recipes that hit the spot.
1. Spinach, Rice and Feta Casserole
Spinach is full of iron because it’s a leafy green. Mix it into a casserole dish with basmati rice, mushrooms and feta cheese. Whether you’re craving fresh greens or cheesy carbs, the Mediterranean-inspired recipe hits the spot.
After baking and cooling completely, you can keep it covered in the freezer for up to three months. Enjoy it any time during your third trimester or after your baby arrives. You could even toss in your preferred meats while it warms in your oven, like shredded chicken or ground lamb.
2. Bean and Cheese Burritos
Canned pinto beans have 1.28 milligrams of iron in every 100 grams. Although they’ll store for years in your pantry, you can always freeze them in a delicious meal. Combine rinsed beans with cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning before wrapping them in tortillas. They’re easy to make in minutes, so you won’t have to be on your feet for long to prepare them.
Cover each burrito in wax paper inside a freezer-safe container. When you’re hungry, warm them in a casserole dish, on top of a baking sheet or inside your toaster oven. You could top the burritos with salsa to add more vegetables to your diet.
3. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Treat yourself to a restaurant-worthy recipe without too much exertion by saving stuffed bell peppers in your freezer. The colorful vegetables are packed with iron and maintain their consistency when frozen. Bake them full of rice and your favorite add-ins before storing them in your freezer for a few months. Top with extra marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese to make them even more delectable.
4. Crockpot Buffalo Chicken
Tossing frozen ingredients in the crockpot is one of the easiest ways to make dinner when you need to take it easy. Add buffalo sauce to a large bag with as many chicken breasts as you’d typically make for dinner. They’ll keep well in the freezer for your third trimester and cook thoroughly on low for six hours.
Shred the chicken breasts after they reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which should be easy. The low heat and long cooking time make the meat fall apart. Serve the iron-packed chicken alongside macaroni and cheese, inside quesadillas or on top of baked potatoes.
5. Scrambled Egg Bites
Accessing a quick snack is important during the second half of your pregnancy. Experts recommend increasing your food intake by 400-600 calories daily to support your pregnancy without compromising your weight management goals before your baby arrives. Make scrambled eggs and bake them in a cupcake pan to fill your freezer with iron-rich meals and snacks. You can warm one in the microwave when you have a late-night craving.
6. Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli
Fuel yourself with iron and a delectable serving of soy sauce by freezing uncooked beef strips. Mix them with raw broccoli florets, soy sauce and stir-fry spices, and store them in your freezer until you want something salty and spicy.
Thaw the bag or container in the fridge overnight before baking your beef and broccoli mixture for 10-12 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll feel like you’re eating takeout on your couch without waiting for a delivery driver to arrive.
7. Chicken Noodle Soup
You deserve nostalgic home cooking when you feel fatigued. Chicken noodle soup is one of the most legendary comfort foods. Chicken is also an excellent source of iron. Fill a Dutch oven with egg noodles, chicken, carrots, celery and chicken broth. After it cools, store the soup in single-serving containers and reheat it whenever you want something warm and comforting.
8. Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
When you walk down the frozen meal aisle at your grocery store, you’ll likely see lots of pasta-based boxes on the shelves. Macaroni and cheese maintains its cooked consistency when frozen, so make as much as you’d like. Add steamed broccoli florets to have an iron-dense lunch or dinner at the ready. Cool the mixture before freezing it in a large casserole dish or Tupperware containers meant for one.
Support Your Well-Being With Iron-Rich Meals
Eating more foods packed with iron could give you the energy you’ve been missing in your third trimester. You don’t even have to add extra time in the kitchen cooking every day. Make iron-rich freezer meals you can store for months and have on hand when you need them. Whether you love salty beef and broccoli or savory macaroni and cheese, you’ll have numerous options on standby during the last few weeks of your pregnancy.
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