Healthy and Nutritious Second Trimester Recipes

The second trimester, or “honeymoon trimester,” is a time to enjoy bright, colorful foods, as generally, any sickness has hopefully passed. Focus on fresh and vibrant salads, lots of lean meat and omega-3-rich fish like tuna and salmon, and lots of healthy grains while making your second trimester recipes.¹ Generally, if you’re feeling good, it’s an excellent opportunity to enjoy a varied and healthy diet.

Nutritious Second Trimester Recipes

Halloumi, Mango, Avocado, and Cucumber Salad with Lemon and Thyme Dressing

A beautiful and colorful salad full of good stuff in the mango, cucumber, and avocado, plus extra protein and calcium in the halloumi. A real easy dish to put together and a perfect salad to take to a B-B-Q.

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber
• 2 ripe mangos
• 10 oz of halloumi cheese
• 2 avocadoes
• Half a lemon
• Thyme, olive oil, salt, and pepper

Method 

1. Slice the halloumi into thin strips then grill for a few minutes per side. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
2. Slice the cucumber, mango, and avocado, and mix in a bowl.
3. Dice some fresh thyme and mix with two tablespoons of olive oil and the juice of half a lemon.
4. Tear the halloumi into small pieces, add to the bowl and cover with the oil. Mix well and serve.

Why is this good for mom and baby?

Halloumi	Protein, calcium, vitamin A
Mango	Fiber, folate, iron, vitamin A, B, C, E
Avocado	Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, K, folate, potassium, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, magnesium, calcium, iron
Cucumber	Vitamin A, B, C, K, folate, magnesium, potassium, fiber, iron
Lemon	Vitamin B, C, calcium, magnesium, folate

Roasted Cod, Lentils, Cherry Tomatoes and Parsley Oil

I love how professional this dish looks when it’s only really cod, tomatoes, and lentils in a bowl! One of my favorite dishes and so nourishing. Lentils are also such a powerhouse food.

Ingredients

• 2 cod loins
• 1 can of lentils
• A decent handful of cherry tomatoes
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 cup of stock
• Lemon, parsley, olive oil

Method

1. Roast the cod under two slices of lemon for a maximum of 10 minutes at 350
2. Meanwhile, dice the onion and garlic and cook on low heat. Slice the tomatoes in half and add to the pan along with the lentils
3. Dice some parsley and mix it into a few spoonfuls of olive oil.
4. Spoon the lentil mix into a bowl, top with the cod and drizzle the parsley oil over

Why is this good for mom and baby?

Cod	Protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B, D, potassium
Lentils	Protein, iron, folate, vitamin B, K, zinc, calcium, potassium
Tomatoes	Vitamin A, C, E, iron, fiber, protein
Lemon	Vitamin B, C, calcium, magnesium, folate
Garlic	Vitamin B, C, Calcium, potassium, iron
Onion	Fiber, vitamin B, C, D, K, zinc, iron, folate, magnesium, potassium

Shrimp and Pea Risotto with Coconut Milk and Turmeric

Shrimps make the perfect food for pregnancy. They’re small and bitesize, contain zero fat, and are full of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins. Here it’s served with a rich, creamy, and slightly spicy risotto. Definitely one to make arancini from with the leftovers! A great second trimester recipe.

Ingredients 

• Around 10 oz large shrimps
• One onion, diced
• 2 cups arborio rice
• 2 cups vegetable/fish stock
• Handful of frozen peas
• One can of coconut milk
• Turmeric, butter

Method 

1. Season the onions and cook on low heat for a few minutes. Sprinkle one teaspoon of turmeric over the onions, add the butter and mix well. Add the rice to the pan.
2. Spoon a ladleful of the stock over the rice and stir well. Continue to do so until half of the stock is absorbed, at which point, add the coconut milk to the remaining stock.
3. Spoon over ladleful by ladleful until all the stock is absorbed.
4. As you spoon your last ladleful in, add the frozen peas to the risotto, and in a separate pan, cook the shrimps in a little butter and turmeric.
5. When cooked, add the shrimps to the risotto and serve.

Why is this good for mom and baby?

Shrimps	Protein, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, calcium, vitamins A, E
Rice	Vitamin B, magnesium, potassium, iron, fiber
Peas	Vitamins B, C, K, folate, protein, zinc, potassium, magnesium, iron
Butter	Protein, calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, B, E, D, K
Onion	Fiber, vitamin B, C, D, K, zinc, iron, folate, magnesium, potassium

Mango Stuffed Chicken Wrapped in Prosciutto on a Bed of Avocado, Pomegranate, Mango, and Wholegrain Rice Topped with Cilantro

I love how colorful this dish is, and stuffing chicken with fruit (in this case, mango) gets you extra vitamins and makes the chicken so tender and juicy! Adding extra fruit and vegetables to cooked rice (diced cucumber, pomegranate, avocado, etc.) is another great way to get more vitamins in your second trimester recipes.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• One mango
• 1 pack of prosciutto
• 2 cups whole grain rice
• 1 pomegranate
• 1 avocado
• Cilantro

Method 

1. Slice the mango into small pieces, using half for the rice and half to stuff the chicken.
2. Cut a little envelope into the underside of each chicken breast and fill with the mango. Use the prosciutto to wrap around the chicken and keep the mango in. Roast in the oven at 380 for 20-25 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, cook the rice as per packet instructions.
4. In a bowl, mix the pomegranate, chopped avocado, and mango together. When the rice is cooked, drain and mix into the bowl.
5. Spoon the rice onto a plate. Remove the chicken, cut it into pieces, and arrange it on the rice. Top with cilantro.

Why is this good for mum and baby?

Chicken	Protein, vitamin B, zinc
Wholegrain rice	Vitamin B, magnesium, potassium, iron, fiber
Avocado	Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, K, folate, potassium, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, magnesium, calcium, iron
Mango	Fiber, folate, iron, vitamin A, B, C, E
Pomegranate	Iron, fiber, vitamin C, K, potassium, folate
Cilantro	Vitamin C, K, calcium, fiber, iron, magnesium
Prosciutto	Protein, iron, vitamin B, zinc

Reference:

1. https://americanpregnancy.org/