This one’s for all of my expecting mama friends! While I know it’s not so bad for a lot of women, I had such a hard time figuring out what to eat during the first trimester with my nausea, exhaustion, and headaches. Although I’m feeling much better now that I’m in the second trimester, I wanted to share what my favorite (and not so favorite) eats were during that season of pregnancy!
*This is a list of my personal favorite first trimester meals during my current pregnancy! Please keep in mind that everyone is different and every pregnancy journey is different. The list below is a part of my story and is in no way medical advice. Also, please always consult your doctor for any medical advice regarding your pregnancy 🙂
Related: My Miscarriage Story, (opens in a new tab) We’re Having A Baby! (opens in a new tab), Baby is a… (opens in a new tab)
First Trimester Cravings and Aversions
I really struggled with wanting to eat healthy during the first trimester. I remember searching the internet (because the internet knows everything, right??) looking for tips on what to eat during the first trimester, but the answers I kept getting just weren’t realistic for me. I couldn’t fathom eating a salad and could hardly get vegetables down! While I wanted to give my little one the best nutrition possible, all I could seem to eat (and craved) were beef and potatoes, comfort food, and fried food (although I couldn’t stand the smell).
Thankfully, this list (with the help of steak + mashed potatoes and hamburgers + fries) really helped me make it through.
Here’s a list of my go-to recipes & meals during the first trimester!
Breakfast
Waffles – I craved these SO much during that season! I often made these Almond Flour Waffles (opens in a new tab) and kept them in the freezer or used this pre-made waffle mix. (opens in a new tab)
Pancakes – I typically only made these on the weekend, but loved these Healthy Sweet Potato Pancakes! (opens in a new tab)
Eggs – Loved eggs for breakfast since they’re loaded with protein and help with that morning nausea (at least for me). I often ate these scrambled, fried (cooked fully), or made them in recipes like these 10-Minute Huevos Rancheros Breakfast Tostadas, (opens in a new tab) Skillet Sweet Potato & Kale Hash, (opens in a new tab) or The BEST Healthy Breakfast Tacos! (opens in a new tab)
Lunch
Sushi – I know, I know. The FORBIDDEN. But I wanted it so bad. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of vegetarian sushi out there and it’s good! Gimme all the spicy mayo to go with it 😉 You do what you have to do, friend.
PB&J – Need I say more?
Quick Lunch Recipes – Loved easy, quick, and hearty lunch recipes like these Ground Turkey Pita Pockets, (opens in a new tab) Slow Cooker Fiesta Ranch Chicken Wraps, (opens in a new tab) and 10-Minute Margherita Pita Bread Pizzas! (opens in a new tab)
Pre-Made Meals – These Steak & Potato Meal Prep Bowls (opens in a new tab) saved the day sooooo many times in the first trimester!
Dinner
Beef – Beef Curry Rice Burger Bowl, (opens in a new tab) Red Pepper and Kale Beef Burgers (opens in a new tab)
Tacos – Slow Cooker Chili Lime Beef Tacos, (opens in a new tab) Spicy Salmon Tacos, (opens in a new tab) 30-Minute Blackened Salmon Tacos, (opens in a new tab) Beef Carnitas Tacos (opens in a new tab)
Comfort Food – Mushroom & Spinach Pasta Bake, (opens in a new tab) One-Pot Basil Chicken Baked Ziti, (opens in a new tab) Creamy Healthy Chicken Enchilada Skillet (opens in a new tab)
Mashed Potatoes – Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes & Cranberry Mushroom Sauce (opens in a new tab), Vegan Loaded Mashed Potato Bowls (opens in a new tab)
Snacks
Breakfast Sandwiches – I really liked keeping these breakfast sandwiches (opens in a new tab) on hand for those times I was crashing. The protein and carbs really helped me during some of my most nauseated times!
Popsicles – Although I wasn’t a big fan of sweets during the first trimester, these Strawberry Chia Seed Popsicles (opens in a new tab) were great for the nausea! I loved that they’re just a tiny bit sour and cold. Perfect for that season!
Peanut Butter – This is always a great snack, but I really loved eating peanut butter (opens in a new tab) straight out of the jar or taking these peanut butter snack packs (opens in a new tab)with me on-the-go. This Apple Cinnamon Peanut Butter Breakfast Toast (opens in a new tab) recipe was also one of my faves!
Preggie Pop Drops (opens in a new tab) – This isn’t a snack, but I HIGHLY recommend these for anyone who’s dealing with constant nausea during the first trimester. You can buy these Preggie Pops here! (opens in a new tab) They were a life saver for me! Although they are basically candy, I do appreciate that the flavors are made with essential oils and the colors are made from natural sources.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. These are products that I know, trust, and love!
I wish I had advice for things to eat that didn’t involve chicken and eggs… Chicken and eggs have been my biggest food aversion which is so hard because there is so much protein in both. I’ve struggled trying to come up with meal ideas that have different sources of protein.
Thank you. I feel like all the “first trimester NVP recipes” out there are written by people who have never gone through this. Yours is the first site of things i think i might actually be able to eat. Thanks for keeping it real and not telling me to eat spinach (ugh) 🙂
It’s the rice in sushi that is the hazard. Cold rice carries. Lot of bacteria. Safest to make your own and eat fresh!
10 weeks pregnant with my 4th… and all k want all the time is COMFORT FOOD and TACOS. Now I just need to feel well enough to whip this all up!
I wish I had all of this durning my first trimester! They all look so good!