Healthy Breakfast Recipe For Pregnant Women and Toddlers

Food. We're constantly thinking about it when we're pregnant — what should we eat? Is this good for the baby? Then, we put those thoughts on steroids as we try to find nutritious recipes for our growing toddlers.

So, what if we had one recipe (at least for breakfast) that deliciously amps up our pregnancy nutrition, but we can also save for later to help our little humans get the nutrients they need? Enter: Registered Dietitian Stephanie Middleberg. She says her spinach waffle recipe can do just that.

"Rich in vitamins and minerals, these spinach waffles are a powerhouse of nutrients for growing kids and moms alike. The addition of spinach not only adds vibrant color but also provides essential nutrients like fiber, folate, iron, and vitamin K," Middleberg says.

"They are easy to make and require minimal effort. Simply blend all the ingredients, pour the batter into the waffle iron, and cook according to the instructions. Serve them warm or freeze them for later use. It's a hassle-free nutritious breakfast solution for busy mornings," she says.

Psst... Check out her recipe below and her latest book debuting April 30 "The Big Book of Pregnancy Nutrition."

Spinach Waffles

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 10 to 15 minutes

Yield: About 3 cups of batter (roughly 6 waffles depending on the waffle maker)

Ingredients

• 1 cup of milk of choice

• 2 large eggs

• 1⁄2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

• 1⁄4 cup of coconut sugar

• 1⁄4 cup of ghee, coconut oil, or 1⁄2 stick of unsalted butter, melted and cooled. (Liquid fat like avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil can also be used.)

• 1 cup packed baby spinach

• 2 1⁄4 cups almond flour

• 1⁄4 cup ground flaxseed

• 1⁄4 teaspoon fine sea salt

• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda

• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Preheat the waffle iron. In a blender or food processor, combine all the ingredients except for the cooking spray; blend until smooth. The batter will be thick.

2. Mist the waffle iron with cooking spray. Portion about 1⁄2 cup of batter into it and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Repeat with the remaining batter, misting the iron with cooking spray between batches.

Notes

"I find that these get dark at the highest setting on my waffle iron. Lowering the heat two settings below the highest seems to work the best for me, so you might have to experiment to find the ideal temperature," Middleberg says.

"If you want to keep your waffles warm while you cook the rest, preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Place the cooked waffles directly on the oven rack to keep them warm and crisp until breakfast is served. Let any leftovers cool completely, then wrap and refrigerate or freeze. Reheat in a toaster oven," she adds.