Looking for healthy pregnancy dinner recipes? This list includes clean eating, gluten free and paleo friendly recipes that are filled with the best foods for having a healthy pregnancy and baby. No more worrying about what to eat during pregnancy!
Eating a nutrient dense diet high in protein is important during pregnancy for your babys development AND so that you can feel your best. These healthy pregnancy recipes all include superfoods that will help nourish you during pregnancy.
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Pregnancy Dinner Recipes
Looking for some pregnancy dinner ideas? Struggling with figuring out the best meals for pregnancy?
We put together this list of healthy dinner recipes that feature the BEST pregnancy superfoods because we know that you want the best for your baby.
All of the dinner recipes here are:
- clean eating
- contain real food ingredients
- gluten free
- easy
- healthy
Having EASY + HEALTHY recipes is important, so that you can eat well and not have to spend a ton of time and energy in the kitchen.
When you are pregnant, after a long day the last thing you want to do is stand around and cook.
Consider these dinner recipes a easy pregnancy menu. You can breathe easy knowing that the recipes here are good for you, good for your baby and good for your family, too. Plus they require very little effort.
Want to know the easiest way to get more pregnancy superfoods in daily? Upgrade your pregnancy grocery list!
Sign up below to download our FREE healthy food list based on the BEST foods for pregnancy.
What are the Best Meals for Pregnant Women?
Figuring out WHAT to eat during pregnancy can be a BIG challenge. There is so much conflicting information out there when it comes to what you should and shouldnt eat during pregnancy.
Should you eat whole grains? Is sushi ok to eat? How much should you eat?
I know I was super confused the first time (or 2) as to what to eat during pregnancy. I thought I was eating a healthy diet, but it wasnt until I started suffering from severe acne and eczema that I realized I had a problem.
With the encouragement of my midwife, I started changing my pregnancy diet. I eliminated gluten and started eating more nutrient dense foods. Read more about the diet mistakes I made the first time (and how to avoid them) here!!
The thing is, its not so much about the foods you should avoid, as it is about what foods you should add to your pregnancy diet.
There is an awesome book called Real Food for Pregnancy that really breaks down what is BEST to eat during pregnancy.
The author is a nutritionist and a Mom who dug into all the studies and research on pregnancy diet and best food for healthy pregnancy outcomes. There are over 30 pages of citations, so you know the info she shares is research backed!
The cool thing is that she explains everything in easy to understand way and offers simple suggestions on how to improve pregnancy diet without going nuts, or spending a ton of money.
Read my full review of Real Food for Pregnancy HERE! It really is a MUST read book for pregnant Moms.
Here are the top foods to include in your pregnancy meals (from Real Food for Pregnancy):
- Eggs
- Bone Broth
- Meat - on the Bone and slow cooked
- Vegetables especially leafy greens
- Salmon, Fatty Fish and other seafood
- Full fat and fermented dairy products
- Liver
Try to include these foods whenever possible in your pregnancy meals.
These soups for pregnancy are a good place to start.
If you just wish someone would tell you what to eat already, check out this awesome resource which includes 5 meal plans specially for each phase of pregnancy made by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Its very helpful for finding easy healthy meals to eat during pregnancy.
Easy Healthy Pregnancy Meals
So lets get on to the recipes! Each of these pregnancy dinner recipes include pregnancy superfoods.
The recipes are divided into 4 sections:
- Quick + Easy
- Paleo
- Vegetarian
- Slow Cooker.
Make sure to pin your favorites so that you can make your own pregnancy meal plan on your Pinterest boards.
What's in this Post
Quick + Easy Pregnancy Meals
No time to cook? Tired after a long day? Try a few of these easy healthy pregnancy dinner recipes that require little effort!
#1 - Buddha Bowl On Cauliflower Rice
Love this simple, healthy recipe from Fit as a Mama Bear!
Superfoods ->>> Chickpeas, avocado
Tip: Make this recipe even easier by using store bought frozen cauliflower rice.
#2 - Potato Salmon Asparagus One Pan Dinner
Sheet pan meals like this one are so easy! Plus asparagus is one of the best natural sources of folate!
Superfoods ->>> Salmon, potatoes, asparagus
Tip: Double up on portions and save the leftovers for lunches.
#3 - Artichoke and Garlic Broiled Chicken Thighs
With only 4 ingredients this easy sheet pan meal is a simple way to eat healthy.
Superfoods ->>> dark meat chicken, artichokes, garlic
Tip: Serve with quinoa or sweet potatoes for an even healthier dinner.
#4 - Salmon Superfood Salad (gluten free, dairy free)
Want a light and healthy dinner? Try this superfood salad.
Superfoods ->>> Salmon, beets, blueberries, pepitas, olive oil, garlic, kale
Tip: Eat this with one of the soups below for a power packed pregnancy dinner.
#5 - One-Pan Balsamic Chicken Veggie Bake
Quick to prep and this sheet pan meal can be ready in under 30 minutes! Everything cooks on one pan, so its super easy.
Superfoods ->>> Broccoli, carrots, garlic, olive oil
Tip: Use boneless chicken thighs for added nutrients and to save money.
Want more quick and easy meals? Check out these 9 Instant Pot Pregnancy Recipes
Paleo Dinner Recipes
Are you doing Paleo while pregnant? These recipes are all Paleo friendly. They are also super nutritious, protein based pregnancy dishes, so even if you dont follow the Paleo diet, these are great pregnancy meals.
#6 - Harvest Chicken & Sweet Potato Salad
An easy and hearty salad. Great use with leftover chicken.
Superfoods ->>> Sweet potatoes, Pecans, Cranberries
Tip: Make this even healthier by using dark meat chicken.
#7 - Spinach Mushroom and Feta Crustless Quiche
This low carb quiche is sure to be a family favorite.
Superfoods ->>> Eggs, spinach, feta, garlic
Tip: Serve with soup or baked potatoes for a heartier meal.
#8 - Instant Pot Lamb Curry
Using the instant pot makes this paleo dinner recipe so easy! This is the best kitchen tool for cooking healthy meals while pregnant.
Superfoods ->>> lamb meat, garlic, turmeric, coconut milk
Tip: Serve over quinoa or cauliflower rice for added nutrients.
#9 - Garlic Shrimp and Quinoa
This recipe is so simple to make! And did you know - eating only 4 ounces of shrimp contains over 100% of your daily value of selenium and over 75% of vitamin B12, two vital nutrients for babys development (source).
Superfoods ->>> Shrimp, garlic, quinoa
Tip: Use bone broth instead of vegetable broth for added nutrients.
#10 - 30-Minute Paleo Chicken Tenders
Need a healthy family friendly dinner? This recipe is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Plus they will never know its healthy.
Superfoods ->>> Eggs, avocado oil, coconut flour
Tip: Serve this with roasted potatoes or sweet potato fries and something green like sauteed kale.
#11 - Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions
Liver is an amazing superfood for pregnancy. Try this recipes to get a boost of vitamin A, folic acid, iron, and zinc.
Superfoods ->>> Liver, olive oil
Tip: Make sure to soak the raw liver in buttermilk or water + lemon juice for 2-12 hours for a better taste.
Want to have a belly only pregnancy? Check out this course for smart diet and exercise tips!
Vegetarian Pregnancy Recipes
Are you eating a plant based diet while pregnant? Or just want to pack in more vegetables and nutrients? These pregnancy dinners ideas are for you!
#12 - Vegan Quinoa Burrito Bowls
This recipe is super easy made in the Instant Pot!
Superfoods ->>> Quinoa, black beans, bell pepper, olive oil, avocado
Tip: This can also be made stove top in about 20 minutes if you dont have an Instant Pot. Still dont have an Instant Pot? This one is my favorite.
#13 - Slow Cooker Beet Chili
A delicious and unique twist on a traditional favorite. Beets give this chili an added boost of potassium, betaine, magnesium, folate, and Vitamin C.
Superfoods ->>> Beets, carrots, kidney beans, bell pepper, garlic
Tip: Use bone broth in this recipe for added nutrients.
#14 - Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup
This soup is loaded with goodness! And bonus, its made in the slow cooker to save time and energy!
Superfoods ->>> Lentils, kale, carrots, garlic, potatoes, olive oil
Tip: Soak your lentils overnight to help make them more digestible.
#15 - Instant Pot Creamy Squash + Apple Soup
This is a super warming and comforting meal for pregnant moms.
Superfoods ->>> Sweet potatoes, apples, ginger, coconut milk, pumpkin seeds
Tip: This could easily be made in the slow cooker as well.
#16 - Vegan Lentil Chili
Make this recipe any way you please - stove top, slow cooker or instant pot!
Superfoods ->>> Lentils, black beans, avocado, bell pepper, garlic
Tip: Leave out the hot peppers in this recipe, if you suffer from pregnancy indigestion.
#17 - Moroccan Chickpea Quinoa Power Salad
This salad comes together very quickly. Hearty enough to be eaten alone, or serve as a side dish. It includes the pregnancy superfood dates which are high in calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and zinc.
Superfoods ->>> Chickpeas, quinoa, carrots, dates and pistachios
Tip: Make a big batch of this on the weekend and eat throughout the week.
Did you know that date fruit is super beneficial during pregnancy? Check out more date fruit recipes for a faster labor HERE!
Slow Cooker Recipes
Using the slow cooker is another easy way to make healthy dinners for pregnancy. Start the slow cooker in the morning and have dinner ready when you get home at night!
Save even more time by prepping all the ingredients ahead of time. That way in the morning all you have to do is dump everything in. Read more of my best time saving kitchen tips for busy moms here.
#18 - Super Simple Slow Cooker Roast
This is one of my favorite easy recipes! Slow cooked meats are super healthy because it breaks down tough cuts of meat and is a good source for collagen, gelatin and glycine. Glycine is super important for babys development and found in slow cooked meats (source).
Superfoods ->>> Beef roast, bone broth
Tip: Get a bone-in roast for even more nutrients.
#19 - Slow Cooker Chicken, Kale, and Sweet Potato Stew
Superfoods ->>> Kale, sweet potatoes
Tip: Make this even healthier by using bone in chicken thighs
#20 - Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Soup
Creamy and delicious this soup is full of flavor.
Superfoods ->>> Coconut milk, bell pepper, ginger
Tip: Use bone-in chicken and add leeks or potatoes for an even more nutrient dense meal.
#21 - Healthy Meatloaf Recipe
This meatloaf is a smart way to pack in the vegetables! Blended hidden veggies makes this recipe a healthy twist to a classic comfort food.
Superfoods ->>> Spinach, swiss chard, carrots, broccoli
Tip: Make a homemade glaze and use gluten free bread crumbs or oats to make this recipe even healthier.
#22 - Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes
This recipe uses dark meat chicken which contains lots of vital nutrients you need to grow a healthy baby. Super flavorful and a great family friendly meal.
Superfoods ->>> Bone-in chicken, potatoes, olive oil, butter
Tip: Serve over quinoa and with a side of something green.
#23 - Wild Rice Vegetable Soup
This simple recipe is hearty and super easy made in the slow cooker.
Superfoods ->>> Wild rice, kale, white beans
Tip: Freeze leftover soup in individual portion containers like these for quick and easy lunches or snacks.
#24 - Slow Cooker Lemon and Herb Chicken with Asparagus
Fresh , easy and delicious. This super easy recipes has asparagus for more folate.
Superfoods ->>> Asparagus, chicken
Tip: Use dark meat chicken or a whole chicken for this recipe.
#25 - Slow Cooker Tomato, Kale and Quinoa Soup
Superfoods ->>> Kale, quinoa
Tip: Use bone broth instead of vegetable broth for added nutrients.
Try some of these dinner recipe for pregnant women! Your belly and baby will thank you!
Pin this post for later so that you can use these recipes throughout your pregnancy and motherhood. There will be a lot of cooking and eating to do!
More on Healthy Eating from Birth Eat Love
At Birth Eat Love, we are on a mission to make healthy eating easier for pregnant and postpartum moms. Here you will find recipe ideas and tips for healthier lifestyle. Here are a few more post you may enjoy:
- Packable lunches for pregnancy - Easy and healthy ideas for lunch while pregnant that you can take to work or on the go.
- Healthy Breakfast Ideas - high protein breakfast ideas to get your day started right!
- No guilt Snacks for Pregnant Moms - list of snack ideas that are tasty and nutrient dense.
- Stocking up for baby? - this post gives ideas of the best foods to stock up to prepare for babys arrival.
Liver is not recommended during pregnancy due to the high vitamin A content. It can cause birth defects.
Thanks for your comment Sarah. There is a lot of misunderstanding about liver during pregnancy. It is very hard to get dangerously high levels of vitamin A just by eating it. It is generally considered safe to eat liver during pregnancy. This article goes over the research very well and explains the misconception – https://www.sacredvesselacupuncture.com/educatethrive/eating-liver-in-pregnancy-is-it-safe Please read if you are concerned about eating liver while pregnant.
Thank you so much for this article…I am struggling to find motivation to cook and nothing ever seems to sound good but this gave me so many ideas!! I had totally forgotten about my crockpot and instant pot! I am glad I found this earlier in my pregnancy than later.
I am so glad you found it helpful Rachel! The crockpot and instant pot is a lifesaver for pregnant Mamas! Thanks for your comment!
thanks for you sharing this article its very useful
Thank you for the great ideas that are helpful for pregnant women, I have never tried the Crockpot and I find it very useful.