As my third trimester approaches its end with baby Steiger #2, I have been working hard to pack my pantry and fridge with healthy homemade food. Not only do I want to be able to take it easy for a few weeks, but I also want to make sure I am eating food that is going to support my healing and my milk supply! These gluten free lactation snack bars are packed with nutrients that naturally support a woman’s body when breastfeeding.
Plus, if you have ever had the privilege of nursing a baby, you know that it comes with an intense need for snacks.
Why Am I So Hungry?
You are hungry because your body is feeding an entire human being! The NIH shares that breastfeeding mamas need at least between 1,800-2,400 calories per day depending on their activity level. Other organizations state higher calorie needs.
So as you heal from birth and begin to resume some of your everyday activities, expect your body to crave more fuel! As you become more active, your baby is also growing and becoming more active. Therefore, he or she is demanding more fuel from you too.
What Type of Snacks Should a Breastfeeding Mama Reach For?
I am certainly no expert, but here are a few snacks that I enjoy as a breastfeeding mama that fuel my body well.
- Gluten Free Lactation Snack Bars
- Nuts
- Hard Boiled Eggs (if you love deviled eggs, they’re an even tastier snack)
- Eggs are so good for preganacy and breastfeeding because they are packed with coline, folate, iodine, and vitamin D!
- Apple Slices with Peanutbutter
- Yogurt
- Bananas
- Cheese
Can Anybody Eat These Snack Bars?
Yes! My daughter and husband have already broken into my stash and are loving them! You do not have to be a breastfeeding mama to benefit from this nutritious snack. The bars are a delicious balance of nutty and sweet that everybody enjoys.
Can You Make These Snack Bars Dairy Free?
Yes! The only ingredient that contains milk is chocolate chips. You could simply omit them, but I suggest swapping traditional chocolate chips out for Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips. They are linked in the ingredient list below. You can typically find them at Walmart or Target.
Ingredients for Gluten Free Lactation Snack Bars:
1/2 cup of softened butter
2 cups of peanut butter
1 1/2 cup of brown sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon of maple syrup
2 teaspoons of vanilla
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of milled flaxseed
3 1/2 cup of old fashioned oats
2 teaspoons of baking soda
1 cup of dark or semisweet chocolate chips (for a dairy free option use Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips)
1 cup of almond slivers
Directions for Gluten Free Lactation Snack Bars:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a mixer, stir together 1/2 cup of softened butter, 2 cups of peanutbutter, and 1 and 1/2 cup of brown sugar.
- Add three eggs and mix until completely combined.
- Add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup and 2 teaspoons of vanilla. Mix again.
- Next add all of the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl.
- Start mixing with the mixer on low. Then mix on a slightly higher speed until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Line two 9×13 pans with parchment paper.
- Divide your gluten free lactation snack bar dough evenly between the two pan and press it down all the way to the corners.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes.
Allow the bars to cool completely. Lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper and transfer them to a cutting board. Slice them into snack-sized bars. Store them in a container in the fridge or individually package them in zip lock bags.
Gluten Free Lactation Snack Bars
These gluten free lactation snack bars are packed with nutrients that naturally support a woman's body when breastfeeding. Plus they are soft, chewy, and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of softened butter
- 2 cups of peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon of maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of milled flaxseed
- 3 1/2 cup of old fashioned oats
- 2 teaspoons of baking soda
- 1 cup of dark or semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup of almond slivers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- In a mixer, stir together 1/2 cup of softened butter, 2 cups of peanut butter, and 1 and 1/2 cups of brown sugar.
- Add 3 eggs and mix until completely combined.
- Add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup and 2 teaspoons of vanilla. Mix again.
- Add all of the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl.
- Start mixing with the mixer on low. Then mix on a slightly higher speed until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Line two 9x13 pans with parchment paper.
- Divide the gluten free lactation snack bar dough evenly between the two pans and press it down all the way to the corners.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pans before slicing and storing.
Notes
Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge or package individually in zip lock bags. Gluten free lactation snack bars also keep well in the freezer! Take one out as needed and they will still be soft and chewy as they warm up.
Make-Ahead and Freeze
These gluten free lactation snack bars are super easy to make ahead of time and toss in the freezer. I love putting the bars into zip lock bags individually so that I can grab one to go whenever I am headed out of the house for a few hours. They keep really well in the freezer and are still soft and chewy when you take them out.
Can You Make Gluten Free Lactation Snack Bars into Cookies?
Yes! However, I like the bars much better. The cookies can be tricky to bake without them becoming dry and overbaked. The bars have a much better texture and consistency in my opinion. Plus, it takes far less time and mess to make this recipe into bars than it does cookies!
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Other Granola Bar Recipes
Homemade Chewy Granola Bar Recipe – These are delicious and easy to make. I also teach you how to make your own granola to use in this recipe.
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