I’ve recently been reminded about the importance of having nourishing, easy snacks on hand for myself. Not only are they great to have while breastfeeding, they are also essential when your baby just wants to be held. All. Day. Long.

I have a ring sling and a Tula baby carrier (both of which I love). They make it so easy to have my hands free for when Ella needs extra cuddles. However, wearing a carrier ALL day isn’t really something I want to do, and I’ve recently injured my shoulder which makes it difficult to wear a sling or carrier at all.

So, I’ve had to get thinking about easy snacks. Today I’m grateful to my past self for making up some jars of mixed nuts (with some pumpkin seeds and chocolate chips). They fill the gap between meals, or function as a great side to any meal.

Earlier this fall we went apple and pear picking so I’ve got lots of fresh fruit to grab when my hands are full. Things like peaches, plums, pears, apples, and grapes don’t require any forethought or preparation (except for washing) but you could also prep some oranges, melon, kiwi, or pineapple for a simple snack.

Another great option, is to freeze small portions of things for smoothies. That way, you can just dump the contents into the blender, add some water and bam! A nutritious filling snack or meal, without having to get out each ingredient every time you want a smoothie.

It’s also super easy to hard boil some eggs to have on hand. Just make sure you peel them before putting them in your fridge so that they are extra simple to eat. And put them in a covered container to save your fridge from smelling too badly 🙂

Spending a few mins (10-15) to chop some veggies up can be a life saver when you’re hungry and don’t want to be reaching for unhealthier things. Veggies like carrots, peppers, broccoli, snap peas, cucumbers etc. Pairing them with some hummus or guacamole is a great way to get some extra protein or healthy fat in your diet.

Energy balls are also a great option for a simple snack. You can make them in bulk and freeze them. Eat them straight out of the freezer or thaw a few at a time. There are tons of recipes out there (try Pinterest!). I like to choose ones with ingredients that will help fill me up like oats and nut butter.

Muffins can also be full of nutritious ingredients and easy to eat one handed. I like to peel the liner off before I store the muffins, or bake them in silicone liners so they are easy to remove. Check out my rhubarb muffins here for a delicious treat.

Imagine being the receiver of a basket of one handed snacks! I think that would make a perfect gift for a new mom.

What are your “go-to” one-handed snacks? Share in the comments below!

♥ Erin