Beat Pregnancy Fatigue & Get Your Body Moving With These Pregnancy Safe Smoothie Recipes (Great For Postpartum Too!)

An obstacle you might face when striving for your fitness goals is having the energy to work out and get motivated. Fatigue is a common symptom in pregnancy & postpartum — and you’re not alone if you’re going through it.

Don’t worry though, because we’re breaking down what causes pregnancy fatigue, sharing some quick tips to beat pregnancy fatigue, and 3 smoothie recipes that are packed with the nutrients you need to beat pregnancy and postpartum fatigue. Let’s dive in.

What causes pregnancy fatigue?

You’re growing a tiny life inside you, mama! That’s enough to make anyone tired but pair that with nausea, pregnancy insomnia, and all the other symptoms you’re battling, and you’ll probably be feeling the most tired you’ve ever felt before.

Pregnancy fatigue often starts as soon as you become pregnant and your hormone levels change. As you get into the second trimester, you might find your energy levels return to normal and you have what a lot of women think of as a “honeymoon” period. Unfortunately, when the third trimester hits, lots of those early pregnancy symptoms, including fatigue, return. But don’t worry! We have all the info you need to beat pregnancy fatigue below.

What food & nutrients can help beat fatigue during pregnancy?

The best thing you can do to beat fatigue in pregnancy is to prioritize sleep when you can, but we know that’s often easier said than done. Here are a couple of other top tips for beating fatigue during pregnancy:

• Eat smaller meals more often to help keep your blood sugar and energy levels balanced right throughout the day

• Stay hydrated! Tiredness can also be a symptom of dehydration, so be sure you’re drinking water throughout the day.

• Try keeping your bedroom slightly colder than the rest of your house to promote better sleep & help you fall asleep faster

• Eat foods that contain essential nutrients for energy production and focus on nutrients over calories… See below for the perfect fatigue-fighting recipe!

With all that in mind, it’s time to…

Try 3 recipes to peat pregnancy fatigue (great for postpartum too!)

Beat pregnancy fatigue with this banana fig smoothie

Servings: 1 | Prep time: 2 minutes | Chill time: 15 minutes

This smoothie recipe provides you with slow-release sources of energy to help combat fatigue!

The Vitamin C in this recipe will also help boost iron absorption (key for energy) and it contains a range of B Vitamins to help keep you feeling stronger, for longer. 

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup almond milk

• 3 dried figs

• 1 banana

• 2 TBSP of dried oats

• 2 tsp baobab powder

• 2 tsp flaxseed

Here's how to make it: 

1. Roughly chop figs and remove any stems.

2. Put all ingredients into a blender and blitz until smooth.

3. Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Calories: 338 | Fat: 8g | Carbs: 57g (8g Fiber, 33g Sugar) | Protein: 12g

This recipe makes 2 servings

Total cook time: 5 minutes

Beat pregnancy fatigue with this energy-boosting kiwi smoothie

Adequate iron intake is key to healthy functioning and an essential nutrient for energy production. Start your day the right way with this energy-boosting, iron-packed smoothie.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 banana

  • There’s around 0.3 mg of iron per small banana

• 2 kiwis, peeled and sliced

  • There’s around 0.2 mg of iron per kiwi

• 1 cup of baby spinach

  • There’s around 0.8 mg of iron per cup

• 2 tablespoons old-fashioned oats

  • There’s around 1.4mg of iron per 40g

• 1 cup of milk of your choice

• 1/2 cup of ice

Here's how to make it:

1. Using a blender, blend all ingredients on low speed until creamy and smooth, adding additional milk of your choice as needed.

2. Tip into two large glasses, garnish with fresh kiwi slices, and enjoy!

Mega magnesium smoothie recipe

Servings: 2 | Prep time: 5 minutes | Chill time: 10 minutes (optional)

This smoothie might just be able to help as it packs a powerful magnesium punch! Aim to drink about 2 hours before exercise.

Magnesium is important for energy creation, and it's also known to combat muscle cramps and support healthy mood stabilization -- so it's an awesome nutrient to get your fill of. Just about every ingredient in this smoothie has a good dose of magnesium -- so drink up!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1 banana

• 1 TBSP flaxseeds

• 1 TBSP hemp seeds

• Handful of kale

• 4 pitted dates

Here's how to make it: 

1. Put all ingredients into a blender and blitz until smooth.

2. It tastes even better chilled, so you can pop it in the fridge or freezer for 10 minutes

3. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Calories: 216
Fat: 7g
Carbs: 32g (5g Fiber, 22g Sugar)
Protein: 8g

Let us know what recipe you want to see next by leaving a comment below!

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