If your due date is fast approaching, you may find yourself in nesting mode. It’s very normal to feel the need to clean everything in site.
Why not make the most of this surge in energy and pre-cook some healthy eating meals for the family that you can freeze and defrost for those early weeks with a newborn.
And if you’re looking for a ‘we’re having a baby checklist and we have no idea what we need and what we don’t’ – check out our list here.
It’s very easy in those busy first few weeks to find yourself existing on a combination of no sleep, coffee and toast. But if you want to look after yourself, get some much needed energy, and ensure you have a good milk supply, healthy eating should be high on your priority list.
Also be sure to stock up on Healthy Mummy Smoothie mix. These are a life saver when you need something quick and easy for breakfast or lunch.
When your baby is just a few weeks old isn’t the time to be focusing on losing pregnancy weight. Instead, just try to focus on healthy eating and doing some gentle exercise such as a walk with your baby in the pram or carrier.
Healthy Mummy Tip: when friends and family ask if there’s anything they can do in the weeks prior to bub’s arrival – say YES. Ask them if they could drop over a meal that you could pop in the freezer.
In the meantime, here are 8 of our favourite meals that you can prepare in advance (if you have the energy – otherwise why not recruit your friends or family to help you out?!).
1. Double Batch Bolognese
Bolognese is so good to have on hand. Serve it with pasta and salad, pop it on top of a jacket potato, or wrap it up with salad in a burrito. When cooking Bolognese, get into the habit of cooking double batches and then you will have a few family-sized portions in the freezer. Try this Super Saucy Bolognese recipe.
2. Slow Cooked Leg of Lamb
Shred the cooked meat and once cooled, place in single serve containers or zip lock bags with some of the sauce. These are perfect to use in a toasted sandwich, to stir through a tomato pasta, pop onto a wrap or roll for lunch, serve with roast veggies, or place on top of a jacket potato.
Recipe here.
3. Pumpkin Soup
Make a big batch of Pumpkin Soup and once cooled, freeze in single serve portions (zip lock bags are perfect). Then you will always have a healthy lunch ready to go.
4. Slow Cooked Meatballs
It’s so easy to defrost a family sized portion of these saucy meatballs in the microwave. Serve with salad, pasta or rice for a quick family meal.
Recipe here.
5. Shepherd’s Pie
Just like the lasagne, you just need to stop before the final step of baking the pie in the oven. Once cooled, cover with cling film and freeze. When ready to cook, remove cling film and bake for an hour in a 180C oven. Our recipe is here.
6. Vegetable Curry
You can pack loads of healthy veggies and legumes into a vegetable curry, so make a double batch if you like. Then just serve with some brown rice and steamed greens for a wholesome meal for the whole family.
We love this Pumpkin and Lentil Curry.
7. Spinach, Mushroom & Ricotta Cannelloni
You can cook this completely in advance, then freeze. When ready to eat it, just place in a warm oven until golden and bubbly.
Recipe here.
8. Veggie Lasagne
All you need to do for this meal (pictured at top of page) is to prepare it up until the step where you cook it. Cover the dish with a lid and freeze, then when you’re ready to eat it just bake for around 90 minutes, removing the lid in the final 20 minutes to brown the top. Try our Healthy Lasagne recipe here.
Need more meal ideas? Check out our range of cookbooks here.
Every month on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge, we run a BRAND NEW 28 Day Menu with a different theme so you NEVER get bored!
Next month’s theme is WINTER! – Perfect for the chilly weather, SUPER easy to whip up and still just as healthy.
If you are curious about the 28 Day Challenge recipes then we have a 28 Day Challenge recipe pack for you to try HERE. 
Find a delicious range of healthy recipes, packed full of energy boosting ingredients and nutrients together with easy to achieve exercise.
