These easy hospital bag snacks will keep your energy high during labor and birth! Learn what to pack in your hospital bag for you and your partner.
As a labor nurse and mom to three, I have made a list of the best snacks to bring to the hospital during labor. These snacks will help you during labor and birth by providing quick energy and some are full of healthy fat, protein and fiber to keep you feeling full.
Can I eat during labor?
One of the most common questions asked by my patients is “can I eat during labor?”
While this definitely depends on your provider and your history, most patients are able to eat during labor. Whether or not you have an appetite is another thing!
Things like labor induction, epidurals, c-sections, or natural labor affect what is allowed when it comes to eating during labor. Talk with your provider about what your options are.
Tips For Your Hospital Bag
When packing your labor snacks, be sure to pack things that keep easily. Avoid things that are quick to spoil, and instead go for more shelf-stable items.
You may also want to avoid things too bulky or heavy. There will be a lot of other things in your hospital bag to keep track of!
I usually recommend bring more bland foods for labor. Things that are heavy in spice can taste extra yucky if you vomit during labor. Bland foods are more likely to keep your tummy happy and your energy levels high.
You should also pack snacks for postpartum, or to keep your support person taken care of. You may feel extra hungry in the days following delivery, especially if you are breastfeeding.
These hospital snacks for dads, moms, doulas, support people, and partners will make sure they are feeling energized and ready to support you during labor and birth.
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The best snacks for your hospital bag
Applesauce pouches
Applesauce pouches are a great source of energy. They are full of healthy carbohydrates and sugars.
Plus, applesauce is easy to digest and good for the belly. They are shelf stable and don’t require refrigeration.
Applesauce pouches are a great snack for the hospital bag because they are easy to eat in labor! You can easily eat one between contractions for a quick burst of energy.
Vegetables
Things like carrot sticks, broccoli, cauliflower and celery sticks are great healthy snacks for your hospital bag.
Choose a hearty vegetable that won’t spoil quickly. To keep them lasting longer, place them in a reusable container with a towel at the bottom to absorb moisture, and keep them cool in a lunch box.
Yogurt pouches
Similar to applesauce pouches, yogurt pouches are easy and convenient. They are a great snack during labor because they are loaded with easy-to-digest carbohydrates and are easy on your stomach. They also have fat and protein to keep you feeling full and energized for a long time.
Go-Go-Squeeze pouches are shelf stable and don’t need to be refrigerated. They are an easy source of carbohydrates and calories for breastfeeding as well.
Trail Mix
Trail mix is a great snack to pack in your hospital bag! You can buy these little individual packs or make it yourself with your favorite nuts, dried fruits, and chocolate candies or chips.
Trail mix is meant to provide you with healthy fats, protein, and carbohydrates. This will help you feel full throughout labor while giving you a lot of energy.
The best part is you don’t need to eat a lot to feel the effects. If you are someone that feels nauseous when in pain, this is a good choice for you.
Dried fruit
Raisins, mango, apple, or coconut are great dried fruits to pack in your hospital bag.
Mini boxes of raisins are a great to snack on during labor. Dried fruits provide quick carbohydrates to give you energy!
Related: Can Prenatal Massage Induce Labor? The Scoop On Acupressure And Pregnancy
Crackers
Crackers are a great choice because they can help settle your stomach as well as make you less hungry.
Bland crackers can give you easy to digest carbs which can help give you a burst of energy. Labor is hard work, and it is important to keep your energy up!
Any cracker is fine, it all depends on what you normally like. Cheddar crackers like Goldfish or Cheez-Its, graham crackers, or saltines are all great snacks for a hospital bag. You can also try sandwich crackers, like peanut butter crackers, for a more complete snack (they have carbs, protein, and fat!)
In my opinion, crackers are the best hospital snacks for dads and partners during labor. They don’t have a strong odor and can be eaten discreetly.
Granola Bars
The great thing about granola bars is there are so many varieties. You can really tailor it to your taste.
Bring a few different kinds to see what sounds good during your birth. Throw in a few extra for your partner, too.
Granola bars are a nice, light hospital bag snacks. They last a long time and don’t take up much space.
Protein bars
If your labor lasts a long time, you will be happy you packed protein bars. Protein bars are one of the best snacks to bring to the hospital during labor.
Protein bars are very filling and will help you maintain your stamina. There are so many kinds to choose from, so I would recommend packing a few different kinds. You never know what will sound good to you during labor and delivery!
Protein bars are a great snack to pack in your hospital bag if you are diabetic. They digest slower than granola bars to keep your blood glucose levels steady.
Peanut butter sandwich
If you aren’t so sure about hospital food, pack a few peanut butter sandwiches for an easy meal.
Add a little jelly or honey for a complete, yummy sandwich. It makes for a balanced labor snack that doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Related: 21 Things Dads Should Do During Labor
Candy
Candy is a great choice for quick carbs that will give you a burst of energy.
I recommend candy like Snickers, Twizzlers and gummy bears. Snickers have fat and protein to keep you full, while Twizzlers and gummy bears are easy to pack, won’t melt, and are easy to swallow.
Pretzels
Pretzels are a good hospital snack for labor because they are bland and won’t upset your stomach. They also have salt which can help if you are feeling queasy!
Pretzels are easy to munch on after a baby is born, too. They are good snacks for a hospital bag because they last a long time and can be eaten at home, too.
Cheese
Whether you pack cheese stick or cheese cubes – cheese is a great snack for your hospital bag because it has both fat and protein.
Cheese will help keep your belly full and your energy up! The only downside is you may need to keep a small cooler or have the staff put it into the refrigerator.
Sport Drinks
Think Gatorade, Powerade, vitamin waters, or Body Armor…
These drinks to put in your hospital bag may even help you breastfeed! They are great at hydrating you during labor and for the first few days of breastfeeding.
Many moms swear that sports drinks increased their milk supply. What we know for sure is that it definitely can’t hurt – they are a great thing to put in your hospital bag!
Related: 17 Of The Best Places To Host A Baby Shower That Your Guests Will Rave About
Honey sticks
Often used by runners and endurance athletes, honey sticks are a snack for labor.
They give a quick burst of carbohydrates that are great for giving you energy. Plus, they’re easy to pack and won’t take up much space in your hospital bag.
You can usually find honey sticks in the health food aisle of your favorite grocery store. Sport stores or nutrition stores also typically carry honey sticks.
Nuts
Almonds, peanuts, pistachios, cashews…whatever you like!
Nuts provide healthy fats and protein to give you long lasting energy. Nuts are a healthy snack for your hospital bag, especially for postpartum. If you are breastfeeding, nuts can give you extra calories as well as healthy fats to help you with your milk supply.
Fruit
Fruit is a great healthy snack for a hospital bag. Choose hearty fruits like apples, oranges, pears, or clementines that won’t spoil quickly. Stay away from soft fruits like berries or peaches which may spoil.
Fruits like these are loaded with fiber and will last in your hospital bag. Not only are they loaded with healthy sugars and carbs, the fiber will help keep you feeling full and satisfied.
Cereal
Cereal is an easy snack to put in your hospital bag. Most delivery units have milk available to patients if you want, or you can eat it dry.
You can portion out small bags of cereal for a quick snack, or purchase a small box to bring with you. This is a great snack for dads and partners during a long labor.
Cereal is fortified with vitamins and minerals, and some cereals are loaded with fiber, too. Pair it with some milk (most hospitals keep it stocked on the unit) and you have a complete meal of fat, protein and carbohydrate to give you energy throughout labor.
Related: Labor Advice For Moms-To-Be: 4 Things Your Labor Nurse Wants You To Know
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is easy to digest and is a great meal to have during labor.
After delivery, oatmeal can help your milk come in and many people say it increases breast milk supply!
Throw a few packets in your hospital bag and warm it up once you get to the hospital.
Pastries
Muffins, croissants and donuts are easy-to-pack carbohydrates.
Pastries often last a long time, making them a great snack for labor. Take a bite or two between contractions to maintain your energy and strength.
Grab your favorite pastries from a bakery, or get some packaged ones from the grocery store. Either way, this snack will last in your hospital bag through the entire stay.
Ginger ale
Ginger ale can help settle your stomach, especially if labor makes you nauseous.
If fizz isn’t your style, try some ginger tea with honey. It will settle your stomach and give you some sugar.
Cookies
Cookies can be a great addition to your hospital bag. Put a few small snack packs in your hospital bag for a quick source of carbohydrates.
Juice boxes
Juice is a quick, easy to stomach carbohydrate that is sure to keep you hydrated while also keeping your energy stable. Add a few juice boxes to your bag to sip on between contractions.
Rice Cakes
Rice cakes are easy to eat and great for an unsettled tummy. You can bring some nut butter or hummus packets to top them with, or eat them plain for a quick carbohydrate that is easy to stomach.
A bit heartier than a regular cracker, you won’t have to worry as much about them getting crunched up in a hospital bag. There are tons of different flavors, too, so pack a variety to see what sounds good. You can easily pack toppings to make it a heavier and more nutritious snack.
What snacks are you planning to put in your labor bag?
Let me know in the comments below! I love hearing from my readers.
