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I recently worked with a client who has a nickel allergy. For her, most of the one-handed snack recipes aren't an option. So I went on the hunt for nickel-free postpartum snacks. It took a lot of digging. Since nuts are high in nickel, everything I found would work for nut-allergy parents too. Here are the recipes along with a few substitution ideas and easy-to-grab snacks.
One of the possible substitutions for oats is quinoa. These delicious bars have become a favorite of my clients. You can use frozen or dried cranberries. If you use dried, soak them in water for about 20 minutes first.
In this recipe, substitute the rolled oats for barley. Barley has moderate nickel content (0.1-0.5 mg/kg) that's comparable to eggs so you might want to limit yourself to one bar a day. That could be a challenge because this twist on a breakfast bar is delicious.
These amazing bars freeze well, so mix up a double batch or make them during your pregnancy so they’re ready to go after the baby is born. Blackberries are variable in their nickel content. If you want to stay on the safe side, you can substitute blueberries. Drizzle with honey for added sweetness.
I like to use this blender because of its versatility and power. I used the pitcher to blend the main recipe ingredients. Then, instead of mashing the blackberries by hand, I pulsed them in the single-serve cup. That made for a quick recipe that was in the oven in minutes.
This muffin recipe calls for pecans but I have never included them. In my opinion, muffins should be soft, not crunchy. So, omit the nuts and this is a delicious, nutritious, and filling nut and nickel-free postpartum snack.
If you have a sweet tooth like mine, this chocolate pudding is the perfect dessert. Or snack. No one's judging here. It's made with avocado so it's full of the good fats that your body craves after birth, especially while breastfeeding. Avocado is another food that's variable in its nickel content. This recipe uses half a medium avocado for three servings. That's roughly 2 to 5 mcg of nickel per serving.
You'll also want to use milk chocolate with a low fat content in order to keep the nickel content in the moderate range. I like Divine milk chocolate* for this. Melt three ounces of chocolate bar and substitute for the cocoa powder. You can add more chocolate for a stronger flavor. Skip the nut butter topping and try blueberries, mango or graham cracker. This is another easy blender recipe!
*This chocolate is made in a plant that processes nuts and may not be appropriate for those with severe nut allergies.
This is probably the healthiest option yet. Full of protein and veggies, you can't go wrong with an egg muffin for breakfast. These are much better fresh but you can freeze them for a make-ahead. I like to top them with melted cheese or sour cream after reheating to combat some of the moisture that's lost.
Other Ideas
Apples dipped in yogurt-- use full fat greek yogurt sweetened with honey for extra health benefits
Fresh carrots, cucumbers or peppers dipped in yogurt seasoned with garlic and lemon
Smoothies
Kale chips
Cheese and crackers
Try these out and let me know what you think. Or comment with one of your own favorite recipes for the community to try.
Cheers,
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