Eat Well Spend Less: Food Resolutions (Recipe: Baked Brown Rice Pilaf) (2024)

We’re a little over three weeks into the new year which is long enough to put your food resolutions to the test – if you made any. In this January edition of our Eat Well, Spend Less series, we’re taking a look at those goals and how we’re measuring up.

I recently shared my intentional food goals for 2012 (and loved reading yours in the comments!), and the one that I have to address daily is eating well for baby.

Diet in the third trimester is requires a bit more thought than usual for one obvious reason: I’m always hungry. Snacking takes on a whole new meaning, shifting from a casual appeasing of the munches to a full on survival tactic.

Thanks to an ever-growing uterus pressing on my stomach, I can’t comfortably eat a regular sized meal. Often my plate holds the same amount of food as my preschooler – and I’m feeling stuffed after the meal; hence, I eat small meals, but more frequently.

Eating Well, For Baby

While I am pregnant, I rely on regular snacks to keep my energy levels up during the day, instead of caffeine or other stimulants. This is why smart snacking is so essential. These are not merely cravings I’m trying to pacify, I’m counting on these small meals to nourish baby and mama for the best possible outcome.

Four months ago I shared a snapshot of my pregnancy diet, however, a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables is easy enough in September. Now that we’re in the cold January months, things are a little different.

Instead of sliced tomato sandwiches, leafy salads and zucchini bread, I’m relying more on winter vegetables, grains, and frozen berries for smoothies. Here’s a sample of some of my favorite snacks.

Smart Snacking Suggestions

• Dried fruit and nuts, Apple Chips
• Whole-grain toast, Marisa’s Apple Butter
• Fruit-Bottom Yogurt
• Stove-top popcorn with a handful of Parmesan cheese
• Coconut Milk-Raspberry Smoothie
• Celery & Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
• Honey-Oat Cookies
• Firm cheese, sliced apples or pears
• Berry Powerful Bars
• Whole-wheat wrap with sliced avocado & cream cheese
• Rice Bowls (read on for details)

Brown Rice: A wholesome snack or mini-meal alternative

So why is a big pot of rice featured in a post about snacking? Because I’ve found brown rice ‘bowls’ to be my latest affordable, healthy, and energy-boosting snack. I’m kind of addicted, actually!

I try to have a stash of cooked brown rice on hand nearly all the time (it keeps for several days in the refrigerator) and it makes the base for my small meals of rice bowls. I top the rice with something green – chopped celery leaves, shaved fennel, scallions – add a fried or poached egg, and tuck in. Add-ins can include whatever I have on hand – cooked vegetables, diced ham, shrimp, or shredded chicken. It’s a fast, nourishing meal.

If I’ve cooked the rice without spices, I’ll often turn the rice bowl into a quick pudding by adding dried fruit, cinnamon, milk and a drizzle of honey. 2-3 minutes on a medium power in the microwave, and I’ve got a bowl of comfort food.

Want more variety? Roll the rice in a wrap with beans and sliced avocado, and there’s another simple lunch for mom.

Baked Rice: My preferred method

Below is a simple side dish you’ll want to add to your weeknight repertoire, pregnant or not! I’ve been baking my brown rice ever since my restaurant days, where we baked huge vats of it for staff meal and it came out perfect every time.

Something about the slow, constant heat of the oven does wonders for the brown rice, which has a tendency to be either mushy or crunchy when cooked on the stove top. In the oven, each grain is perfectly fluffed and the much-loved nutty flavor shines through. Some sauteed onion and a dash of spices turns an ordinary side dish into a comforting and fragrant pilaf that you are sure to love.

What is one intentional healthy food goal for 2012 that you are working on?