Cravings, Breastfeeding, and the Cookie Monster Within

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The Craving Chronicles Begin

Breastfeeding is beautiful. It’s bonding, nourishing, and empowering. But let’s be real—it’s also exhausting, messy, and full of cravings that hit like a freight train. I didn’t expect to feel this hungry all the time. And not just “I could eat” hungry. I mean “I need food now or I will kill someone” hungry. So this blog is part confession, part celebration of the snacks that keep me sane. Because when the Cookie Monster within shows up, I like to be ready.

The Hunger Games of Breastfeeding

I read somewhere that sleep deprivation makes you crave comfort food. Makes sense, right? When you’re running on fumes, your body just wants sugar and snacks. And willpower? What’s that? I don’t have much of it these days. Some men love to preach about discipline and self-control, but they have no idea what it’s like to be up all night, feeding a baby, and still expected to function like a normal human.

Second Breakfast, Second Lunch, No Shame

Somehow, I lost most of my baby weight by month six or seven (don’t ask me how—I genuinely don’t know). But I’m still eating a lot. I usually have a second breakfast, and by 3 p.m., I’m definitely snacking again (or having a second lunch). Of course, lunch happens in between. I don’t eat much at night, but mornings? I’m ravenous. And hangry. Nobody should come between me and my food. Otherwise… well, let’s just say the Cookie Monster comes out to play.

Nourishing Cravings (When I’m Actually Home)

When I’m at home, I try to make something more nourishing—so the guilt doesn’t kick in completely. These are my go-to snacks that feel indulgent but still give me nutrients and energy:

Photo by Tatiana Volgutova via Canva

Three-Ingredient Breakfast Cookies

Link: Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Soft, chewy, and made with just banana, oats, and peanut butter. No flour, eggs, or added sugar. Perfect for a quick breakfast or snack—and yes, they’re vegan and gluten-free friendly! Want to mix it up? Add extras like chocolate chips, blueberries, or your favorite toppings.

Photo is from theveganbabe

🍫 Date Snickers: Nature’s Candy

Link: Date Snickers Compilation

Layer dates with peanut butter and melted chocolate, and boom—you’ve got a rich treat that tastes like a healthy Snickers but is way more wholesome.

Photo by pixelshot via Canva

🌰 Chocolate-Covered Filled Dates

Link: Chocolate Covered Dates With Pecans

Even date skeptics will love these. Filled with pecans and dipped in chocolate, they’re simple, sweet, and totally addictive.

Photo by lblinova via Canva

🥑 Avocado Banana Chocolate Mousse

Link: Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Creamy, rich, and dairy-free—this mousse blends avocado, banana, cocoa, and maple syrup into a luscious dessert. It’s paleo, vegan, and packed with nutrients.

Photo by Mike Jones via Canva

🥕 Veggie-Powered Cakes and Brownies

Link: Sweet Potato Brownies

Sneak veggies into your baking with sweet potato, beetroot, or beans. These brownies are moist, chocolatey, and surprisingly nutritious.

Photo by bhofack2 via Canva

🧇 Banana Oat Waffles for Kids (and Hungry Moms)

Link: Banana Oats Waffles

Made from mashed banana and oats, these waffles are soft, naturally sweet, and perfect for little hands—or anyone craving a healthy treat.

Snack Swaps That Actually Satisfy

Fun fact: According to nutritionists, postpartum hunger is driven by a mix of hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and the energy demands of breastfeeding. Your body needs extra calories to produce milk, and it often signals that need through cravings—especially for quick energy sources like sugar and carbs.

So yeah, the cravings are real. And relentless.

Let’s Talk Cravings—And Share Ideas

But seriously—how do other women handle this? Is it just me? Do you have tricks, hacks, or snack swaps that actually work? Or are we all just surviving one craving at a time?

👉 What do you crave most during breastfeeding? Let’s swap snack ideas!

Cravings with a Side of Compassion

If you’re deep in the trenches of postpartum life, just know this: you’re not alone. The cravings, the chaos, the second breakfasts—they’re all part of the ride. Some days I’m blending avocado mousse like a wellness goddess. Other days, I’m elbow-deep in a bag of cookies I swore I’d save for the kids. And that’s okay.

Because feeding a baby is hard. Feeding yourself shouldn’t be. So here’s to snacks that satisfy, treats that nourish, and giving ourselves the grace to eat what we need—without guilt. We’re not just surviving. We’re snacking with style, one craving at a time.

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