Meal Train Meals for Pregnant Women

I belong to a Mommy Group of wonderful women.  I joined the First Time Moms when I was pregnant with my first baby.  Now, two years later, 6 of us are pregnant again, and I know that number will keep getting higher.

One of the greatest thing anyone could do for a new mother is set up a meal train.  I remember being so physically drained after child birth and so overwhelmed with having a newborn I didn't have the energy or time to get to the grocery store.  I would have loved a meal train and I know those mothers that have had it tell me how amazingly helpful it was.

So what to make??  Here's some ideas.  Now, my disclaimer is: you don't have to do all of these things, anything you do will be more than appreciated.  Don't get overwhelmed.  Do what's easy and manageable.  Also, make sure what you give is in a disposable Tupperware.  It's easier on her if she doesn't remember who's dishes belongs to who.


Main Dish

• Any casserole - Casseroles are great because they are a one dish meal and they feed a lot of people.  Give half to your family and take half on the train.  Ie. Tuna Casserole, Chicken Tetrazzini.

•  Italian dishes - ie. Lasagna, Mac and Cheese, Chicken Alfredo, Pesto Pasta, Ravioli, Tortellini, Shrimp Scampi, Bolognese, Spaghetti and Meatballs.  Again, Italian dishes are either already large recipes or easy to double.  Feed your family and theirs. My favorite meal was heating a bunch of frozen meatballs in marinara and eating it on a french roll... meatball subs are hearty and the best!

• Pizza - Another Italian Dish.  Easy to make two when already making one.  Don't have time to make one?  Pick up a pizza.

• Soup - Soups are hearty.  Make some soup or pick one up at the grocery store (no cans... come on...) Pick up some french bread or sourdough and good to go!  Soups usually also feed a lot of people!!  See a theme?  Don't forget Chili... also a viable option.

• Sausages on a roll.  A hot dog may be rejected, but who would reject a sausage on a roll?

• Slow Cooker recipes.  I have failed at every slow cooker recipe I've ever made... but if you have one you like.. go for it!

• Mexican - Enchiladas, Tamales, Tacos, Fajittas.   

 I know a lot of these meals aren't the healthiest and Atkins would probably smack you himself, but a woman who just gave birth is trying to survive... not watch her waistline.

 
Side Dishes and etc.

The problem with not getting to the grocery store is... you never have fresh fruit or vegetables.

• Easiest side dish to do is a salad.  Pick up a ready made bag.

• Include some fruit with your meal train meal.  Who doesn't love fruit?  Bananas, Apples, Oranges, and Grapes are all fruit that last a long time.  So if they don't eat it within the next two days, they should still be ok.

• Veggies are a little trickier than fruit.  You don't know if they'd actually eat it?  But baby carrots last forever and with some hummus... a great snack! 

Desserts

Be a doll and a get a recovering women some chocolate.

• Get cookie dough and make some cookies.  The great thing about cookie dough is you can make a couple cookies and freeze the rest.  Giving 2 dozen cookies to a new mother is a little excessive.

• The store usually has a slice a cake, a cupcake, a brownie or something that is easy to pick up. Again, a new mother doesn't need 20 brownie bites.

• Easiest??  Buy her favorite candy bar!  Easy enough!  Who doesn't love Snickers?? 

Gifts

• A bottle of wine - Congrats mama!  You can drink again!!

• Flowers - What women doesn't appreciate flowers??  My mom tends to buy me potted plants... not really my thing.  But I understand, some may not want to worry a new mother about a vase.  Orchids have been my favorite go to... they last forever and they only need an ice cube twice a week.  Or... buy a bouquet... I'm sure the new mama has a vase.

• Coffee or tea.  She's gonna need it!  Or a gift card to Starbucks or Coffee Bean.  Better yet??  Bring her some Starbucks or Coffee Bean!  Teas... Green Tea or an energy booster tea or a Camomile or sleepy-time tea.  A new mother's schedule is so out of whack they can't sleep when they want and they can't stay awake when they want.  Some teas could help.  There are also some specialized teas for motherhood.  A box of "mother's milk" tea is an awesome suggestion because breastfeeding is a huge concern of all new mothers and that tea really helps.

• A small baby gift.  A cute little onesie, booties, stuffed toy, pacifier.  Something small.

• Can I mention chocolate again?

So there you go!  If you are visiting a new mother to see her new little bundle of joy... it would be really nice if you came bearing something.  A new mother appreciates it more than you'd realize.

Have a friend who is giving birth soon?  Create her a meal train.  You set the dates people bring the food and it says the family's food preferences.  Share it with your friends and family by e-mail or on a social media site like Facebook so they can sign up to participate.  A meal train can be created at: http://www.mealtrain.com/