Almond Recipes for a Pumping Mama

Nuts, in general, are powerful complements to a balanced diet. They are high in proteins and essential fatty acids. The amino acids contained in nuts are building blocks for serotonin: a necessary neurotransmitter for lactation. Research suggests the best nuts for improving milk production are almonds.

Here are a few of our favorite recipes featuring almonds. The cereal bars are a great on-the-go snack and this artsy take on the Ants On a Log childhood classic is a perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

Cranberry Almond Bars

Yield: Makes 40 (1 1/4- x 3-inch) bars
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter
1 (10 1/2-oz.) package miniature marshmallows
1 (15-oz.) box honey-almond-flax multi-grain cluster cereal
1 cup raw almonds
3 cups crisp rice cereal
1 (6-oz.) package sweetened dried cranberries
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

Melt 3 Tbsp. butter in a buttered Dutch oven over low heat.
Add 1 (10 1/2-oz.) package miniature marshmallows, and cook, stirring occasionally, until melted. Remove from heat.
Meanwhile, process 1 (15-oz.) box honey-almond-flax multi-grain cluster cereal and almonds, in batches, in a food processor until finely ground
Combine ground cereal and almonds with 3 cups crisp rice cereal, 1 (6-oz.) package sweetened dried cranberries, and 1 tsp. salt. Stir into marshmallow mixture.
Press cereal mixture into a buttered 15- x 10-inch jelly-roll pan.
Let stand 1 hour.
Cut into 40 (1 1/4- x 3-inch) bars

Artsy Ants on a Log

Yields: 2 Servings

Ingredients:

2 ¼” slices of crusty bread, toasted
Almond butter
2 celery stalks, shaved on the diagonal
1 date, finely chopped
sea salt and olive oil

Instructions:
Spread toast with almond butter.
Top with celery and date.
Season with salt and drizzle with oil.

For more recipes and breast pumping tips, check out our full blog.