Incredibly Simple Date, Havarti And Prosciutto Adult Lunchable Idea

This lunchable inspired meal is one of the quickest and most satisfying way to turn 6 dates a day into a fulfilling, satisfying and protein packed meal. Plus, you get to feel like a kid all while doing something to show yourself a healthy dose of self care.

Why This Recipe Is So Good For You Pregnant Moms!

There are so many rumors and myths out there about specific foods that can help your body prepare for birth. A lot of people wonder if there is any science behind them. Well, maybe there’s not hundreds of thousands of people studied in published studies about date consumption at the end of pregnancy. But there is published research. And it is quite startling.

The Journal Of Obstetrics And Gynecology published research showing that mom who ate 6 dates a day have a number of benefits.

1. Women who ate dates were further dilated before arriving to the hospital. Simply being further dilated when you reach the hospital, is one way to reduce your risk for a c-section. So I consider this a pretty big win.
2. Women who ate dates had a significantly higher proportion of intact membranes. This means you water hasn’t broken before labor begins. You bag of waters, or membranes, are an important protection to baby, and so this is another big win.
3.  Spontaneous labour occurred in 96% of those who consumed dates, compared with 79% women in the non-date fruit consumers. Letting labor start on it’s own is another way to reduce your chance for a c-section and avoid or limit the likelihood of a cascade of interventions.
4.  Use of prostin/oxytocin was significantly lower in women who consumed dates than those that did not consume dates. Pitocin is a drug often used in birth, but with some considerable risks. So being able to safely avoid it’s use is another big win!
5. The mean latent phase of the first stage of labour was shorter in women who consumed date fruit compared with the non-date fruit consumers (510 min vs 906 min). This means, all of the benefits of eating dates, resulted in shorted early labors for moms who ate them vs those that didn’t. 510 minutes of early labor is 8.5 hours. 906 minutes is 15.1 hours. This is the amount of time a mom was having contractions before she hit active labor, which starts at 5 cm.

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Why Else Is This Recipe So Good For You?

Another thing I love about this recipe is that it has many different food groups. When I make it, I usually pair it with one of those salad kits you can make from the bag so that half my plate can be vegetables. Plus it has tons of protein and a reasonable amount of fat.

One of the things that I teach about in my childbirth class is the importance of a well balanced and well rounded diet in pregnancy. There is a significant amount of research that shows that whole food protein can help reduce the risk of premature birth. This recipe not only has those extra sweet dates, but tons of protein.

I always suggest what I learned from Rebekkah Dekkar the Author of Real Food For Pregnancy.

The Plate Method

I try to aim for 1/2 of your plate to be non starchy vegetables. 1/4 of the plate to be carbs, and 1/4 of the plate to be fats + proteins. When this meal is paired with a simple and quick salad, it gets pretty close to these proportions.

How Does Whole Food Protein, Complex Carbs, And Adequate Nutrition Help Prevent Prematurity?

Well, in many ways. First it helps boost the immune system to help prevent infections that can cause chorioamnionitis and membranes rupturing early. The liver also uses a lot of protein to produce albumin and protein supports the expanding blood volume – reducing the risk that preeclampsia will develop. Making sure the body has enough nutrients helps mothers and babies in many ways.

But, animal studies have shows, that while a powdered protein may have it’s time and place – it doesn’t have the same protective qualities of a well rounded whole food based diet.

Ingredients

So what do you need to pull off this meal?

1. A salad kit (though this is not pictured!)
2. 6 pitted and diced dates (the goal intake each day if you’re doing the date trick)
3. 2 ounces havarti cheese (incredibly buttery and sweet + high protein)
4. 3 strips prosciutto (which we will cook and turn nice and crispy just in case)
5. Crackers of your choice (I like whole wheat ones with seeds, but pick your favorite)

Can You Eat Proscuiito While Pregnant?

We would refer to the CDC to answer this question. This is what they have to say:

“The main danger to pregnant women from luncheon meats is Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria commonly found in the environment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that if pregnant women want to eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, or other deli meats, the meat should be heated to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F or are “steaming hot.” These products should be eaten soon after heating and should not be allowed to stay at room temperature or returned to refrigeration temperatures.”

So yes, you can. But this is why we choose a crispy prosciutto over right out of the fridge.

Instructions

This recipe for Date + Havarti + Crispy Prosciutto is so easy you can whip it up in minutes. First, if you are pairing with a salad kit, throw half of all the ingredients from the kit into your bowl. Mix and set aside.

Next, tear apart the three pieces of prosciutto and toss on small pan. Heat until mildly crispy.

All that’s left if cutting the dates and cheese into bite sized pieces. Assemble everything together on a plate, and in less than 5 minutes you have an incredibly satisfying meal. Something sweet, savory and absolutely delish!