Give Basic Scrambled Eggs A Major Protein Boost With This Ingredient

These days, you can forget pickles and ice cream — eating while pregnant has become a science, and for good reason. We know more than ever about how food affects both mother and baby during pregnancy. But while knowledge is power, all the guidance on what to eat can make eating for two feel like a job in itself. That's why we love simple meal hacks that do the work for you, like the protein-packed addition of cottage cheese to your morning scrambled eggs.

Protein is one of the top nutritional needs during pregnancy, and cottage cheese mixed into scrambled eggs turns an already protein-rich breakfast into a super-charged meal that tastes as good as it is for you. One egg already has 6 grams of protein, along with tons of vitamins and minerals, including DHA and choline, both key nutrients for cognitive development and cell growth, and vitamins A, D, E, and K, along with several B vitamins. Mix in ¼ cup cottage cheese, and you'll add 6 grams more of protein, plus potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin B12.

Protein works wonders for both mother and baby. It's central to fetal development and growth, and it helps stabilize blood pressure and reduce pregnancy swelling while supporting blood flow to the uterus in mothers, which translates to a higher nutrient transfer from mother to baby. Protein can even help to reduce morning sickness! Postpartum, protein helps restore and replenish the body after giving birth, and it's essential for maintaining health in lactating women. If that weren't enough, according to research from Maternal and Child Nutrition, eggs may also enhance the nutritional profile of breast milk. Plus, eggs with cottage cheese are so easy to prepare, it'll be a filling, nutrient-dense meal you can whip up in a flash before and after baby is born.

There's no set recipe to follow here. Just whisk together eggs and cottage cheese, and prepare as you would scrambled eggs. A good rule of thumb is about ⅛ cup cottage cheese per egg, but add more or less depending on your preferences. Cottage cheese gives the eggs a creamy, fluffy texture with a subtle flavor profile. If you aren't a fan of cottage cheese curds, you can use an immersion blender for a smoother consistency before cooking. Though it offers slightly less protein, Ricotta cheese is a good alternative if cottage cheese just isn't your thing, and either will yield creamy, fluffy eggs. And you don't have to stop there. Make this breakfast even more nutritious and delicious by adding your favorite veggies: bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, onion, or your favorite omelet combination. Be sure to add your favorite spices for the finishing touch.

Two eggs plus ¼ cup cottage cheese equals a whopping 18 grams of protein — not bad for a quick breakfast! As beneficial as eggs and cottage cheese are throughout pregnancy and beyond, it's worth tweaking the combo so it can be a meal you come back to again and again for an easy, inexpensive meal that meets your nutritional goals while tasting great, too. Still, it's not uncommon for pregnant women and new moms to grow tired of eggs, so keep this list of other protein-rich foods handy if you get egged-out.