Cupcakes, Yes—Cheese Boards, No
Baby showers aren’t complete unless you have fun games, good people, and better food. However, with so many dietary restrictions and nauseating trigger foods, it can be hard to know which dishes to serve. We’ve got you covered!
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1. Deli Meats
On any other day, charcuterie boards and deli meat spreads often wow loved ones—but they’re best avoided at baby showers. Moms-to-be usually can’t indulge in spreads like this, leaving them in the lurch while guests chow down on salami.
2. Oysters
Oysters and pregnant women don’t mix, so keep them off baby shower menus. Given that raw seafood is one of the biggest pregnancy no-nos, the guest of honor can’t do much about an oyster platter. Even if they’re served cooked, it’s ill-advised for pregnant women to indulge too much anyway.
3. Baby-Shaped Cakes
You’d think baby-shaped cakes at a baby shower are a slam dunk…but they aren’t. Everyone will have to watch in horror as some unlucky guest does the cutting—and it’s not something incoming moms (or anyone, for that matter) need to see.
4. Cream-Based Salads
With all the games and conversation, it’s hard to tell when guests will eat. That’s exactly why you should avoid cream-based items like macaroni or potato salad. No one wants to dip their spoon into a mushy, congealed dish!
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5. Pinwheels
While you don’t need to sidestep pinwheels entirely, you should be mindful of which ones you make. Plenty of ingredients go soggy or won’t agree with pregnant tummies, so it’s important to avoid fillings like ham, tomatoes, or mayo.
6. Smoked Salmon
Though hot smoked salmon is safer, try to avoid this dish altogether. Lots of common fish are off the table during pregnancy, making popular seafood items a bad idea for baby showers. Don’t worry, you can indulge once the bun’s out of the oven!
7. Anything with Nuts
Baby showers bring all sorts of people together—moms-to-be often invite work friends, childhood pals, and family all under one roof. Though it makes for a great time, it also opens the door to unknown allergies. Unless you personally know everyone in attendance, skip nuts to avoid disaster.
8. Inappropriate-Looking Food
For some reason, baby showers can breed inappropriate-looking foods. Anything from excessive chocolate pudding to bizarrely decorated cakes dampens the mood; play it safe and stick to traditional finger foods.
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9. Cheese Boards
Who doesn’t love a good cheese board, right? All that brie and camembert and mozzarella! As much as guests appreciate the gesture, poor pregnant bellies can’t handle all that dairy. While some cheese isn’t as harmful as others, it’s best to just leave it all behind.
10. Hard Liquor
Brunch showers call for mimosas, not aged whiskey. Simple options like sparkling wine or spritzers keep things classy without encouraging any belligerence. Even though mama can’t indulge, there’s nothing wrong with giving guests a little pick-me-up.
Now that we’ve covered the bad and the ugly, it’s time to dive into good food options!
1. Pasta Dishes
You don’t need to bring anything heavy like chicken parm or lasagna—an easy pasta salad is more than enough for hungry attendees. They’re also one of the best dishes for a crowd since they’re easy to make and have all sorts of inoffensive flavors.
2. Taco Bars
On the other hand, taco bars kick things up a notch! It’s easy to keep ingredients separate and heaven knows guests can get their fill. Tacos are also considered a pregnancy-safe food, which means moms-to-be aren’t left behind.
3. Simple Salads
Salads are delicious and versatile, making them a must-have at baby showers. Whether you pack it with protein or stick to greens, salads are the one thing guaranteed to leave the food spread.
4. Crudité Platters
We know those cheese and deli meat platters sound good, but don’t dismiss the power of crudité. They come with all sorts of nutrient-rich veggies like carrots and celery, not to mention those tasty dips. There’s something for everyone regardless of what you include!
5. Fruit Plates
They taste amazing, they’re filled with essentials, and they’re perfect for pregnant tummies—we’re talking about fruit, of course! You have dozens of safe options like oranges, apples, and berries, though you can also cater to life’s sweeter side with chocolate-covered strawberries.
6. Bruschetta
Bruschetta is packed with all kinds of healthy ingredients; tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil star in this classic app and can be made in just a few minutes. It can get a little messy, though, so make sure you have plenty of napkins available.
7. Cupcakes
It’s not a baby shower without cupcakes! You can infuse them with chocolate, coat them in sprinkles, or mix and match flavors. Whether you frost them pink or blue, this fluffy dessert is a crowd-pleaser every time.
8. Deviled Eggs
They may not be your cup of tea, but pregnant ladies love deviled eggs. So do most partygoers. They’re a simple dish you can whip up in no time, and guests can stuff their faces throughout the shower.
9. Caprese Skewers
Mozzarella is fine for most pregnant bellies, making caprese skewers a go-to baby shower snack. You don’t need much else besides fresh basil, mozzarella balls, and cherry tomatoes—all that’s left are the balsamic glaze and watering mouths.
10. Something for Mom
When pregnancy cravings call, someone has to answer! It’s always nice to treat the guest of honor with something that caters to their needs and current dietary restrictions. From dishes they crave to foods without nauseating ingredients, don’t forget the mom-to-be.
