5 Real-Food Ways to Beat the Holiday Exhaustion

(And Actually Support Your Energy as a Mom)

By Krista Maas de Villiers, BSc Dietetics, Founder of Nunona 

It’s the season of joy… and also the season of exhaustion. If you’re pregnant, postpartum, or somewhere in the blur of motherhood, there’s a good chance your energy is running on empty.

And it’s not just the to-do lists, skipped meals, or sleepless nights. It’s biology.
Moms are nutritionally depleted, especially in the first 1,000 days. And while sugar, caffeine, or energy bars might promise a quick fix, they usually leave you feeling worse, more tired, more bloated, more overwhelmed.

The good news? There’s a better way.

Let’s talk about real food, and why it’s the key to sustainable energy this season, and every season.

 

---

 

1. Understand Why You’re Really Tired

Your body isn’t just tired, it’s working overtime.

Whether you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, recovering from birth, or chasing a toddler, your body is:

• Building or nourishing a baby
  

• Replenishing nutrient stores
  

• Managing hormones, sleep, stress, and blood sugar
  

• Healing physically and mentally
  
  

This kind of output requires energy at the cellular level, not just calories, but micronutrients like B12, magnesium, choline, and iron that power mitochondria (your cells’ energy generators)¹ ².

 

---

 

2. Ditch the Crash Cycle

The holidays are full of tempting “quick fixes”: cookies, lattes, candy canes, and even “energy” bars or drinks.

But here’s the problem: these foods spike your blood sugar, overstimulate insulin, and cause a crash, making you feel more tired than before.

Even some prenatal supplements, powders, and gummies contain added sugars, synthetic isolates, or unbalanced macros, contributing to:

• Blood sugar swings
  

• Increased inflammation
  

• Digestive upset

• Worsened fatigue
  

 

---

 

3. Real Food = Real Energy

The best energy comes from complex carbs + fat + fiber + protein. Together, they:

• Stabilize blood sugar
  

• Promote steady insulin response
  

• Fuel hormone production
  

• Support cognitive and physical stamina
  
  

This isn’t just a wellness trend, it’s clinical nutrition. Balanced macronutrients support everything from postpartum recovery to milk production to mental clarity³.

 

---

 

4. Pregnant? Watch Your Blood Sugar

If you’re pregnant, this matters even more.

Gestational diabetes (GDM) affects up to 10% of pregnancies and is rising worldwide⁴. It occurs when pregnancy hormones block insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.

Preventing GDM starts with nutrition:

• Avoid blood sugar spikes
  

• Pair carbs with protein and fat
  

• Include high-fiber, low-glycemic snacks
  

• Skip sugar-laden snacks or bars 

Nunona is designed to help. Each bite includes organic carbohydrates, plant-based protein, and healthy fats to support glycemic control, energy, and mood, all without the sugar crash.

 

---

 

5. How Nunona Works, Without the Crash

Unlike synthetic pills or sugary snacks, Nunona is made from organic whole foods that deliver both micronutrients and macronutrients, including:

 

All 7 of our flavors deliver steady energy, without any refined sugars, caffeine, or synthetic supplements.

 

---

 

Give the Gift of Real Nourishment

Energy doesn’t come from a pill. And it doesn’t come from another latte. It comes from real food, designed for what your body actually needs during the most demanding seasons of life.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or another mama, Nunona is the gift that gives back:
✔️ More energy
✔️ Fewer crashes
✔️ Full-body recovery
✔️ A ritual that actually fits into your day

This holiday season, skip the crash. Choose the nourishment that lasts.
Explore all 7 flavors →

References 

1. Allen LH. Causes of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency. Food Nutr Bull. 2008;29(2 Suppl):S20–S34.
   

2. Wallace TC, et al. Magnesium: an under-consumed nutrient essential to health. Nutrients. 2016;8(9):562.
   

3. Blumfield ML, et al. Systematic review: effect of macronutrient intake on pregnancy outcomes. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011;94(3):759–774
   

4. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 190: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Obstet Gynecol. 2018;131(2):e49–e64.