I kind of feel a little bad for my first two kids that I didn't know the information in here for when I was pregnant with them, but better late than never I suppose! There are some types of fish you should avoid when you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant, including shark, swordfish and marlin. Nichols would have been better served to point to what many pregnant people are already doing well, and how they can make simple, practical reforms for improved outcomes. Find out more about food labelling, including how the "green, amber, red" code can help you make healthier choices quickly.

a healthy diet in pregnancy - NHS Have a healthy diet in pregnancy - NHS

Real Food for Gestational Diabetesoffers an alternative to the conventional nutrition approach that embraces nutrient-dense and delicious foods that nourish you and baby without causing high blood sugar. The information meets every pregnant woman’s needs and provides evidence-based “real food” solutions.

Her unique approach has not only helped tens of thousands of women manage their gestational diabetes (most without the need for blood sugar-lowering medication), but has also influenced nutrition policies internationally.

Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Opti… Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Opti…

Further, a lot of the writing made me feel like my entire purpose in life is just to be a vessel to grow babies - where's the chapter on what if I want an occasional piece of cake? Additionally, much of the writing talks about how much your risk is increased from not eating this or that, or how you will be at risk for this or that if you aren't eating right.

The second half of the book also strays away from nutrition a bit, and I noticed that the citations for the information fell off pretty significantly. This is an extremely comprehensive book that I would highly recommend to healthcare providers, as well as ALL women, regardless of their stage of pregnancy (including those who are just in the planning stage). From debunking some of the way-too-common misconceptions about dietary fat, to the importance of micronutrients and where to find them in real food, to lab testing, to the eye-opening section on toxins, there is so much information packed into this book.

Home - Lily Nichols RDN

If the end goal of pregnancy is a healthy baby and a healthy (and happy) mom, then this book will help get you to that rewarding end! So maybe it's better she left them out and we'll just have to remember these two things: 1) God designed our bodies to filter out toxins. As a nutrition coach and mom of three, I can confidently say this is a book I wish every pregnant mom would read!

I have several recipes tagged now and have already integrated more dark leafy greens into my diet thanks to the book and I find it is accessible as well as dense with great information. A lot of the evidence for this book feels very cherry picked to be very pro animal products and anti plant based. Getting this knowledge out there will lead to more healthy and happy pregnancies, and more happy and healthy mamas and babies! I’ve learned so much about prenatal nutrition from you, I know I’m doing the right thing when it comes to preparing my body. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone who wants to give their baby the best start in life, whether they are trying to conceive or already pregnant.