Read Real Food for Pregnancy The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition Lily Nichols 9780986295041 Books

Product details Paperback 346 pages Publisher Lily Nichols (February 21, 2018) Language English ISBN-10 0986295043

Real Food for Pregnancy The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition Lily Nichols 9780986295041 Books Reviews

• I didn't discover this book until the last leg of my 3rd pregnancy- but it was still worth every penny! I've read other preg food books (especially with the 1st kid when everyone gifts them to you), and I found them all to be largely the same and unimpressive. THIS book, however, is a game changer. Here's how
  
  1. Science - The author has done more nutrition research than many doctors I know. She doesn't just make recommendations, she explains WHY she is making them based on how all the macro and micronutrients function inside your body. She cites studies AND explains those studies (eg. clinical vs epidemiological, sample size, other considerations, etc.)
  
  2. Detail - Everything is here. Meal suggestions, recipes, vitamin/supplement explanations, conversation about controversial foods like sushi, lunchmeat, coffee, wine, etc., historical and international anecdotes, common complaints, exercise, mental health, nursing, and recovery. Etc. Etc.
  
  3. Empathy - Yes, I nerded out about all the science^, but just as important is the author's incredible understanding of how stressful, difficult, and confusing pregnancy and postpartum can be. She's been there, and she tells you about her experience, too. She knows that no one is perfect and that we can't always do things optimally all the time. She always presents the information with a practical approach and multiple options. She provides the base for you to use and tailor however you need.
  
  Additionally, you can look up the author online- she has a million helpful (totally free) articles with even more information. Plus you can sign up for her newsletter (still more good, free info), and I can personally attest that if you write to her with questions, she writes back and answers them!
  
  I wish I had this book from the beginning, and I will (and have been) recommend(ing) this book to every pregnant, nursing, and TTC woman I know! Honestly, I recommend this book even to people who aren't pregnant, just as a great guide for general nutrition. There is a ridiculous shortage of up-to-date, evidence-based nutrition information IN GENERAL, let alone relating to pregnancy. Having these resources is truly invaluable!
• I was honored to be an early reviewer of this book and even though prenatal nutrition is my specialty as a nutritionist focused on women's health, I learned a TON while reading it. It's somehow both a practical guide that anyone could use and also, basically, a textbook, filled with more than 900 citaions. To say that it's evidence-based would be the understatement of the century. This book will get you REALLY questioning where we are today in terms of diet and lifestyle recommendations pre-conception and during pregnancy...and both excited and empowered to take control of you and your baby's health. All of my pregnant clients will be getting a copy of this book! And if you are a health practitioner, you need to read this book because the prenatal nutrition guidelines that are circulating are basically a regurgitation of non-evidenced based "no to do or eat" lists, and completely void of some critical information that all women have the right to know.
• If you're thinking about getting pregnant, already are pregnant, or even just want to learn more about how to eat quality, whole foods, GET THIS BOOK! Just do it, you won't regret it!! This book is backed by science and research, and has all the information you need to know to help you grow a healthy baby. I wish that this book had come out before I had my first two children. There is a severe lack of prenatal information given to pregnant women and this book is the answer we have all been looking for. If all your OB has told you is to take a prenatal vitamin, stay away from undercooked eggs and meat, avoid sushi....etc....then you DEFINITELY need this book. It addresses a lot of the "traditional" prenatal advice but also gives evidence-based information to tell you what foods you should REALLY be eating and avoiding. I am sure that if every single pregnant woman were to read this book while pregnant, this could very well prevent a lot of childhood physical and behavioral problems as well as help most mothers have a smooth pregnancy with a full recovery. This book also has good information for EVERYONE! While reading it, I couldn't help but read practically every other paragraph out loud to my husband (much to his annoyance haha). But it has information that is beneficial to everyone. For example, this book discusses the negative side effects of using and heating up plasticware for food because of the potential of chemicals that are leached into the food, which can impact our hormones and affect numerous processes within our body. After reading this part to my husband, he finally took me seriously and switched to using glass containers to store and heat up his food at work. The bottom line- BUY AND READ THIS BOOK! It has information that could be life changing for you, your baby, and even those around you!
• The author has lots of strong biases, so it's hard to know how "science-based" the book is. It is easy to find a journal article to cite to support your bias/opinion. She is very anti-vegetarian and makes misleading statements (e.g., implying there are no plan-based total proteins, which is completely incorrect). Other than for coffee and caffeine, she does not present all the data or the different sides of an argument, making it difficult to make an informed decision.
• I almost didn’t get this book. I’m not pregnant yet and the price was a little deterring. I’m now almost done with the book and am wishing I had this when I was pregnant with my first! I’m also incredibly grateful I’m reading this before getting pregnant and am already starting to implement some of her nutritional advice. Lily does a fantastic job of presenting entirely up to date, evidence based nutritional information that is easy to read. She even recaps at the end of each section which is very helpful. It’s empowering to have all the facts and make enducated decisions for myself and my future baby. I can’t wait to compre this next pregnancy to my first with all the info I got here. Thanks for an amazing resource Lily. Hope this isn’t your last book!