Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition

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Lily Nichols is like the Michael Pollan of prenatal nutrition. Real Food for Pregnancy is an enlightening and informative read that focuses on the quality of food rather than calories. Having worked with Lily, it’s refreshing to hear from a dietitian I trust, who values research, truth, and real world application. Brittany Maughan, RD Real Food for Pregnancy covers an astounding amount of research and makes it enjoyable to read, all while giving readers super practical steps to take to ensure their best pregnancies. I really enjoyed reading about the ancestral traditions surrounding pregnancy, and Lily masterfully ties them together with the most up-to-date research available on pregnancy nutrition. This goes way beyond the importance of folate… there are so many amazing science nuggets in here! Even the most up-to-date pregnancy science nerds are guaranteed to learn something (i.e. the uterus contains up to 800% more collagen at the end of pregnancy…woah!). This book is unique in how beautifully it bridges the gap from academia to real-life implementation. I am not aware of a more complete compendium of practical knowledge on pregnancy nutrition, toxin protection, and overall well-being. I’d recommend this book to all women in their childbearing years (and their practitioners). Getting this knowledge out there will lead to more healthy and happy pregnancies, and more happy and healthy mamas and babies! Madeleine Ruffa Lily’s second book, Real Food for Pregnancy, is an evidence-based look at the gap between conventional prenatal nutrition guidelines and what’s optimal for mother and baby. With over 930 citations, this is the most comprehensive text on prenatal nutrition to date. I’m not saying that none of the recommendations have merit, but there are too many sloppy mistakes for me to take the overall message very seriously. For example, deficiencies in choline, vitamin B12, folate, iron, and iodine (among others) can impair brain development. On the flip side, adequate intake of these nutrients is protective.

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

With over 930 citations, Real Food for Pregnancy is an evidence-based book that presents as the most comprehensive text on prenatal nutrition to date. Real Food for Pregnancy is replacing my Prenatal/Maternal Nutrition textbook. The information meets every pregnant woman’s needs and provides evidence-based “real food” solutions. Rochelle Anzaldo, RD FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov. Accessed Jan. 27, 2022 Nutritional management of nausea, food aversions, heartburn, constipation, preeclampsia, and much more. Dietary Guidelines and Online Materials: Food sources of vitamin D. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-sources. Accessed Jan. 19, 2022.I have read numerous books on nutrition and Real Food for Pregnancy is simply incredible. I always tell my patients that I don’t practice out of popular books. Lily Nichols’ book seems to fit in a different category as it is really of textbook quality; it could be called an easy reading version of an encyclopedia of nutrition. Lily is meticulously thorough in combining current scientific understanding with the wisdom of the past. Nutritional demands are undoubtedly most intense during pregnancy, and Real Food for Pregnancy offers crucial insight into the importance of eating a nutrient dense diet during this time. John Madany, MD

Real Food for Pregnancy Book | Real Food for Pregnancy

You may have heard about the book, but what is it really about? Is it really that much different than the prenatal nutrition information you get from your healthcare provider? And what does it mean to have a real food pregnancy? You’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes; you want direction and reassurance in simple language (or you’re a healthcare provider seeing clients with gestational diabetes) FAQs: Nutrition during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/nutrition-during-pregnancy. Accessed Jan. 19, 2022.The toxins chapter also made me cringe a bit because I get the sense the author is a teensy bit out of her lane here-especially when she starts to veer into vaccine hesitancy territory. She says she believes in informed consent, but when you are scaring people out of using common household items that the vast majority of people use and may not be able to afford otherwise you are engaging in fear-mongering in my book. We need to talk about realistic risk and practicality here. Using stats, especially those from animal studies require context and discussion about clinical significance and you have to be VERY careful about applying those outcomes to humans. As a dietitian who specializes in women’s health, Real Food for Pregnancy will be an invaluable resource for me and my clients for years to come. Lily has bravely called out where we have gone wrong with prenatal nutrition and artfully combines modern science with traditional wisdom in a must-read for anyone who is pregnant or planning to have a baby. She managed to cover everything I’d personally want to see in an effective prenatal text from genetics, to nutrient bioavailability, to misconceptions, and much more. Ayla Barmmer, MS, RD Lily Nichols is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author with a passion for evidence-based prenatal nutrition and exercise. Drawing from the current scientific literature and the wisdom of traditional cultures, her work is known for being research-focused, thorough, and sensible. Her bestselling book, Real Food for Gestational Diabetes (and online course of the same name), presents a revolutionary nutrient-dense, lower carb diet for managing gestational diabetes. 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. This book is a powerful investment for any woman wanting to ensure the health of herself and her unborn child. It is the perfect blend of science and practicality. I can’t recommend Real Food for Pregnancy highly enough. Belinda Fettke

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

Specifically, regarding liver, I’m going to try incorporating it into my diet, and plan to try out your recipe for liver pate. Would the dairy (and thus calcium) in the recipe hinder absorption of the iron from the liver? My iron is low so I need to be focusing on that right now. Real Food for Pregnancy is doubly important for mamas-to-be, as it goes into detail on a number of topics that aren't usually covered by doctors, including—but not limited to—common nutrient deficiencies in pregnancy (and how they can affect you and baby), lab tests to request from the moment you find out you're pregnant, the benefits of regular movement (as well as a primer on what's safe and what's not), common pregnancy symptoms (and how to manage them), the truth about gestational diabetes (plus what to do if you're diagnosed), and tips on navigating the fourth trimester. She even provides an index of recipes at the end of the book to help with healthy meal planning. Loved! I recommend this book for every woman who is pregnant of thinking of becoming pregnant. Read it as early as possible. The most valuable and up to date book on nutrition. Really informed many good behaviors for my nutrition and makes me feel much better about the prenatal I selected based on her recommendations. Overall, this book was incredibly helpful. I loved the refreshing perspective that food is our best medicine and the best way to nourish our bodies, whether pregnant or not.Plus, mothers will learn how to navigate the 4th trimester, to include wisdom from traditional cultures, foods to emphasize and using nutrient dense foods to support breastfeeding, physical recovery, and many more tips to thrive postpartum. Postpartum recovery and nutrient repletion is commonly overlooked, but key to mother and baby’s health. Finally, a book about nutrition in pregnancy that won’t put you to sleep, and might, in fact, make your mouth water! No sign of the ‘Pregnancy Police’ here, as Lily brings together a straight-talking combination of ‘sauce and science.’ As a midwife, this book will be on my must-read list for every pregnant person I know.