Prenatal nutrition

Prenatal nutrition is critical to establishing a strong foundation for overall pregnancy outcomes. Eating healthfully can impact risk factors for gestational diabetes, anemia, and other vitamin deficiencies. 
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I received a copy of REAL FOOD for PREGNANCY during my most recent pregnancy. When I looked through this book I noticed that it recommended a diet similar to the one that I was already following after having bloodwork done and realizing I needed extra nutritional support. Now that baby is here, this book has resonated with me even more having experienced some complications during and after delivery. I am very glad that I worked on my diet and built up my iron stores. Had I not, postpartum would be very different than what it has been.

REAL FOOD for PREGNANCY, written by registered dietician Lily Nichols, is a goldmine of nutritional information for pregnant people. She goes against the grain (no pun intended) of the traditional recommended diet for pregnancy and identifies nutritional deficits that are present in the current American prenatal diet; the requirements for vitamins B12, B6, iron and many others are missing based on the current food recommendations. Yes, one can take a prenatal vitamin to help meet these needs, but many prenatals are often lacking in good quality forms of nutrients. 

REAL FOOD also navigates postpartum and eating healthfully for breastfeeding and building up nutrient stores that are low after pregnancy.  She even provides some of her favorite recipes to try which can be prepared with whole food ingredients and a few simple steps. She includes recipes for shepherd’s pie, bone broth, and even a few healthy desserts.

This book is full of interesting information and I definitely learned some new info!  For example, did you know taking a certain probiotic during the last weeks of pregnancy can boost immunoprotective compounds in human milk??

If you are pregnant, know someone who is, or work with pregnant people, I’d highly recommend this book! 

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