Any mother worth her salt is going to be looking for ways to best nourish her family, and that includes the precious little ones still in the womb. There are many opinions out there on what’s best for you and yours , but Nina Planck’s new book, Real Food for Mother and Baby: The Fertility Diet, Eating for Two, and Baby’s First Foods
is by far is the one that I’ve agreed with the most! Her advice in invaluable and her own life experience is both fun, amusing, and touching. This book was written after her first was in the toddler stage and when she was pregnant with twins (whom she carried to full term, had a VBAC delivery with both of them, and who are now being nursed and loved at home).
Many of you will know Nina from her first book, Real Food: What to Eat and Why
Her new book brings that same mix of appreciation for traditional foods for fertility, pregnancy, post-partum and feeding your toddler and backing up her claims with research, logic, and humor. She also makes it personal by weaving her own story throughout the book. I think that a book on healthy food could be quite boring, but I have read through this book now one and a half times, and both times I’ve become engrossed! The blend of her story with the research and tips keep me reading all the way through.
Rather than simply sharing what nutrients are important, she shares what foods go along with those nutrients. For example, men need vitamin E, zinc, vitamin c, iron, folate, among other nutrients for good fertility. Women need the same, plus others. She shares what whole foods will give you these nutrients. Because she has some handy charts in the book, listing needed nutrients and foods, I have found it easy to flip to a section and find the info I need (for my next pregnancy, I will probably photocopy some of these charts to keep within easy access).
Most of all, what I appreciate about this book is that she somehow manages to share a lot of information without seeming condemning or overwhelming you. Truthfully, our bodies need a lot of different nutrients just to survive, let alone make a baby! So looking at all of the nutrient needs can seem like a steep order. But she gives such simple, yet clear guidelines that it does seem doable after all. That is a feat in itself!
Just one last note, I recommended her first book to a dear friend, who ended up loving the book. However as a conservative Christian, she was a little nervous about the evolutionary view point that appeared here and there. I think the wonderful thing is that those of us with different viewpoints can still agree on what to eat! You will find a lot of helpful information here, even if you don’t see eye to eye on the origin of Man.
There are a lot of really meaty quotes that I could share with you about how toxins are bad for you and your baby, why certain foods are vital to your health, and so on, but I wanted to share just one quote to show her practical advice as well.
“Slow down and take the long view. You have forty weeks to eat well. It’s better not to think about daily consumption of any nutrient or any food. The fabulous, abundant banquet of good foods in pregnancy books including this one, is just a notion, a list of options to encourage you. No matter what they say, you simply do not need to eat all of these foods every day, and you’ll be miserable if you try. ”
This is the kind of book, filled with practical and reassuring advice along with the meaty information you need to nourish yourself that all of us need! She challenges you to eat well, shares research frankly, but does so without piling excessive worry on you. If you are considering getting pregnant or are, I definitely recommend you get this book! I think that it will be invaluable to any pregnant woman.
And today, we will be giving away two, autographed copies of Real Food for Mother and baby. I am so excited!
To enter, all you need to do, is click on the link below to check out Nina’s site and then come back here to leave a comment saying why you would like a copy of this book. For a second entry, follow Nina on twitter (you will find her twitter link on her site) and then come back here and let me know that you are.
I am thrilled to say that Nina just signed on to be a sponsor with Real Food Media! Like all of the giveaways done with my sponsors I will be receiving a small compensation for hosting this giveaway.
Contest Rules
This contest will end Tuesday, November 17th at 11:59 PM PST. The winner will be chosen via random.org, and will be announced on November 19th. The lucky winner will have 48 hours to contact me with his or her full name, address, and phone number. You must live within the United States to enter this contest.
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We have been trying to conceive for a few months with no success yet. We became WAP-diet followers when our first child experienced allergies as a baby so I am excited to have a stronger body for my second pregnancy. Several people have recommended I read this book and I can’t wait to start it!
I would love a copy of the book. I am currently running a blog about nourishing foods, and plan to eventually become a natural childbirth instructor and a nutritionist one day (when my little ones give me enough time to go back to school, that is!). I would have loved to have had Nina’s book when I was pregnant! I believe it could have helped me in so many ways. I want to read as much information as I can on this subject, in hopes of spreading the word and helping other mothers like myself. Thanks for the chance to win!
I’d love to win a copy of the book–I’ve heard great things about Nina Planck’s first book, but haven’t yet had a chance to read it. DH and I are thinking/talking about trying for baby #2, and I know I ate absolutely terribly during my last pregnancy. This book would be a great resource to help me do better next time.
I just read both her books a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed them……….. would love to own one!
This book is in my amazon saved for later basket! Would love to win it! 🙂
I’d love to win this! I’m currently pregnant with my second child and have been trying to change my family over to a more nourishing/real food diet. This would be perfect!
I would like to win this book for my friend Amanda who is trying to prepare her health for her next pregnancy. She has a really rough time with severe nausea/vomiting and had to be hospitalized for it last time she was pregnant. I’d love to win this book for her!
oh I would LOVE a copy of this. we have recently been seeing an allergist that is hollistic and we have found that we are very sensitive to all of the common allergens. I am trying to cut out so much grain and dairy and soy, eggs and chicken too. I am constantly looking for a great book like this! thanks for the opportunity to win it!! yay!
I am currently pregnant with our first baby due in January. I have heard about this book and would love to have a copy for continued insight on pregnancy nutrition and especially for learning the best first foods for babies/toddlers.
I’ve had this book out from the library and would love to have a copy of my own!
I would love to have this book as we would like to get pregnant again and I am new to this style of eating! I can use all the help I can get!
We’re currently gestating our second child and I think the long haul approach is so valuable and encouraging when pursuing a whole foods diet, especially during pregancy with a toddler running about! I’d love to read the book for the valid advice about whole foods and the encouragement to look for the long view and not get discouraged at what food I didn’t check off the list for one day!!
I’ve read many reviews on her book and am dying to read it. Our library doesn’t carry it.
I’ve checked the book out twice from the library and I’d love to own it!
I have only been following your blog for a few weeks, but would love this book! I have son who just past the 6 month mark and I have been exclusively nursing him, but am considering introducing homemade solids too. I have been doing some research of baby food on the internet, but would love a published hard copy from a knowledgeably and reliable source on both what to eat while breast feeding, as well as what to feed my child. My husband and I took natural childbirthing classes, but the focus was more on protein content versus what types of specific foods should be eaten. I would love to have this copy for when we try for a second!
Hi. I have a baby about to turn 1 year old. He is allergic to milk protein and I have been working hard to find whole foods for him that do not contain dairy products. I am eager to read any natural food kinds of books I can get my hands on.
I’ve been visting “Nourishing Gourmet” for about a year now, making progress with each meal. My husband and I have made many changes since getting on the “Nourishing” track (buying local and organic, taking cod liver oil, experimenting with soups and soaking!)
A friend of mine recommended Nina’s book to me, and I used her “fertility guidelines” about four months ago, and we, thankfully, got pregnant with our first immediately! I took note of a few of Nina’s suggestion and am feeling wonderful at 3 months now; unfortunately, my identical twin sister (a.k.a. closest friend) is still on the journey to getting pregnant (and started before I did). We always hoped to be pregnant together! I would love to win Nina’s book for her as encouragement and some practical ways to help her make smart changes in her household’s diet! Thanks for all of the good resources. 🙂
Nina’s first book changed my life. She started me on the path to real food (I grew up on boxed, microwaved dinners every night). My husband and I are hoping to conceive, but are having a difficult time. I would love to read Nina’s thoughts on fertility!
I’m 31 weeks pregnant with baby #2. Even thought his pregnancy had it’s share of “problems” (nausea, some vomiting, heartburn, etc.) my diet has been much better this time around. I have never read Nina’s books but would love to start! I’m looking forward to introducing this baby to more NT/WAPF type foods in hope he/she would not be as picky as my 5 year old!
Since making a concerted effort two months ago to increase my intake of traditional foods, and decrease my intake of sugar, refined flours, and yellow vegetable oils (along with eliminating HFCS, hydrogenated oils, and boxed broths from my diet), I have had one migraine headache. I had previously been suffering from at least 2 a month, and closer to one or two a week. I feel better and I look healthier. I have not yet had children, but plan to within the next three years, so I want to know how to lay the foundation in my body for good fertility and a beneficial in-womb experience for my future children.
That is why I would want a copy of this book.
I’m totally in love with Nina Planck. I read her first book last year while I was pregnant with my first baby, and totally loved it. I have talked about it and recommended it to ALL of my friends and family. Most of them think I’m crazy, but I’m a believer! She has such a great cause, and I’m all for it. Can’t wait to read her second book and buy copies of it for all my friends. 🙂 Looking forward to it!
I have this book & really LOVE all the good info as far as foods/nutrition go…& I have told my friends about this book as I liked it so much, BUT I am like your friend & do not @ all agree w the heavy evolution parts. I believe in Christ & creation science all the way…so those parts just need to be overlooked & the rest of the book has a lot of good….
Jessica,
By the way, I didn’t mean to say that I did AGREE with those parts! I don’t. My friend just had a hard time overlooking those parts at first, I’ve become accustomed to reading helpful books who don’t agree with me on this topic, so it wasn’t as troublesome to me as her. 🙂
I am so excited to read this book! I’ve been using your website and a few others in conjunction with Nourishing Traditions to make a go of traditional food on my own. This book would be a huge encouragement!
I would love to read this book! I just found out a few weeks ago that I am expecting my first baby, and I would really use some guidance on how to nourish myself and my little one. Thanks so much for hosting the contest!
This looks like a great book! As a mother of five (including an 11-week-old nursing baby), I am always interested in feeding my little ones food that will nourish their bodies and promote optimum health. Thanks!
Sounds like a great book. Would love to give to my adult daughter 🙂
I’d like this book b/c I’ve gotten off my whole foods wagon recently with 2 moves in 4 months and I’m getting concerned that all my 14 month old wants to eat is apples and cheese (she actually says “eeeeeze” more than “mama” and “dada”). I need some help refocusing. Pick me! 🙂
I cannot wait to read this book! I have 3 sons under age 3…I have been nursing and/or pregnant for the last 4 years. While my nutrition has had rough patches throughout that time, I have worked hard to keep my children’s diet nourishing, whole and unprocessed. Preparing foods for them has in turn inspired my own diet! Looking forward to this book…and also now follow Nina on twitter!
I would love a copy of the book! I am 3 months pregnant and think this is the perfect book 🙂
I love this book! I wish I had another copy since mine is loaned out, with someone else waiting for it, and I’m pregnant and would like to reread parts of it as well!
I would love this book too! This is such an important topic within healthy eating. As a mother, I want to be able to give the best health I can to my children before they are even born, and to spread the word!
This is definitely a book I need! I have a 3 month old baby and plan on trying to conceive again in about a year. This looks perfect!
I’m following Nina on Twitter!
I borrowed “Real Food For Mother and Baby” from our local library at the beginning of my current pregnancy. It was so so helpful and encouraging, especially since I’m still a bit of a “real food beginner.” I would love to have my own copy to reference and lend to other mama-to-be friends!
I am just beginning to learn how to eat well and my husband and I are trying to get pregnant. I need all the help I can get!
I am also a new to WAP and would love to read more about using it in everyday life with little ones.
I am currently nursing my 9 month old and would love ideas for better nutrition for us now and when I’m pregnant with #2. I wish I would have known about ‘real foods’ before getting pregnant the first time! I’m committed to eating better and would love any practical advice.
Sounds like a great book to read! We just had a homebirth with our baby #5 on August 9. Dominik and mommy are nursing happily but we would love to read this book for more tips on feeding our family well!
And, for everyone trying to conceive, I highly recommend Natural Family Planning! It works great to postpone and conceive. Check out http://www.ccli.org for more information.
I am learning more all of the time about real food and would love to read her book. My hubby and I are planning to have a family, soon we hope. 🙂 This book would be a great help.
I would love to win this book so that I could give it to my sister or friends who are currently pregnant so they can know how to truly nourish themselves and their babies. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
I forgot to add I am following Nina on twitter, too!
Would love a copy of this book! By far one of my favorite ones on Traditional Foods! 🙂
I would definitely enjoy this book! We are very early in our “real foods” journey and also hoping to conceive another baby soon. I enjoyed Nina Planck’s first book very much.
I am pregnant with my third child. I am doing things differently this time; I am seeking all knowledge on effectively nourishing mother and baby.
This book looks so helpful for me and many of my friends. Please include me in the drawing. Thank you!
I borrowed thos book from the library and I would love to have my own copy. I’ve been following her on Twitter ever since I discovered her site.
I would love to have this book for all of my pregnant and soon to be pregnant freinds. I am finished with my family and wish I had this book when I was pregnant!!
I would love a copy of this book! I am looking for good advice and help on how to nourish myself and my babies before and after birth.