I'm Pregnant! Now What Do I Eat? Excellent Guidance for Expecting Mothers.
Written: Aug 31 '07 (Updated Aug 31 '07)
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Pros: Excellent reference materials, nutritional tips, easy recipes.
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: Taking care of nutritional needs is very important during pregnancy, and this easy-to-read guide allows for a one-stop reference for mothers looking to best feed themselves and their babies!
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| Bijou's Full Review: Hope Ricciotti and Vincent Connelly - I'm Pregnant... |
The wonderful reference/ cookbook/ nutrition guide I'm Pregnant! Now What Do I Eat?, written by Hope Ricciotti, M.D. and Vincent Connelly, is a fantastic resource that I am glad to have discovered. With my baby due in ten weeks, I learned a great deal about pregnancy and nutrition from this book that I didn't know before. Anyone can benefit from the nutrition tips in the book, because eating healthy is a positive choice for all! Yet if you are planning to become pregnant, are currently pregnant, or are post-partum, this book will be a touchstone to learn best how to feed your body and give it the best nutrition that will ultimately benefit your baby.
The text is organized into two sections: Your Diet--Your Pregnancy, and Recipes--Eating for Two. In the first section, readers will discover colorful, glossy pages and photography, as well as loads of tips about vitamins, minerals, weight gain, exercise, eating tips, and more. I appreciated that there are separate chapters devoted to each of the pregnancy trimester, because when I read the book, I was in my second trimester. For each trimester, readers will find eating tips, common ailments, and observations concerning how your body is changing at this time. For example, in the second trimester, the authors explain that expectant mothers may experience hot flashes, mood swings, and constipation. What is beneficial about this reference book is how it addresses nutritional remedies for these ailments. Constipated? Add extra fiber, restrict caffeine, and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Mood swings? Adding some omega-3 fatty acids to your diet may help stabilize the shifting moods. Hot flashes? Dress in layers and make sure to stay hydrated.
Helpful eating tips and nutrition charts really educated me about what my body needs at this time. While it is fairly well known that pregnant women need to snack (the whole pregnant-woman-eats-midnight-snack-cliché), I'm Pregnant! Now What Do I Eat tells readers not only WHAT to eat, but WHY it is a nutritional choice. It advocates snacks like dried fruit and nuts to supply you with heart-healthy oils, nutrients, and fiber. After reading about the health benefits of dried and fresh fruits, I continued to eat my beloved berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries) but now I added dried fruits to my food choices, like my morning cereal. Before I'm Pregnant! Now What Do I Eat?, I didn't know how I could benefit from eating dried cranberries every day. Now I know I am providing my body with powerful antioxidants when I eat this sweet treat.
Overall, the first section of the book gives practical advice about what your body truly needs during pregnancy. Here are some tips from the author:
--To handle heartburn, eat smaller meals often, and not too close to bedtime.
--In the third trimester, take care of your iron needs because you will be depleted due to the baby's need for iron.
--Fatigued? Try energizing meals that are rich in unrefined carbohydrates, such as brown rice and whole grain options.
--Nausea? Ginger is a scientifically proven remedy for nausea and motion sickness. Use fresh or ground ginger in recipes, such as smoothies or meals, or suck on crystallized ginger for relief.
The second section of I'm Pregnant! Now What Do I Eat? features sixty recipes that are designed to maximize nutritional value while tasting great. The co-author, Vincent Connelly, is a chef and the husband of Hope Ricciotti, MD. The two of them created a great resource that can help expectant or new mothers plan healthy meals without a hassle.
Each recipe is easy to read and prepare. Listed are the benefits one will gain from eating the meal. For example, I followed the recipe for "Beef in Red Wine" that is rich in iron and vitamin c. This hearty stew was a hit with my husband, and I prepared it with no-yolk egg noodles over which I spooned the rich sauce that came from red wine and pureed tomatoes. If I were to make this recipe again, I would adapt it for the slow cooker to make the beef even more tender.
Because I suffer from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), I feared that I would not be able to find recipes that would be tolerable for me. Fortunately, the recipes are IBS-adaptable or friendly (substituting the no-yolk egg noodles was a choice I made so as not to trigger my IBS).
I also tried the recipe for Chicken Thighs With Vinegar and Sweet Peppers, which is listed as rich in iron and folate. From this recipe, I learned this tip: "Many think of beef as rich in iron, but you may be surprised to know that chicken is also a great source of well-absorbed iron. Both tomatoes and bell peppers help with the iron absorption." A tasty main dish, the chicken was tender and flavorful. I felt good knowing that I was feeding my body, baby, and family with smart, nutritional choices.
There are recipes for cooked and quick breakfasts, light snacks/ meals, soups, salads, side dishes, speedy/ special suppers, and desserts & smoothies. Even with my temperamental stomach, I was impressed with the selection of recipes and look forward to making more!
Towards the conclusion of the book, helpful nutrition charts serve as a quick reference so that you can see a particular food source (such as fats), foods that fit in that category (avocado, salmon, peanut butter), and serving sizes (1/2 fruit, 4oz, 2 TBSP). The book DOES feature tips for vegetarians throughout the first and second sections, and vegetarians can find even more tips in the nutrition charts, such as "Vegetarians should aim for four servings of protein a day." Meat, poultry, tofu, and fish--at 4oz--is one serving.
I used the "Pregnancy Superfoods" chart to restock my pantry--these are superfoods because they are loaded with nutrients that are beneficial for pregnancy:
* asparagus
* blueberries
* cranberries
* salmon
* spinach
* dark chocolate (YAY)
* eggs enriched with omega-3 fatty acids
* yogurt
* silken tofu
* pasteurized cheese
I also referred to the "Pregnancy Pantry" chart to ensure that I had healthy and quick ingredients on hand--from this chart, I added to my own cupboards dried cranberries, slivered almonds, romaine lettuce, honey, oranges, red pepper slices, canned tomatoes, flat leaf parsley, tofu, and mushrooms. Readers will find a variety of food options to supplement their tastes and needs in the home.
My only complaint is that I wish I had learned of this fantastic book as soon as I became pregnant. I loved learning more about what my body needs at this time of my life and how I can ensure that my baby is getting the most nutrients. This would be a great gift to a friend who is pregnant--and if you are pregnant, it will be a wonderful gift to you and your baby!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Bijou
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Location: New Digs in New Jersey
Reviews written: 132
Trusted by: 174 members
About Me:
I think I need a coffee addict intervention.
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