Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
7th out of 18 books
—
1 voter
Real Food for Mother and Baby: The Fertility Diet, Eating for Two, and Baby's First Foods
by
Nina Planck
Following the success of Real Food, Nina Planck’s Real Food for Mother and Baby explains why real food is better for woman and child.
Nina Planck, one of the great food activists, changed the way we view old-fashioned foods like butter with her groundbreaking Real Food. T hen she got pregnant. Never one to accept conventional wisdom blindly, Nina found the usual advice abo...more
Nina Planck, one of the great food activists, changed the way we view old-fashioned foods like butter with her groundbreaking Real Food. T hen she got pregnant. Never one to accept conventional wisdom blindly, Nina found the usual advice abo...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
March 31st 2009
by Bloomsbury USA
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
594)
I believe that ultimately, fertility is up to God, but we are also given the tools to help build a healthy baby by feeding our bodies the best way possible in preparation for hosting a human life. Nina is basically the poster mom for raw milk and has quite an in-your-face writing style, so be prepared. But the book has lots of great practical advice, including clear reasoning behind her nutrition advice and explanations of why each nutrient is critically important. I read this before I got pregn...more
I really liked the nutritional info in this book, my favorite bit was the advice that if a food would not have been known before the industrialization of our food supply, it is not a real, whole, healthful food. It's a broken "food" with parts missing and/or other stuff added, it is not as nature intended, and therefor not what we are supposed to be eating, and it can't give us what we need(I am a steadfast believer that anytime we are not living as nature intended there will be a price to pay i...more
As promised, I picked this back up after Holden starting eating solid foods, and by the end, I had to drop it a star in my rating. Planck gets super self-righteous about what to feed your baby, although she does admit to feeding her baby chocolate and sugar at times. Otherwise, she just feeds her kid whatever real food she's eating--regardless of how allergenic they are supposed to be, etc--so I felt a little more confident expanding Holden's menu after reading. The attitude is annoying, though....more
I read this book at 33 weeks pregnant, so I skipped a lot of the fertility and 1st and second trimester parts because I found myself going "oops" far too many times. Now is not the time to be freaking out over what I did or did not eat during the past 33 weeks! A good sanity check is my happy, healthy two-year old daughter who seems just fine despite all of the crap I ate when I was pregnant with her.
As I said in my review of Real Food, I took this one with a grain of salt. I love the concept o...more
As I said in my review of Real Food, I took this one with a grain of salt. I love the concept o...more
I think the basic premise of this book--that it's better for you and your baby to eat foods that you can spell, rather than processed foods and food-like substances--is a good one. Unfortunately, the author is so freaking annoying and self-righteous that I ended up not really caring what she thought I should eat.
Here, for example, is what she thinks you should do if nursing doesn't work out (though obviously SHE had no trouble with it). Options are listed in order of preference.
1. Hire a full-t...more
Here, for example, is what she thinks you should do if nursing doesn't work out (though obviously SHE had no trouble with it). Options are listed in order of preference.
1. Hire a full-t...more
Feb 23, 2009
Robin
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Robin by:
ARC
Shelves:
2009-list,
health-and-fitness
This may seem a strange book for me to be reading since my youngest son is 17 but my oldest son is 23 and married so I may be a grandmother sometime in the next few years but the real reason I got an advance review copy of this book was to pass it onto a pregnant co-worker figuring she would enjoy reading it. But, I had to look it over before I passed it on and I was mighty impressed with the book's empowering stance on reminding parents to feed themselves and their children healthy foods. I wis...more
Let me start by saying that I am not pregnant. Did you know that you can receive free, pre-release books through Goodreads.com? Just be careful which books you request because you may end up with ones like this.
That being said, I did find some of the information in this book to be useful. Nina Planck writes about the importance of eating what she dubs "real food" as opposed to the new age of industrial, processed goodies. However, what I can definitely do without is her "I'm the best mother beca...more
That being said, I did find some of the information in this book to be useful. Nina Planck writes about the importance of eating what she dubs "real food" as opposed to the new age of industrial, processed goodies. However, what I can definitely do without is her "I'm the best mother beca...more
For those not familiar with Planck's previous book Real Food there is a tidy chapter in the beginning of the book explaining the basic philosophy - eat food in it's most natural state and in combinations that traditional societies have been eating for years. Real Food for Mother and Baby then continues to outline the nutrients needed for each stage of new life - to conceive, to grow a healthy baby in utero, and to continue that baby's health in the first two years of life. The few conclusions wh...more
This was interesting to read as I get prepared to start giving Kiran more solid food next month. Planck is compelling in a lot of her claims (noting that heart disease is a problem that correlates more with eating chemically-laden packaged food rather than eggs was particularly compelling to me), but she does get a bit ideological here and there. She also equivocates on what she considers to be real food. Sugar is bad, although people have been eating it for 400 years, but cod liver oil is great...more
Real Food for Mother and Baby was one of those life-changing books for me. Of course I had seen "organic" food at Wegman's and heard my mid-wife tell me to avoid processed foods, but I didn't really get it. "Isn't all food organic?" I scoffed. This book explained all in a down-to-earth, sensible, intentionally not-shoving-it-down-your-throat sort of way. I couldn't read it fast enough, and by the end, I couldn't wait to clean out my cupboards and head to the farmers' market. Since then I've star...more
Jun 04, 2009
Marcy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
moms and couples planning to get pregnant anytime in their future
This was the first time I read a book about food, and I was very impressed. I've always steered away from what Nina Planck called "virtuous" eating. I just don't like the attitudes. I think that is why I loved this book. Planck did a great job of providing a lot of interesting information and data to back up her belief that we should stick to real foods: foods that are old and traditional. She was very personal as she wrote about her own food experiences. I found myself inspired to do extra rese...more
I found the author to be judgmental, preachy, and not accepting of alternative diets such as vegetarianism. She lost all credibility with me when she started advocating for eating blue cheese and drinking wine and unpasteurized milk. I cannot take advice from anyone who not only strongly advocates for doing what is widely regarded as unacceptable behavior during pregnancy, but seems to look down her nose at those who do not follow in her footsteps. I would not recommend this book to mothers, pre...more
I won this through a Goodreads giveaway.
I had a hard time rating this book, and I think the reason comes down to this: I agree with much of Planck's substance, but disagree with her style. I agree that "real" food (not industrialized) is best for everyone, including pregnant women and babies; that vitamins, calcium, protein, and fat are needed for a healthy pregnancy and baby; and that breastfeeding is best in most cases. Planck is clear and straightforward in laying out these points.
The downfal...more
I had a hard time rating this book, and I think the reason comes down to this: I agree with much of Planck's substance, but disagree with her style. I agree that "real" food (not industrialized) is best for everyone, including pregnant women and babies; that vitamins, calcium, protein, and fat are needed for a healthy pregnancy and baby; and that breastfeeding is best in most cases. Planck is clear and straightforward in laying out these points.
The downfal...more
This book is nothing more than one woman's opinion. I have survived gallbladder disease and have been forced to live on an extremely strict diet. This book proposes that if you don't eat meat, especially red meat, your odds of having a health child are slim. I am living proof this is false. My whole 1st pregancy begain and ended as vegetarian. My child is healthy and happy. The more I read this book,the more I became disgusted with the fact that she was allowed to publish this. I do not reccomme...more
I hesitate putting this in my goodreads because I only read the section on baby's first food (kind of OCD). But, I loved how this book turned everything I'd read about feeding babies on its head. How about raw ground beef for a 6 month old? Most of her suggestions aren't that weird, but basically the message is to chill out about the whole thing, avoid cereals (as are usually the recommendation) and feed the baby real foods (meaning, not processed). In fact, after finishing it, I gave Claire a b...more
A lot of this book made sense to me. Eat real foods.
However, I was turned off by how nonchalant the author was when addresses drinking during pregnancy. It is only 9 months! It is not that big of a deal to simply stop drinking for nine months. Sure research is inconclusive on the impact of small amounts of alcohol on the infant but why risk it. We know alcohol can have devastating long term impacts on brain development. I won't be the parent who makes life harder for my child because mom wanted...more
However, I was turned off by how nonchalant the author was when addresses drinking during pregnancy. It is only 9 months! It is not that big of a deal to simply stop drinking for nine months. Sure research is inconclusive on the impact of small amounts of alcohol on the infant but why risk it. We know alcohol can have devastating long term impacts on brain development. I won't be the parent who makes life harder for my child because mom wanted...more
First, I recommend this book to anyone who 1. is thinking of having kids but hasn't done any research yet or 2. people who don't have strong opinions about food or parenting (so, non-parents). When my little sisters or cousins decide to have a baby, I will send this to them.
Planck expresses, in 230 pages or less, her philosophy on food, pregnancy, childbirth, baby-feeding and baby care. And I am-- mostly-- in lockstep with her. Planck sketches in broad strokes why I eat grass-fed beef and drink...more
Planck expresses, in 230 pages or less, her philosophy on food, pregnancy, childbirth, baby-feeding and baby care. And I am-- mostly-- in lockstep with her. Planck sketches in broad strokes why I eat grass-fed beef and drink...more
A lot of it is the same stuff you will read in her first book, but with more specifics on what to actually be eating. Actually, I think there were several paragraphs completely lifted from the first book.
It was really interesting reading her story of homebirth turned c-section, at least for me. Definitely gives a new and different perspective.
She definitely throws a lot of attachment parenting stuff in there, but as much as I agree with her on most points I'm not sure it really has a place in a...more
It was really interesting reading her story of homebirth turned c-section, at least for me. Definitely gives a new and different perspective.
She definitely throws a lot of attachment parenting stuff in there, but as much as I agree with her on most points I'm not sure it really has a place in a...more
This book is divided into several sections for moms/moms-to-be. After an intro which gives some general background on the Real Food concept - basically to eat food as natural and close to the source as possible - Planck moves quickly into discussion fertility implications and benefits of a Real Food diet.
Biggest takehomes beyond the obvious "eat lots of fruits and veggies" - avoid skim milk and soy.
The next section is devoted to the 40 weeks of pregnancy and emphasizes the different nutrients th...more
Biggest takehomes beyond the obvious "eat lots of fruits and veggies" - avoid skim milk and soy.
The next section is devoted to the 40 weeks of pregnancy and emphasizes the different nutrients th...more
This book has changed my eating habits. Really and truly it has. I read labels like never before, I'm conscious of the combinations of food I eat, and I don't think I've ever felt better about what's going in my mouth. Planck's easy-to-read guide allows you to both understand what you're reading and apply it when you go to the farmer's market.
The only downside is that I feel she relies to heavily on secondary sources. (I was a history major so bear with me here.) Planck's advice, while probably...more
The only downside is that I feel she relies to heavily on secondary sources. (I was a history major so bear with me here.) Planck's advice, while probably...more
This book was given to us as a gift from a friend. We share similar food values: we're locavores, subscribe to a CSA, primarily choose organic foods, very rarely purchase processed foods (cereals and crackers!) and make everything from scratch, so the philosophies ascribed to by the author should have been right up our alley. However, this author has absolutely no qualifications in terms of nutrition, and her choices are frequently against the writings and recommendations of those with appropria...more
Nina Planck is an advocate for what she calls 'real food.' These are the staples of our ancestors, prepared in traditional ways. Fruits, vegetables, eggs, meats, cheese, and milk minimally processed if processed at all. Planck provides compelling arguments for eating this way based on nutritional comparisons.
While some of the ideas she presents for general eating and eating during pregnancy fall quite far from mainstream thinking, she does provide science to back up her claims. The stories she s...more
While some of the ideas she presents for general eating and eating during pregnancy fall quite far from mainstream thinking, she does provide science to back up her claims. The stories she s...more
I enjoyed Planck's first book "Real Food" better than this version. Maybe if I wasn't already a mother of 4, I would have enjoyed this more. Full of information on what she finds to be great food for mothers prior to conception, during pregnancy, throughout nursing, and as a baby's first foods, I found the last chapter--about first foods--most interesting *right now*. I think her ideas are pretty much in line with what child-led weaning is all about: extended nursing, and offering foods everyone...more
After hearing Nina Planck give a talk a couple weeks back, and finding her to be sensible and passionate about food, I picked up this book. It's her second; her first, 'Real Food,' probably lays more of the groundwork. Regardless, I didn't feel adrift. I like Planck's argument for cutting through so much of the hysteria about what we feed our children when. I don't know that I'm going to do everything she says, but she's certainly influenced me, and I'm glad for it.
Although I don't always agree with Plank's conclusions or her research methods (she has a habit of eschewing traditional research in favor of "common sense"), I like what she has to say about thinking of where your food's coming from. And the gov list of the dirty dozen and clean 15 produce items is very useful when making a grocery list and sticking to a budget. I just pick and choose which advice to follow and ignore the bits that don't sit well with me.
I didn't read it all, I skipped the fertility and pregnancy chapters and focused on the nursing and feeding the baby. The general message is good: whole foods are good for everyone, including the little ones. I also like the guideline for "when is my baby ready for solids?" answer: when he can sit on his own. That said, I found her tone judgemental and slightly annoying. I could have done without some of that, but it's clear others have treated her the same way, so it's her way of fighting back,...more
I am not pregnant and probably won't ever be, but I sped-read this one before giving to my pregnant friend. I was not amused at some of the recommendations from the author (un-pasteurized milk? Seriously?), but I do think some women can benefit from this book by reading the ins and outs of why organic and/or free range food is so much better for all of us, especially babies & children, so I gave it 2 stars. I just think some of the author's views are just too extreme for me, and I'm pretty p...more
So I know that this book wasn't looked well on by the Weston Price Group (something that she really cared about) but I really liked it. It'd read so many 'food' books that I was freaking out about what to feed Nellie, especially because she was on formula. This book helped me to relax and just enjoy food again; keeping some basic principles in mind. It also gave a lot of information about how food can affect fertility.
Nina is so spot-on. Love this and Real Food... nice synopsis for regular folks on Weston Price's seminal work in the 30s. Bring on the fresh veggies, fish, beef, milk and real butter, baby!!!
Celia is eating egg yolks voraciously and little chicken livers... bananas, squash, apples. Lots of self-led solids (not doing a ton of mashing). This relates to this book and the Baby-led solids book.
Celia is eating egg yolks voraciously and little chicken livers... bananas, squash, apples. Lots of self-led solids (not doing a ton of mashing). This relates to this book and the Baby-led solids book.
This book has been an invaluable resource while nursing and pregnant. I refer to it often to get ideas of what real food I can add to my diet to build the growing baby's muscle, bones, brain, etc... It's very simple and easy to follow as long as you are already on the path of eating "real food". I think I need to purchase this one and add it to my kitchen library.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Nina Planck, author of Real Food and the Farmer's Market Cookbook, is an expert on local and traditional food. In 1999, she created the first farmers' markets in London, England. In New York City, she ran the legendary Greenmarkets. Nina lives in Greenwich Village with cheesemonger Rob Kaufelt and their son, Julian."
More about Nina Planck...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Jun 01, 2009 11:53am