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

Dive into the most evidence-based guide to prenatal nutrition ever written with “Real Food for Pregnancy” by Lily Nichols RDN CDE — essential reading for any woman who wants to nourish her pregnancy with food choices backed by research rather than outdated guidelines or conflicting internet advice.

Lily Nichols spent years reviewing the primary research on prenatal nutrition and found something that surprised her: many of the standard recommendations given to pregnant women — including guidance on carbohydrate intake, fat consumption, and key micronutrients — were not well supported by the evidence, and in some cases contradicted it. This book presents what the research actually shows about optimal nutrition during pregnancy, covering the key nutrients required for foetal brain development, bone formation, immune function, and healthy birth weight, and explaining which foods provide them most effectively. She addresses the role of animal proteins and fats in pregnancy honestly, examines the evidence on gestational diabetes management through diet, covers supplement recommendations with careful attention to forms and dosing, and provides practical meal guidance for navigating morning sickness, food aversions, and the real-life challenges of eating well during pregnancy. Every claim is referenced, and the book includes over 120 pages of citations.

Whether you are an expecting mother, a midwife, a registered dietitian, an obstetrician, or a nutritional therapist working with pregnant clients, this is the most thorough and scientifically grounded prenatal nutrition resource currently available.