Too much soy

I was hoping that this book would have more information on nutritional requirements. Instead, there's just a listing for each trimester of what your body needs, none of which is exactly a shocker. For example, the second trimester list is Protein, Iron, Potassium, Chromium, and Vitamin C. No information on ammounts that your body needs. The information is also not all that good. For example, the book's only mention of cholesterol is a warning than high cholesterol is dangerous. During pregnancy, it's almost impossible to have too-high cholesterol: low cholesterol in pregant women has been linked to birth defects.

This book also falls victim to the blather about not to gaining too much weight. Please! You're pregnant! I'm not saying to gorge yourself with potato chips and ice cream, but the propogation of the myth that there's a certain amount that you're supposed to gain, and that under or over is very bad, is pretty annoying in a book about nutrition. I'm early on, and haven't gained a pound yet, but it's much more important to eat a healthy diet than it is to pay attention to the numbers on he scale.

I was also disapointed that it seemed every recipe included soy. I'm tired of it being labeled a wonder food, when there is little proof that it's actually healthy or nutritionally beneficial, and mounting proof that it can harm both mother and child when eaten in quantity.

The recipes were basic, and very simple: which can be a big plus during pregnancy when hunger can come on quickly, or when you're not up to preparing a big meal. But sometimes they seemed a little too basic: does anyone really need a recipe for egg salad? And I'm not sure the recipe entitled "Salmon Fillets cooked in the microwave" (instructions: microwave salmon, serve with tofu or lemon wedges) really counts as the height of gourmet cooking... particularly since there's no discussion of the dangers of factory farmed salmon that any OB will tell you about, and there's the soy problem again.

I did find the list at the very end of various different nutrients and vitamins, with what they do during pregnancy and the places they can be found, informative and helpful.

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Love it!

I love this book--Wonderful recipes--I have loved every single one that I have tried--and I really like the menu plans in the back of this book. If you love to cook--this is the book for you.

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A really helpful book of delicious substance.

I bought this book before the birth of my first child in 2003 and have been referring to it ever since for great recipes and healthful advice. My favorite aspect of the book besides the delicious and easy recipes are the specialized menus in the back of the book. These menus address special issues such as diabetic specific diet or lower carb specific diet for women that need to closely monitor their weight gain during pregnancy.

Now that I am pregnant again I refer to this book almost daily. Each recipe is accompanied by a nutritional guide - you can focus on fiber or omega-3 nutrients - maybe you need more protein or complex carbs in your diet. The recipes are delicious - like the Thai Salad or the Lentil Soup - Sometimes I forget how nutritious these recipes are and SO easy to prepare!

This book is worth every penny (and I am not one who usually enjoys cookbooks without photography). You can use this book to menus for after the pregnancy and well beyond.

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