Prenatal nutrition is a multifaceted and intricate field. You have probably been given a lot of well-intentioned advice about what to eat (or what not to eat), but unfortunately, much of it is outdated or not supported by evidence. In today's episode of the Curious Women podcast, we talk about healthy eating during pregnancy, recovery, and breastfeeding with Lily Nichols. Lily is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author passionate about evidence-based prenatal nutrition and exercise. Also, her work is well-respected for its research orientation, thoroughness, and commonsense because she draws from both modern scientific literature and the knowledge of traditional cultures.

[03:01] Background – Lily shares her background in premarital and postpartum nutrition.

[09:14] Major Myths - Lily explains the most prevalent false beliefs she observes among her people and the most recent research regarding the foods we are advised not to consume during pregnancy.

[12:36] Eggs and Fruits -  Why are eggs, fruits, and vegetables singled out during pregnancy?

[17:39] Infections -  Lily outlines a range of pregnancy-related concerns, including those related to food poisoning.

[24:09] Non-Negotiable Foods - Most important foods that should not be avoided while pregnant.

[30:40] Vegetarians -  Lily provides guidance to vegetarians who want to include nutrient-dense foods in their diet.

[39:00] Nutrient Reserves -  If you are fit enough to conceive a child, you almost certainly have some nutrient reserves stored away in your body.

[50:52] Alcohol -  Lily expresses her view about the consequences of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

[55:35] Postpartum Support -  Is there anything, in particular, that should be kept in mind to maintain breast milk supply or to support the woman's body postpartum?

Resources:

Connect with Lily:

Instagram: instagram.com/lilynicholsrdn/?hl=en

Website: lilynicholsrdn.com/

Mentioned in the episode:

Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition: goodreads.com/book/show/38726601-real-food-for-pregnancy

031 Prenatal Vitamins with Ayla Barmmer: What You NEED Know Before Buying: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/031-prenatal-vitamins-with-ayla-barmmer-what-you-need/