The Harvard Medical School guide to healthy eating during pregnancy

Walker (pediatrics, Harvard Medical Sch.) presents the latest findings on the connection between fetal health and the later health of individuals. Tips on what to eat (whole grains, protein, vegetables), what to avoid (caffeine, alcohol, nicotine), supplements to take (folate, iron), and safe exercises before, during, and after pregnancy are presented. The author extensively addresses the question of a mother's weight both in terms of appropriate weight gain and the proper rate at which to lose weight after childbirth. A chapter on nursing concludes the book, discussing the debate between breast feeding and bottle feeding as well as explaining lactation and providing information about the correlation between breast feeding and reduced likelihood of allergies in infants. Readers will appreciate the sidebars with basic pregnancy information and bulleted chapter conclusions that clarify Walker's points. Because the information presented here represents the current thinking of the medical establishment, items like herbal supplements and vegan diet plans are discouraged, and Walker ignores the question of whether organic food is better for pregnant women than nonorganic. For patrons interested in alternative and holistic approaches, Aviva Jill Romm's The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition and Other Holistic Choices is a good bet. Walker's book is recommended for consumers and public libraries.-Elaine M. Bergman, Healthcare Assocs. of New York State, Rensselaer (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.