last updated on January 3, 2022
A lot of the articles I write on this site are about what not to eat during pregnancy, so it’s always a pleasure to sit down and put together something that’s about what to eat, cook and enjoy.
You are reading: Best pregnancy diet books
I am often asked for pregnant cookbook recommendations for a healthy diet during pregnancy. You’ve probably noticed that there are a ton of them out there, and I know it’s hard to choose between them.
here is my main list. More importantly, I have only included those written by qualified doctors, nurses, nutritionists or dieticians.
There are a lot of well-intentioned pregnancy recipes floating around the internet, but I think the nutritional science in pregnancy is so important that it’s best to follow the advice of qualified professionals.
In no particular order, here are some of the best pregnancy cookbooks available right now:
the recipe book for natural pregnancy
The Natural Pregnancy Cookbook is by author, Dr. Sonali Ruder (also known as The Foodie Physician), who takes an extra step in this cookbook to detail how and why you should eat certain ingredients, and why they’re ‘good’ for you and baby.
Many people who bought this book commented that it’s straight to the point, no nonsense, tasty food.
There are also several images of the recipes in the book, something that is often left out of cookbooks for pregnant women.
the recipe book for a healthy and happy pregnancy
The Healthy, Happy Pregnancy book is a little different to a normal cookbook because it’s organized by pregnancy symptoms, rather than as a standard meal guide.
some find this helpful, as food largely depends on how you feel during pregnancy.
The book is written by Stephanie Clarke and Willow Jarosh, both registered dietitians. contains over 125 recipes, so there’s plenty to choose from.
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The recipes seem to be a bit more creative than others, incorporating some lesser known ingredients. if you’re a meat and two veg person, this might not appeal to you, but if you’re a foodie, go for it.
has more than 125 recipes, so there are many options for all tastes.
With the focus on real, healthy food, this is another one of those books that will continue to be useful for feeding the family after pregnancy as well.
food for pregnancy: nutritional guide month by month
What I like about Eating for Pregnancy is that it frequently gets revised (they’re on the 3rd edition now), and the science and recipes are constantly updated.
This cookbook is written by a trio of highly skilled women, including rose ann hudson, rdn, and teresa knight, who is an OB/GYN.
Unlike many other cookbooks, its 150 recipes are month by month, so you’ll get the best recipe advice based on your exact stage of pregnancy and nutritional needs.
drinking for two: nutritious mocktails for moms-to-be
‘Drinking For Two’ covers one of the most common issues in pregnancy: what to drink when you can’t have alcohol or much caffeine that is both interesting and good for you.
For this reason, the book is also a perfect gift for pregnant women.
here are a bunch of inspiring drinks that you’ll probably still enjoy, even after the baby is born and especially when you’re breastfeeding.
They’re not just versions of mocktails (although I really like the mock jito!).
The Drink for Two book is written by kerry jane criss, who has a master’s degree in nutritional epidemiology, and diana licalzi maldonado, registered dietitian nutritionist.
Unsurprisingly, it also contains some more general nutritional recommendations for pregnancy, all cited and referenced in full.
the cookbook to feel good during pregnancy
This Feel Good Pregnancy Cookbook is written by Ryann Kipping, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Lactation Educator. She’s very well known on Instagram, but also wrote this stand-alone cookbook for pregnant women.
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is one of the best-reviewed books out there, with over 100 recipes.
unlike many other maternity cookbooks, the “preview” option on amazon also includes a full list of recipes, so you can decide ahead of time if they’re the kind of thing you’ll love ( and your family or partner).
My favorites are soups, which I am happy to eat for over nine months as they are satisfying and healthy for anyone, not just pregnant!
the complete 9 month cookbook
The Whole Nine Months cookbook has over 100 recipes, written by Dr Jennifer Lang, an OB/GYN, and Dr Dana Angelo, who is also a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
There is a lot of information, guidance, and research in this one, rather than just recipes.
If you’d like more scientific background information, you might appreciate it, though others say they’d rather the book was full of recipes!
What many moms-to-be find helpful is the quarter-by-quarter information, and this cookbook is particularly strong on breakfasts, which can be a challenge if you suffer from morning sickness.
real food for pregnancy
Real Food for Pregnancy is by Lily Nichols, who is both a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and a Certified Diabetes Educator.
She has another book on gestational diabetes, which you should definitely read if you were diagnosed during pregnancy.
real food for pregnancy is something I strongly recommend every pregnant woman (and her partner) reads.
is a reference book on the science behind real food and nutrition during pregnancy. It’s not a cookbook, I should point out, but I’m including it here as a reference book on the “whys” behind certain food recommendations.
If you’re doing a lot of cooking at home when you’re pregnant, you might also be interested in these articles:
- how to wash fruits and vegetables so they are safe during pregnancy
- tips on hand hygiene, kitchen hygiene and food preparation
- recommended culinary thermometers for cook food with precision
- some pregnancy-safe sweets to help with cooking and nausea
This article has been reviewed and approved for publication in accordance with our editorial policy.
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