Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Were so fortunate and thankful to work with such talented, committed people: Talia Cohen, Laura Dail, Jennifer Kasius, Jon Anderson, Seta Zink, Craig Herman, Melissa Appleby, Peter Costanzo, Amanda Richmond, Margarete Gockel, Victoria Gilder, Isabelle Bleecker, David Steinberger, the entire sales team, and everyone else at Running Press and Perseus.
For your wisdom, input, and generosity, we cannot thank you enough: Dina Aronson, MS, RD, Dr. Jessica Schneider, Dr. Scott Cohen, Dr. Kimberly Klausner, Dr. Guy Efron, Dr. David Ghozland, Dianne Van Treeck, MS, RD, CDE, Patti Howard, Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Hope Ferdowsian, Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Gary Fraser, Dr. Jennifer Prescott, Eric Prescott, Jerry Friedman, Ilana Sparrow, and Bruce Friedrich.
Special thanks and love to Chlo Jo Berman, James Costa, Karen Coyne, Jackie Poper, Gretchen Ryan, Lauren Silverman, Tracy Silverman, Tim VanOrden, Meri Freedman, Rick Freedman, Tim, Maya, and Lesley Bailey, Anna Werderitsch, L.Ac., John Newton, and Stephane and Jackson Barnouin.
For mothers (especially single mothers), who are the unsung heroes of the world
And for our own mothers, with the deepest love and gratitude.
Foreword
AS AN OB/GYN WITH A FULL OBSTETRICAL PRACTICE, I see many women with concerns about their diet during pregnancy. If you are looking to make small changes in your diet, this is a helpful, educational guide for making healthier choices. If you are looking to make more radical changes but not sure how or where to start, the varied and delicious menu plan can really help you jumpstart the process. Rory and Kim manage to be straightforward, entertaining, and very thought-provoking all at the same time.
Whether you are looking for a few tips or an overhaul in your eating plan, this book is an incredibly useful guide. Pregnancy is a special and unique time, and can be the perfect motivation for doing something to improve your health and how you feel. The best thing you can do for your baby is to take care of yourself, and it is never too late to do something about your own health and well-being.
Jessica Lynn Schneider, MD, FACOG
Obstetrics and Gynecology
AS A PEDIATRICIAN, I CAN HAPPILY SAY THATSkinny Bitch: Bun in the Oven outlines a safe, healthy diet for pregnant women and their babies. Rory and Kims brash language is down-to-earth and makes for an entertaining read. Their anecdotes and thorough research will force you to ask questions and examine your daily life.
In my practice, families commonly ask me about lifestyle choices. In pediatrics, parents are accustomed to hearing many different ways to do the same thing. For example, if you asked twenty people how to introduce solid foods to their infant, or train them to sleep through the night, or how to treat the common cold, you would likely receive twenty different responses. As a result, I teach common sense pediatrics or common sense parenting. We may not always agree on what to do for our children, but we should agree that there is more than one right way. Skinny Bitch: Bun in the Oven presents one of these right waysthe advantages of a vegan lifestyle during pregnancy and beyond.
Scott W. Cohen, MD, FAAP
Pediatrics
Introduction
Congratulations. Youre knocked up. Chances are, youve dreamt of being pregnant since you were a little girl. So take a moment to acknowledge that you are living a dream and be thankful. Okay, thats enough. Youve got work to do. Being a good mother starts now. Unless you were raised by crackheads, you know that your diet is the most important factor in determining your babys health. Indeed, its an awesome responsibility, but dont let it overwhelm you. Its not rocket science. While there are a few specific things pregnant women do need to adhere to, overall, you just need to be healthy. Healthy mommy=healthy baby. So feel doubly blessed because your pregnancy will force you to finally prioritize your own well-being. Get psyched: you are about to embark on the most exciting journey of your lifetimemotherhood and optimal health!
BITCHCLAIMER
We didnt write this book to make friends. We wrote this book to help women eat rightensuring successful pregnancies and healthy babies. So if you want to hear everything in moderation, an occasional glass of wine is fine, or any other candy-coated bullshit, pick another book. We will tell you the truth about food and how what you eat affects your pregnancy and baby.
Go make friends at your Lamaze classes. Were invested in making a difference in your life.
P.S. This isnt What to Expect When Youre Expecting. We dont provide a blow-by-blow of whats happening each month, and we dont give you the lowdown on the best burp cloths. Its a how-to-eat guide, with a few extras here and there.
P.P.S. A healthy pregnancy diet isnt drastically different than a healthy regular diet. So if you read our first book, Skinny Bitch, dont be surprised (or pissed) to find much of the same information here.
P.P.P.S. Were not gynos, so be sure to talk to your doctor about any of our recommendations.
Chapter One
Youre Knocked Up, Now Give It Up
Use your head. If you want a healthy baby, you have to be healthy. Which means you have to give up your gross vices. Not only is smoking N-A-S-T-Y, but it can cause premature birth, attention deficit disorder (ADD) during childhood, asthma, respiratory disease, and low birth weight. All the toxic components from smoking go directly into your babys bloodstream, weakening the immune system. This also constricts the veins and arteries, which decreases the flow of oxygen, blood, and nutrients to your baby. Women who smoke are at least twenty times more likely to miscarry than nonsmokers. Give it up. And steer clear of secondhand smoke, too.
Ditto for drinking. Just two drinks a day can significantly increase your risk of miscarriage.. (Dont be afraid. Itll make you a better mom and a happier person.) If you hit the bottle before you knew you were pregnant, dont beat yourself up. Just make healthy choices from here on out.
And stop injecting coffee into your veins! Caffeine is a diuretic (it makes you pee more), and it drains fluid and calcium from the body, Now, we know nothing incites rage like suggesting someone kick his or her coffee habit. Time and time again, we see how resistant people are to giving it up.
Make no mistake: coffee is a highly addictive drug for many people. And like all drugs, it comes with an ugly slew of side effects. Caffeine (whether found in coffee, tea, or soda) can cause headaches, digestive problems, irritation of the stomach and bladder, peptic ulcers, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. It affects every organ system, from the nervous system to the skin. Caffeine raises stress hormone levels, inhibits important enzyme systems that are responsible for cleaning the body, and sensitizes nerve reception sites. and it becomes really difficult to see the point. Not convinced? Even moderate consumption can affect fetal heart rate and movement patterns. why would you mess with one? ITS JUST NOT WORTH IT. GET OVER YOUR ADDICTION. Itll be a tough week or two, and then youll be free for life.
