Healthy Eating during Pregnancy (A Harvard Medical School Book) »

W. Allan Walker, M.D., is a professor of pediatrics and the director of the Division of Nutrition at Harvard Medical School. He is a recipient of the prestigious Murray Davidson Award for Excellence in Pediatric Nutrition from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Courtney Humphries is a professional writer specializing in health topics.

Give your unborn baby a head start on a lifetime of good health

What you eat during pregnancy has a strong influence on your baby's health at birth. But did you know that it also can have a lifelong impact on your child's health? The latest scientific research indicates that good nutrition begins in the womb, and healthy eating habits during pregnancy can actually help lower your child's risk of obesity, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and a host of other problems later in life.

Healthy Eating During Pregnancy arms you with the information you need to give your baby the very best—even before birth. One of Harvard Medical School's top experts in pediatrics and nutrition, Dr. W. Alan Walker draws upon the latest research and his more than two decades of clinical experience to explain, in plain English, the science of prenatal nutrition. More important, he gives you:

• Nutritional guidelines from preconception to year one
• Foods to eat and foods to avoid
• A critical look at vitamins and other supplements
• Menus and delicious recipes that make healthy eating easy
• Exercises that help guarantee optimal health for you and baby
• Expert advice on breast-feeding and how to be sure your baby is properly nourished during weaning

W. Allan Walker, M.D., is a professor of pediatrics and the director of the Division of Nutrition at Harvard Medical School. He is a recipient of the prestigious Murray Davidson Award for Excellence in Pediatric Nutrition from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Courtney Humphries is a professional writer specializing in health topics.

Library Journal

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 Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.