The Postnatal Cookbook - A Book Review
This came in the mail last week 😍
Back in the spring of 2019, I was honoured to receive Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols, which I reviewed here. I was sent another fabulous book, Eating for Pregnancy, in October, which I reviewed here.
When the publishers asked if I’d be willing to review yet another book, I of course said yes.
More knowledge for me and another book to offer clients - what more could I ask for?
So, is it worth your time to invest in the postnatal cookbook by Jaren Soloff, Registered Dietician and IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant)? Here are three reasons why I think you should check out this book:
✔️The recipes look so yummy!
I’ll admit, I love great cookbooks.
Even in this age of access, where we can find recipes instantly, I am still drawn to my gorgeous cookbooks. the postnatal cookbook has over 75 recipes. The recipes are healthy and easy. I will stress this again - they are EASY to make, which is so important during the postpartum period.
The author also kindly includes what she terms #momhacks, at the end of many recipes. Here she offers tips on making your prep, cooking or reusing leftover experience even EASIER. Every parents dream - more daily ease.
As a vegetarian, I admittedly bring cookbooks down a notch (or many notches) if they don’t include many vegetarian options. This cookbook has many meat free and meat alternative options, including a yummy tofu scramble recipe and a barbeque tempeh bowl. I will have to skip over trying a large number of these recipes - or attempt my own vegetarian alternative.
✔️It’s well laid out and contains incredibly useful information.
Jaren Soloff, the author of the postnatal cookbook, is a Registered Dietician and an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). She is writing this book with such a wealth of understanding about the needs of postpartum humans, including those that are lactating. That alone makes this a reputable resource.
Prior to the recipes, there are 26 pages filled with evidence based information on the nutritional needs of postpartum and lactating humans.
✔️It accessible.
I mentioned the ease of the recipes above. The ease of the words and pre-recipe information, in the postnatal cookbook, are also very easy to digest (even with new parent brain!). Importantly, the recipes are also appealing to non-pregnant people. This is helpful to partners and other children, so that everyone gets fed and gets fed well.
The book is also realistic and not shaming, which are points I am firmly behind. Life is not ideal, not two bodies are alike, and the dyad of baby/pregnant person is unique in its own way. The authors take note of this throughout the book, in various reference points. 👏
One important note - this book does use the terms women and woman, she/her/hers and mothers, throughout the book. We are well aware that while many people who give birth identify as mothers and women, using she/her/hers pronouns, many do not. Terms such as birthing or lactating person, they/them/theirs, folks etc. are more representative of the population growing, birthing and raising humans.
We offer a wide range of support services for families, including:
Prenatal and Postpartum yoga and movement
Please get in touch to learn more about any of our support services.