This is the comprehensive cooking bible to accompany parents from conception, through pregnancy, to nourishing a newborn, weening, and to feeding hungry toddlers along with the whole family. There are many books that catalogue what you can't eat during pregnancy, but there are hardly any that celebrate the wonderful foods you can enjoy, that will not only nourish baby and parents, but also satisfy cravings, ease discomfort and act as a positive moment of support during a time of enormous change.
How to Grow Your Family is your comprehensive companion to nourishing and supportive foods that will nurture your growing family, with over 110 scrumptious, international and healthy recipes created by Leith's trained cook and father of two Adam Shaw. From the first trimester of pregnancy until toddlerhood, each chapter highlights the main foods that are important and comforting during each stage and why, written in partnership with a qualified nutritionist. Quick, budget-conscious and easy recipes show how to use these ingredients in a selection of wholesome brunches, dinners and desserts. As cravings and nutritional requirements change from trimester to trimester, so do the recipes. Each recipe also features an exact breakdown of why each ingredient is good for mum and baby, with vegetarian or vegan alternatives often suggested to cater for everyone.
Rather than resort to takeaways or ready meals, eat well during those first few intense months of parenthood. Learn how to make high-energy meals to support breastfeeding, and master a few simple tricks like batch-cooking and meals that only require one hand so that any difficult parenting moment can be negotiated. Advice is given for weaning, first foods and combining flavours as well as recipes for finger foods and healthy food for baby to eat on the go. Finally, the book concludes with family recipes that can be enjoyed together by everyone, young or old.
Adam's unique approach shows that food is not a thing to worry about, but a salve. Cooking for your significant other when they are either pregnant, exhausted from breastfeeding or just need a break is a great way to stay involved and be supportive as you grow your family together.
