I sit down with Lily Nichols, acclaimed registered dietitian and author, about the importance of nutrition at every stage of motherhood. We delve into the key nutrients for fertility, pregnancy, and post-delivery recovery, drawing insights from Lily's work in "Real Food for Pregnancy" and "Real Food for Gestational Diabetes." This episode challenges common myths about pregnancy nutrition. Learn about prenatal and postnatal nutrition's impact on health and future generations, including the significance of organ meats and essential vitamins for developing embryos. We also discuss the high nutritional needs during the postpartum phase, comparing it to the demands on elite athletes, and share stories of dietary transformation and global postpartum care wisdom. This conversation offers an evidence-based guide for expectant and aspiring parents, highlighting nutrition's role in supporting life's early stages. Topics Discussed: 09:17 - Lily Nichols and her history in childhood nutrition, pregnancy and postpartum nutrition, and gestational diabetes 11:13 - Impact of Blood Sugar Level on Baby’s Development 13:16 - Testing for Gestational Diabetes 19:25 - The Importance of Nutrition Before Pregnancy 29:52 - Animal Sourced Proteins and Challenges of a Vegetarian Diet 40:07 - Foods to Avoid While Pregnant 44:20 - Where Your Food Comes From Matters 48:20 - The Science Behind Cravings 50:44 - Essential Nutrients During Pregnancy 55:13 - Postpartum Nutrition 01:02:58 - Eat Plenty of Protein 01:06:04: - Health Non-Negotiables Check Out Lily Nichols: Instagram Facebook Twitter Website Links Mentioned: Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition Real Food for Gestational Diabetes: An Effective Alternative to the Conventional Nutrition Approach Sponsored By: Cured www.curednutrition.com/realfoodology Code REALFOODOLOGY gets you 20% off Natural Cycles https://www.naturalcycles.com/  15% off with code REALFOODOLOGY Paleo Valley https://paleovalley.com/promos/realfoodology for 15% off Armra https://tryarmra.com/realfoodology 15% off first order with code REALFOODOLOGY Organifi www.organifi.com/realfoodology  Code REALFOODOLOGY gets you 20% Off Check Out Courtney: @realfoodology www.realfoodology.com My Immune Supplement by 2x4 Air Dr Air Purifier AquaTru Water Filter EWG Tap Water Database Produced By: Drake Peterson Edited By: Mike Frey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices