Mellisa, Author at Lily Nichols RDN

Don’t Add Salt to Baby Food: The Surprisingly Weak Evidence for Infant Sodium Requirements

When my readers asked me to write about starting solids, I wanted to focus on nutrient dense real food for babies wherein I explain the rationale for starting with minimally processed real food. You can read that in-depth article here. As I started writing, I … continue reading

Starting Solids: Nutrient Dense Real Food for Babies

Are you a mama or parent who’s a fan of real food? Is your baby nearing the age where you’re thinking about starting solids? Are you wondering what the best first foods for baby might be? Do you question the norm of starting solids with … continue reading

First Ever Study on a Paleo Diet in Pregnancy

One of my go-to hobbies when I have a few minutes is to browse the new research on prenatal nutrition. As I’ve said many times before, this field of study is constantly evolving, so in order to bring you the most up-to-date information on eating … continue reading

Real Food Postpartum Recovery Meals: 50+ Recipes & Freezer Tips

When you’re pregnant, especially if it’s your first child, it’s common to focus most of your attention on your self care, nutrition, and birth planning. What doesn’t necessarily get enough attention is planning for postpartum recovery. I was certainly guilty of this with my first … continue reading

Non-stick Pans are Linked to Serious Pregnancy Problems

Non Stick Pans Linked Serious Pregnancy Problems

Are you pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant? If you’re health conscious, there’s a good chance you’ve read up on foods and supplements to optimize your health in pregnancy, but have you thought about exposure to toxins? It turns out that there are numerous toxins … continue reading

Can We Boost the Nutrient Levels in Breast Milk?

Breastfeeding nutrition is a topic I get a lot of questions about, and yet this is a topic that many are afraid to discuss, especially when it comes to how a mother’s nutrient intake/status might affect the nutrient content of her breast milk. But so … continue reading

Intermittent Fasting and Pregnancy: Why it’s a Mismatch

I never intended to write about intermittent fasting and pregnancy. And yet, here I am. In the past few months, I’ve been asked about intermittent fasting and pregnancy more times than I can count and it’s time to address this topic head on. First off, … continue reading

Postpartum Iron Deficiency & Postpartum Anemia: Rethinking Low Iron Requirements

Sometimes I feel like I live on another planet from the people that set the nutrition guidelines for pregnancy and postpartum. The recommendations can be so far off from what seem logical, not only from understanding basic physiology, but also accounting for the dietary practices … continue reading

Low Carb Korean Beef Bowls

I’m a sucker for Asian food, especially Korean BBQ. I grew up in an area with a large Korean population and had a number of Korean friends over the years, so I have plenty of fond memories surrounding this cuisine. It’s been ages since I’ve … continue reading

Embracing Your Body & Mindful Eating in Pregnancy

As I navigate my second pregnancy, I’m receiving a lot of questions and expectations from other people. I get the feeling that people expect me to model a “perfect pregnancy” or a “perfect prenatal diet,” but let me quickly burst this bubble for you. I’m … continue reading