Book Review – Food to Grow On
July 16, 2021
In their new book Food to Grow On, Sarah Remmer and Cara Rosenbloom, both registered dietitians (and moms!) tell you everything you need to know about pregnancy and nutrition in early childhood. This witty, easy-to-navigate book turns evidence-based research into practical information to help you and your child(ren) thrive. Covering pregnancy to age 6, this acts as a handbook that you can refer to time and time again, leaving no nutrition question unanswered.
Sarah and Cara begin by describing how to navigate through chapters, which is so helpful for any busy parent or caregiver who may not want to read the whole thing in one go. They clarify that babies and children intuitively know how to eat, and how this book can act as a guide to help parents and caregivers facilitate this in a healthy way. Before giving recommendations for each age group, they provide some general information about foods to choose, explain common “buzzwords” in nutrition, and give an overview of important nutrients. They touch on approaches to feeding, food allergies and intolerances, as well as some food safety tips.
The book breaks down nutrition into sections – or stages – first covering mom (pregnancy and postpartum), and then baby (0-6 months, 6-12 months), toddler (12-24 months, 2-3 years) and child (3-6 years). Nutrients of concern are outlined for each age group, with information and suggestions appropriate for each phase. Fun recipes focus on nutrients discussed on the preceding pages. Each section is wrapped up with a list of its top 10 tips, great for future reference. Finally, some simple charts at the end provide easy-to-access nutrient guidelines, including sources, serving sizes, and amount per serving to meet recommendations.
Sprinkled throughout the book are little breakouts where the two share their own stories as moms, provide some words of support, give a deeper look into the “why” of some information and provide some real truths that may not be obvious for some. They include stories, scenarios, and insights from other real-life moms which gives a feeling of support, as if you are talking with a good friend.
Overall, Food to Grow On is very easy to follow and is a worthwhile addition to any parent or caregiver’s collection. The question-and-answer format makes it easy to navigate and access relevant tips, and evidence-based information is provided throughout, allowing you to take the lead and make your own decisions with regards to feeding your child. If you are a fan of Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in feeding (like us!), then you will be happy to see this concept referenced here. There is something for everyone in this book, whether you are a soon-to-be parent, caregiver, or are just looking for some fresh advice for feeding your kids. Happy reading!