The Mommy Diet

by Alison Sweeney, Christie Matheson

As a working mom who looks hotter than ever after two pregnancies, Alison Sweeney knows what it takes to look and feel great during pregnancy and how to get back in shape post-baby. (Yes, it’s possible!) In The Mommy Diet, she shares tons of straightforward tips, personal anecdotes, easy-to-follow exercises, fashion insight, nutrition advice, and even a few of her favorite quick, easy recipes.

The Mommy Diet helps moms-to-be stay fit, positive, and pampered during pregnancy and then steers new moms to a healthy recovery and body confidence after the baby is born. It’s a warm, accessible, funny guide to everything from prepregnancy through the first nine months postpartum—an especially crucial time for new moms who want to shed their baby weight safely and establish a fitness routine—and beyond.

Sweeney, who is busy taking care of two children and juggling two jobs, breaks pregnancy down trimester by trimester, addressing everything from morning sickness and food cravings to sexy maternity style, all the while reminding readers to keep up with exercise as long as their doctors approve. After the baby arrives, she details the perils and pitfalls of carrying around postpregnancy weight and how to navigate the sleep deprivation, not to mention the shell-shocked stress of all the changes to daily life.

You can eat healthfully, be physically fit, look great, and find time to take care of yourself while you learn to be a terrific new mom. The realistic, affordable, and doable advice in The Mommy Diet will show you how.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Parenting, Self Help

256 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2010

About the author

Alison Ann Sweeney is an American dramatic actress, author, novelist and reality show host. Sweeney is best known for her portrayal of Samantha 'Sami' Brady on NBC's long running 'Days of our Lives.' In this role, she has earned a Daytime Emmy Award. In 2007, she became the host of 'The Biggest Loser.'

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first need to say that I was interested in this book because of Alison being on Biggest Loser. I have never been pregnant so a lot of the advice was not important to me but I will say that I like the structure of this book. If you are thinking about getting pregnant, are pregnant, or had a child she gives great advice for each step.

I like that she even breaks these steps down further by fitness, food, self-care, and romance. She has great playlists at each stage which is probably my favorite part of the book. She also has some wonderful snack ideas. You will benefit mostly if you are thinking of having children or already pregnant but I think it is still a great read for women that are not pregnant too.

[Chrissy]

I can't fairly rate this book, because I didn't read the whole thing. It is geared towards women "before, during and after pregnancy" I just read the "after pregnancy" section, which was the very last several pages. The majority of the book was geared towards before and during pregnancy. This might have been helpful RIGHT after having the baby, because it seems like it has more insight about weight loss while having a tiny little baby. The stuff in the after pregnancy and maintenance chapters are a lot of stuff I already knew, so I don't feel like I learned anything new, just gentle reminders... I really like Alison Sweeney, so I would recommend someone who is pregnant or a new mom to check this book out!

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea who Alison Sweeney was, but she looks skinny on the cover of the book, so I figured she probably had some good advice. In the end, the advice she gave was not especially revelatory--just common sense tips--but her tone was WONDERFUL. I loved how friendly and reassuring she sounded on each page. It made me feel like I was talking to someone who'd been there before...although, if you gained more than the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy, she actually hasn't. I loved this book though. It made me feel comforted and motivated.

[Krystle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the fashion tips, the music tips for exercising and relaxing and the recipe tips for a more healthful approach to eating. I was more annoyed by her constantly referring back to Days and her co-workers. I know that's what she's best known for but enough already. We all know you're Sami Brady! Anywho, I also liked that the book is broken down into trimesters and then the first 9 months of baby's life. I read it through but I will most likely look back and refer to things that are pertinent to whatever stage I'm at.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 3/4 stars. Not a bad read, from one mom to another. I wish I had read a book like this when I was pregnant with my daughter. Allison does a great job of writing the book as if you are her friend and she is talking you through it. Lots of great tips and some yummy recipe ideas! Great for a mom at any stage in her life, just to learn to feel like a human being again and be motivated to keep healthy for herself and her family!

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this only because I absolutely adore Alison Sweeney. I'm not pregnant and won't be anytime soon, so this book wasn't too helpful for me. However, Alison is such a sweet and down-to-earth person, and her tone throughout the book was relatable and encouraging, which made it a nice read.

I liked the workout tips and playlist recommendations, as I think they're relevant for anyone, not just new moms. I want to try out her 45 minute treadmill challenge soon!

[Yolanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read. I did read the author's other book also years ago. The information is easily accessible. There are good health suggestions. I think the, you are worth taking care of yourself, theme of the book is helpful especially after your first baby. Our children our 9,7,4,& 2 so I am always looking for new ideas to keep all of healthy.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's an all right book. I didn't read cover to cover, just skimmed through. It's one of those books that you can just read the chapters that are relevant to you at the time. No new info for me found in them, but it does seem to somewhat motivate me to keep up with a healthy lifestyle while being a mommy.

[Elisabeth Ensor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok- I read 1/2 this! The book is for a women before, during and after pregnancy! I didn't read the during part! But a really great book for what I read- I would love to buy this for every pregnant friend: it touches on the forgotten part about motherhood! Taking care of you, planning treats and special things for yourself in the midst of becoming a new mom!

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like others have said this is "fluff" compared to other diet books, but I do love the Biggest Loser and so really enjoyed reading what Alison had to say! It was also different from other pregnancy books as she went from pre-conception to every month of pregnancy, to months after delivering and gave workout, fashion, diet, and relationship advice for each stage.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really liking this book. I love Alison Sweeney because she seems so down to earth. I actually read her first book many years ago and it was good too. This book would have been fantastic to have when pregnant/with new baby etc... But I am still enjoying it even though my kids are 10 and 6.

[Christa Cordova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read in a very conversational tone - the authors don't go too "deep" into any one area of pregnancy, but they give a great, high-level, balanced view of how moms can get/stay healthy before, during and after pregnancy. Definitely recommend this to first-time moms!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the layout, the sound advice & expert tips, and Alison's wit. I am pregnant with my 5th child and while I could write a book about pregnancy, I simply enjoyed reading about her stories and experiences. The tone was friendly and like talking to a girlfriend.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started in the post pregnancy section & found most of the advice to be common sense to me but I could see it helping someone who doesn't have a lot of healthy habits. Also, it was a good reminder that to be the best mom, making time for ME will be important.

[Amy Simmy-Sims · Rating 3 out of 5]

nothing especially new or Earth shattering, but she does make you feel like you are her closest friend she is giving advice to. I think its nice to hear someone talk about the hard parts of pregnancy, how to cope, and that you can get through it all healthfully. glad I read it.

[Nicole Whitworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be very helpful to read during pregnancy. Regardless, she talks to you like you are her girlfriend, and she made some good points in the "after the baby" section that were inspirational for me. Plus, she's adorable!

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good tips, advice is metered out for the different time periods: pre-pregnancy, first trimester, second, third, and then the months after the baby are sectioned off. I will want to reread this when I get pregnant.

[Kimberly]

quick read, especially since my kids aren't in the range she's targeting the "mommy" for. but it was good, nice reminders and easy read

[Tawni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed this book. Fun read for ideas, but mostly just fluff. But I like Alison so I liked the book ;)

[Katharine · Rating 2 out of 5]

this wasn't what I expected. it is mostly a generic pregnancy/new baby book.

it looks like she recommends way too little food and way too much exercise for a new mom.

[Steph0203 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it was slightly interesting, but most of the advice was pretty obvious. I don't really think this book would have gotten published if she wasn't a celebrity.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just wasn't for me. I liked her food ideas, but overall it didn't provide me with the information I was looking for.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book could have been a lot longer, but I loved her recipes!!

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a diet book, it was ok.

[Shannon]

common sense book...liked the at home workout suggestions and fashion tips.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

great for every stage of mommyhood. ive read it twice because it is helpful during different stages. even gives ideas for eating and exercising which is hard at every stage of mommyhood.

[Lindsay Merrill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5 stars.

This book wasn't bad, it just wasn't anything to write home about. I bookmarked a few recipes that looked useful and a couple of workout moves I wanted to look up again, but that's about all. It kind of felt like a conversation you'd have with a girlfriend that has successfully managed motherhood and their health, but who lives a very different life than you do so all the info isn't super relevant or helpful, and the rest is pretty common sensical. It's not bad, but didn't always feel like it needed to be drawn out for the length it was.