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Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families
An evidence-based, practical resource that explores the many benefits of a plant-based diet and provides parents with the tools they need to feed their families for health and with joy.
Gold Award, 2020 Nautilus Book Awards, Health, Healing, Wellness & Vitality Category
Canada Book Award, Best Books of 2020, Health Category
While nearly all parents agree that a nutritious diet is important for children to thrive, most feel that their children are not eating a healthy diet. This is not surprising, given the demands of busy families and confusing, conflicting research about what diet is really best for health.
Nourish offers the solution parents have been waiting for when it comes to deciding what and how to feed their families. Authors Reshma Shah, MD, a plant-based pediatrician and affiliate clinical instructor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and Brenda Davis, RD, a world-renowned expert and pioneer in plant-based nutrition, will empower parents to become the experts of nourishing their families.
Parents will
Gold Award, 2020 Nautilus Book Awards, Health, Healing, Wellness & Vitality Category
Canada Book Award, Best Books of 2020, Health Category
While nearly all parents agree that a nutritious diet is important for children to thrive, most feel that their children are not eating a healthy diet. This is not surprising, given the demands of busy families and confusing, conflicting research about what diet is really best for health.
Nourish offers the solution parents have been waiting for when it comes to deciding what and how to feed their families. Authors Reshma Shah, MD, a plant-based pediatrician and affiliate clinical instructor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and Brenda Davis, RD, a world-renowned expert and pioneer in plant-based nutrition, will empower parents to become the experts of nourishing their families.
Parents will
448 pages, Paperback
Published November 17, 2020
83 people are currently reading
447 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
August 13, 2020
Let's start with what this is not. NOURISH is not a cookbook. It's more like a text book, chock full of everything anyone could possibly want to know about veganism. My bad for not reading the description better, but I thought from that beautiful cover that it must be primarily veg-friendly recipes with facts about nutrition tossed in to supplement.
While there are recipes (two or three of which I'll actually probably make), they're all condensed into a final chapter. The 300+ pages before that are text, stats and charts about eating only plants. The info is extremely thorough and will be helpful for anyone who is looking to defend the vegan lifestyle choice to others or even themselves. People who are "curious" about the topic will end up with glazed eyes along with their carrots.
My thanks to NetGalley, publisher and authors for the ARC.
While there are recipes (two or three of which I'll actually probably make), they're all condensed into a final chapter. The 300+ pages before that are text, stats and charts about eating only plants. The info is extremely thorough and will be helpful for anyone who is looking to defend the vegan lifestyle choice to others or even themselves. People who are "curious" about the topic will end up with glazed eyes along with their carrots.
My thanks to NetGalley, publisher and authors for the ARC.
September 14, 2020
This in-depth nutritional guide was was written by a doctor and a nurse who are both vegan, and the focus is very much on encouraging people to turn to a vegan diet with tools and information to do it in a healthy way. It covers many reasons to switch to a whole foods, plant-based diet from health reasons to ethical ones and more. It then goes into details about every aspect of nutrition from each vitamin to types of fats and much more. Q&A's after each section cover common questions and case histories are scattered throughout. The very end has basic vegan recipes but there are no photos or nutritional information and this is a short, basic section (overnight oats, teething biscuits, no cheese sauce, tofu fingers, etc.).
There is quite a lot of information on how to do a healthy, whole foods, plant-based diet for children and during pregnancy. Sections also include topics like cooking for family members who don't want to go vegan, teens' eating, the importance of a family table and so on.
If you want to go vegan or be convinced, this will be a great tool. I have been vegan at times in my life and turned around some chronic health conditions many years ago by switching to a vegan diet for a time period. I also wholeheartedly support the vegan lifestyle because of issues about animal cruelty and the effect of conventionally raised livestock on the environment. I cook for a large family that includes vegetarian and omnivore members and I tend towards whole foods, plant based recipes myself. There definitely are many benefits to eating at least mostly whole foods, plant-based diets, at least part time. That said, the information at times felt a little skewed to sell veganism. For instance, I recently found out that I'm consuming far less protein than I need now that I'm past 40. Trusted medical authorities (including some vegan authorities) are warning us that we need far more protein at midlife and after. This book lists women and men as just all lumped together at 18+ for protein needs, other than during pregnancy and lactation, saying that any woman over 18 needs 46 grams of protein. It's actually much higher after middle age, and it can be tricky for vegetarians and especially vegans to meet the additional needs at midlife. Just tell the truth here and give tools, don't minimize what we really need. It was the same with the information about some concerns like EPA and B12. I know they want to sell their side, but it's their responsibility to do it with all the information. For the most part, they do this well but there were a few instances like this that felt a little sketchy.
This is a textbook of a book, not a pleasure read. There aren't photos and there aren't mouthwatering recipes. There is a great bit of very good information for vegans or vegan curious folks though, especially parents.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
There is quite a lot of information on how to do a healthy, whole foods, plant-based diet for children and during pregnancy. Sections also include topics like cooking for family members who don't want to go vegan, teens' eating, the importance of a family table and so on.
If you want to go vegan or be convinced, this will be a great tool. I have been vegan at times in my life and turned around some chronic health conditions many years ago by switching to a vegan diet for a time period. I also wholeheartedly support the vegan lifestyle because of issues about animal cruelty and the effect of conventionally raised livestock on the environment. I cook for a large family that includes vegetarian and omnivore members and I tend towards whole foods, plant based recipes myself. There definitely are many benefits to eating at least mostly whole foods, plant-based diets, at least part time. That said, the information at times felt a little skewed to sell veganism. For instance, I recently found out that I'm consuming far less protein than I need now that I'm past 40. Trusted medical authorities (including some vegan authorities) are warning us that we need far more protein at midlife and after. This book lists women and men as just all lumped together at 18+ for protein needs, other than during pregnancy and lactation, saying that any woman over 18 needs 46 grams of protein. It's actually much higher after middle age, and it can be tricky for vegetarians and especially vegans to meet the additional needs at midlife. Just tell the truth here and give tools, don't minimize what we really need. It was the same with the information about some concerns like EPA and B12. I know they want to sell their side, but it's their responsibility to do it with all the information. For the most part, they do this well but there were a few instances like this that felt a little sketchy.
This is a textbook of a book, not a pleasure read. There aren't photos and there aren't mouthwatering recipes. There is a great bit of very good information for vegans or vegan curious folks though, especially parents.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
June 22, 2022
Nourishis not a cookbook. I
I did not payed attention to the blurb t's more like a text book, it is full of everything anyone could possibly want to know about veganism. My bad for not reading the description better..
A lot of textbook stile dissertation and graph and statisistics
very few recipes
My thanks to NetGalley, publisher and authors for the ARC. (less)
I did not payed attention to the blurb t's more like a text book, it is full of everything anyone could possibly want to know about veganism. My bad for not reading the description better..
A lot of textbook stile dissertation and graph and statisistics
very few recipes
My thanks to NetGalley, publisher and authors for the ARC. (less)
January 14, 2023
Nourish is a very in depth look into plant-based eating. As a lifelong vegetarian I found this book to be very educational. It contains case studies, scientific and medical information regarding vitamins, minerals and overall nutrition. The book also contains recipes along with other valuable information. This is a huge, rather complex book that will be useful for me to refer back to in the future. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy.
November 17, 2020
I found this book to be an excellent resource for families.
My wife and I are plant based and even though our children have grown and moved on to their own adventures, I wanted to read this book out of pure interest. I remember the challenges we faced converting to a plant based diet, and that was after our children had left.
The format of the book is is well thought out and progresses in a logical sequence. Part I provides fact based evidence on the benefits of a plant based diet, not only for the individual, but for the well being of the planet. Part II provides everything you would ever need to know about the nutritional requirements of the body. It also provides expectant mothers the assurance a plant based diet is safe during pregnancy and breast feeding.
I found Part III incredible. It answered every question I could think of about dealing with the needs of growing children on a plant based diet. This included how to handle the transition, how to deal with sleepovers at homes not plant based, conversing with a doctor who is not plant based, and much, much more.
Part IV gives you the practical information you'll need in converting your pantry, shopping for, and cooking delicious plant based meals. This includes a large list of recipes.
I like that there is a reference list at the end of this book. You don't have to take the author's word, you can read the evidence yourself.
To round it all out, the index makes it easy to relocate whatever you're looking for.
I highly recommend this book to any family, it's chock full of information. Reshma Shah, MD, MPH and Brenda Davis, RD are to be commended on a job well done!
My wife and I are plant based and even though our children have grown and moved on to their own adventures, I wanted to read this book out of pure interest. I remember the challenges we faced converting to a plant based diet, and that was after our children had left.
The format of the book is is well thought out and progresses in a logical sequence. Part I provides fact based evidence on the benefits of a plant based diet, not only for the individual, but for the well being of the planet. Part II provides everything you would ever need to know about the nutritional requirements of the body. It also provides expectant mothers the assurance a plant based diet is safe during pregnancy and breast feeding.
I found Part III incredible. It answered every question I could think of about dealing with the needs of growing children on a plant based diet. This included how to handle the transition, how to deal with sleepovers at homes not plant based, conversing with a doctor who is not plant based, and much, much more.
Part IV gives you the practical information you'll need in converting your pantry, shopping for, and cooking delicious plant based meals. This includes a large list of recipes.
I like that there is a reference list at the end of this book. You don't have to take the author's word, you can read the evidence yourself.
To round it all out, the index makes it easy to relocate whatever you're looking for.
I highly recommend this book to any family, it's chock full of information. Reshma Shah, MD, MPH and Brenda Davis, RD are to be commended on a job well done!
November 20, 2020
I honestly don’t know a lot about plant-based eating so this book was an eye opener. It is VERY full of information. This is not a light book. I tried to be a vegetarian when I was a teen but that didn’t last long. I am not ready to eliminate meat completely but this book is helping me consider how important it is to include more whole foods and especially plants in our diet.
I’ve never really thought about how plant-based eating could be helpful for more than just getting more vitamins and less calories. I had never considered the following:
“…currently 821 million people (roughly 1 in 9) suffer from hunger and limited progress is being made in addressing the multiple forms of malnutrition, ranging from child stunting do adult obesity, putting he health of hundreds of millions of people at risk. This is happening at the same time that roughly half the grains worldwide are fed to animals raised for meat, eggs, and dairy. Many experts believe that we could largely solve the problem of world hunger (by diverting resources to feed people instead of livestock) and significantly reduce our use of fossil fuels, land and water by minimizing our consumption of animal-based food and shifting more towards a plant-based diet.”
Nourish pg 38
It never occurred to me that if we ate less animals the food we feed them could be fed to people.
The book also explains basic nutrition and was helpful in clarifying a few things about carbohydrates, protein and such. I also learned there is more protein than I thought in vegetables and starches. It goes over vitamins and minerals. The book could be used as a general nutrition guide too. The healthy eating section doesn’t only tell you WHAT is healthy but also HOW to boost your supply of them.
There is a whole section on pregnancy and lactation, childhood and adolescence and even the principles of feeding which isn’t covered in a lot of books. It covers family meals, weight issues and raising a Veg leaning family. Sample menus are given for all age groups and then you can find RECIPES.
The recipes section includes breakfast, salads, soup, dips/dressings/spreads, mains and snacks/sweets. There are almost 60 pages of recipes so while the book is more about knowledge than recipes, there are a good amount to get started.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I’ve never really thought about how plant-based eating could be helpful for more than just getting more vitamins and less calories. I had never considered the following:
“…currently 821 million people (roughly 1 in 9) suffer from hunger and limited progress is being made in addressing the multiple forms of malnutrition, ranging from child stunting do adult obesity, putting he health of hundreds of millions of people at risk. This is happening at the same time that roughly half the grains worldwide are fed to animals raised for meat, eggs, and dairy. Many experts believe that we could largely solve the problem of world hunger (by diverting resources to feed people instead of livestock) and significantly reduce our use of fossil fuels, land and water by minimizing our consumption of animal-based food and shifting more towards a plant-based diet.”
Nourish pg 38
It never occurred to me that if we ate less animals the food we feed them could be fed to people.
The book also explains basic nutrition and was helpful in clarifying a few things about carbohydrates, protein and such. I also learned there is more protein than I thought in vegetables and starches. It goes over vitamins and minerals. The book could be used as a general nutrition guide too. The healthy eating section doesn’t only tell you WHAT is healthy but also HOW to boost your supply of them.
There is a whole section on pregnancy and lactation, childhood and adolescence and even the principles of feeding which isn’t covered in a lot of books. It covers family meals, weight issues and raising a Veg leaning family. Sample menus are given for all age groups and then you can find RECIPES.
The recipes section includes breakfast, salads, soup, dips/dressings/spreads, mains and snacks/sweets. There are almost 60 pages of recipes so while the book is more about knowledge than recipes, there are a good amount to get started.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
January 12, 2021
3 stars
This book was not what I was expecting it to be. I thought it was more like a cookbook giving me lots of different options to nourish myself. Instead it is a diatribe on how to eat plant based and what that meant.
Are there good ideas in here? Yes. Lots. It’s more reference than book to help me nourish myself. There are recipes but they are few and far between. It was quite a dry read and took me awhile to wade through.
Not my favorite book but okay. Great for your reference section, though.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This book was not what I was expecting it to be. I thought it was more like a cookbook giving me lots of different options to nourish myself. Instead it is a diatribe on how to eat plant based and what that meant.
Are there good ideas in here? Yes. Lots. It’s more reference than book to help me nourish myself. There are recipes but they are few and far between. It was quite a dry read and took me awhile to wade through.
Not my favorite book but okay. Great for your reference section, though.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
Read
November 16, 2020Though my 18-month-old grandson eats lentils, he won't eat beans. Thanks to the Toddler Cookies recipe in Nourish, I finally found a way to sneak them into his diet. He also enjoys the Baby Biscuits...I cut them into small rectangles for his little fingers.
The information in this book is very helpful and my daughter and I have been tweaking her son's diet to include some of the suggestions in Nourish, such as using fortified infant oatmeal, to give him a well-rounded-plant-based diet. This book is a great resource for anyone raising children or taking care of family members.
The information in this book is very helpful and my daughter and I have been tweaking her son's diet to include some of the suggestions in Nourish, such as using fortified infant oatmeal, to give him a well-rounded-plant-based diet. This book is a great resource for anyone raising children or taking care of family members.
December 2, 2020
Eating healthy food is my priority. I started to consume organic food, whole food, that sort of thing. I began to read books about nutrition, how to make our body and mind happy. That is not difficult to achieve once you know what's good and what's not.
This book is informative and what makes it special is giving advice to parents. So if you have kids and want to educate yourself about what food you should give to kids that is good for their growth and also to the environment. This is the book for you!
This book is informative and what makes it special is giving advice to parents. So if you have kids and want to educate yourself about what food you should give to kids that is good for their growth and also to the environment. This is the book for you!
January 1, 2021
A good book to finish on New Years Day... This will be my theme for the year! Eat more vegetables, more greens, more fruit, more beans and more whole grains. A great book to refer back to often.
November 16, 2020
As a nutritionist, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. There is still so much misinformation and fear-mongering around vegan diets for infants and children and this book dispels so many misconceptions. Written by a paediatrician and registered dietician, this is an evidence-based look at plant-based eating that is also practical and compassionate in its approach.
Nourish is packed with information covering every aspect of nutrition for families. Not only from pregnancy to weaning but also adolescence. There are tips on meal planning, the role of ‘processed foods’ (are meat replacements healthy?) and how to eat plant-based on a budget.
The authors share their own experiences working with families and open up the conversation around food choices and ethics including eating for planetary health. This has never been more important than right now, during a global pandemic.
While they are a smaller part of the book, the recipes are truly delicious. I devoured the curried red lentil soup and loved the spin on a vegan "chuna mayo" - made healthier with spices such as turmeric, extra veggies and hummus, a more nutritious alternative to mayo. There is everything from pasta to soup as well as delicious wholesome cookie recipes - I loved the addition of iron-rich blackstrap molasses.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
Nourish is packed with information covering every aspect of nutrition for families. Not only from pregnancy to weaning but also adolescence. There are tips on meal planning, the role of ‘processed foods’ (are meat replacements healthy?) and how to eat plant-based on a budget.
The authors share their own experiences working with families and open up the conversation around food choices and ethics including eating for planetary health. This has never been more important than right now, during a global pandemic.
While they are a smaller part of the book, the recipes are truly delicious. I devoured the curried red lentil soup and loved the spin on a vegan "chuna mayo" - made healthier with spices such as turmeric, extra veggies and hummus, a more nutritious alternative to mayo. There is everything from pasta to soup as well as delicious wholesome cookie recipes - I loved the addition of iron-rich blackstrap molasses.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
November 17, 2020
I recommend this book. Let me quote the first sentence from one of the chapters: “Confidence is about supporting parents in a way that positions them to be the experts of their family’s nutrition.” How great is that? I find the book to be like a helpful hand, or a hand of camaraderie, extended to help you up any hill, and through any difficult patches, that you may encounter as you are doing your best for your family and the planet.
It is a handbook for families who want to move towards eating more (or eat only) plant foods. The overall tone is kind, understanding, and knowledgeable. It addresses every aspect that I can think of in raising a healthy, plant strong, family. From why you would want to, to nutrition, to feeding and eating, to preparing meals. From pregnancy through adulthood. After reading it, you will probably be referring to it as the years go by when you have a question about how to address any eating issues, nutritional needs for your child’s age, or even about specific nutrients.
The book has several recipes included of which I have tried a handful. I have liked them, and, happily, so has my husband. Finally, I appreciate the evidence-based approach and the extensive reference section as well. A very valuable book!
It is a handbook for families who want to move towards eating more (or eat only) plant foods. The overall tone is kind, understanding, and knowledgeable. It addresses every aspect that I can think of in raising a healthy, plant strong, family. From why you would want to, to nutrition, to feeding and eating, to preparing meals. From pregnancy through adulthood. After reading it, you will probably be referring to it as the years go by when you have a question about how to address any eating issues, nutritional needs for your child’s age, or even about specific nutrients.
The book has several recipes included of which I have tried a handful. I have liked them, and, happily, so has my husband. Finally, I appreciate the evidence-based approach and the extensive reference section as well. A very valuable book!
November 18, 2020
This book is a rich, fun and yummy journey that will first teach you the science, then equip you with the practical tools to enrich your spirit, nourish your mind and win over the most veg-skeptic family member, for life. Get ready to taste the rainbow, with ease and speed, in a versatile and fun way!
Nourish includes personal stories to help emphasize key points of the book. There are also top tips, pointers, tables and summaries that provide a quick reference.
For those who really want to “geek out” on nutritional science for all life stages, the authors have made this book incredibly comprehensive while keeping the information accessible. However you don’t need to be intimidated! Just think of it as a useful reference book that you can come back to as often as you like – to dig deeper into what is most useful and interesting to you.
As a kickstart for incorporating more plant-based meals into your family routine, you can jump into Chapter 6 – “What Makes a Healthy Diet”, Chapter 10 – “Family Meals”, and the final section of the book. Part IV “Connection” includes incredibly helpful details on shopping, planning, and preparing food, as well as meal plans and recipes that our old friend used to say: “Make your eyes light up and your tummy say ‘Howdy!’”
November 17, 2020
Absolutely perfect for raising children on a plantbased lifestyle!
Nourish is a comprehensive nutrition guide that is perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about whole food plant based eating. It is helpful for all stages of life from pre-pregnancy, to pregnancy to raising children and teens. It gets into the nitty-gritty science and gives helpful tips on meeting nutritional needs for the whole family. I absolutely love this book and recommend it to anyone planning on starting a family or already raising children. My daughter was the first one to go vegan at the age of 10, and Brenda Davis was the one I found who guided me through nutrition in her other books. I was concerned about her getting the nutrition she needed for all of her activities and athletics. This is a wonderful addition to my library, but I wish I had had it years ago. It is a wonderful book with delicious recipes that can be served every day and even to guests.
Nourish is a comprehensive nutrition guide that is perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about whole food plant based eating. It is helpful for all stages of life from pre-pregnancy, to pregnancy to raising children and teens. It gets into the nitty-gritty science and gives helpful tips on meeting nutritional needs for the whole family. I absolutely love this book and recommend it to anyone planning on starting a family or already raising children. My daughter was the first one to go vegan at the age of 10, and Brenda Davis was the one I found who guided me through nutrition in her other books. I was concerned about her getting the nutrition she needed for all of her activities and athletics. This is a wonderful addition to my library, but I wish I had had it years ago. It is a wonderful book with delicious recipes that can be served every day and even to guests.
November 18, 2020
Nourish is not going to be a quick read. It is for those who are genuinely interested in the science of plant based eating, the how’s and why’s behind it. If you are someone who really likes to understand something rather than gloss over or just follow recipes, this book is for you. I’m one of those people. I’ve been eating (mostly) plant based for over 14 years now. Admittedly, I’ve occasionally had a slip now and then, but I get right back on track. Even after 14 years, I learned some good information from this book. I’ve been able to try some recipes from it —a lot are pretty simple, no brainer kind, but you still learn about the science of the nutrients. Others are more advanced and involved. It has great helpful tips for each recipe, as well as clever ways to introduce more fruits and veggies into every meal for your family. It is a great resource tool to add to your collection. I highly recommend it.
November 18, 2020
I am so excited about this latest book by Brenda Davis and Reshma Shah. I read and loved Becoming Vegan so I had to get this next book. The amount of information I gained was invaluable. It can be overwhelming to understand how to create a totally balanced vegan diet. I particularly struggled with getting enough calories and figuring out how to make it appealing to my meat loving husband and children. I am happy to say that with the abundant amount of information, recipes, and personal consultation with Brenda Davis, we have integrated several vegan meals a week into our family routine. I have also been able to add the necessary calories and nutrients to maintain a healthy weight and add delicious variety to my vegan diet. If you have any desire to try a healthier and more ethical plant based diet this is absolutely the place to start!
arcs-netgalley
October 25, 2020Publication Date: November, 2020
"I'm voluntarily reading an ARC of this book which has been provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review."
November 17, 2020
This is an amazing resource for all of us who want to feed our families in the most healthful way possible. This book cuts through all the misinformation and presents real facts and how to advice. The delicious recipes are family friendly, I will be wearing this book out.
May 7, 2021
This is not a cook book like I thought it was. It is a very in depth word heavy book. I browsed through the entire thing but it reads more like a text book versus a guide to learn information.
February 23, 2022
A great nutritional guide on how to successfully eat a plant based diet.
The focus is on the science behind the success of plant based eating and how it affects our bodies, at different ages.
There are a few recipes towards the end of the book but this is really a guide on the strengths of this way of eating and how to ensure you nourish your body successfully.
Thank you to #HealthCommunicationsInc and #NetGalley for this insightful read. All opinions expressed are my own.
The focus is on the science behind the success of plant based eating and how it affects our bodies, at different ages.
There are a few recipes towards the end of the book but this is really a guide on the strengths of this way of eating and how to ensure you nourish your body successfully.
Thank you to #HealthCommunicationsInc and #NetGalley for this insightful read. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 24, 2021
'Nourish' really is a comprehensive overview of a plant based diet. It covers all the bases and goes into great detail about your nutritional needs (as a baby, young child, teenager, adult and expectant mother), how much you should be eating and how to combine food to get the best benefits. There are some recipes included in the book but it's really more about what foods are best to include in your diet and how to get the most nutrients. When it comes to a healthy plant-based diet, knowledge is half the battle and this book provides that. I have read a lot about vegan and dairy-free diets over the years but there is always something more to learn and I did just that with this book.
E-arc provided by NetGalley/HCI Books in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts on this book are uninfluenced and entirely my own.
E-arc provided by NetGalley/HCI Books in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts on this book are uninfluenced and entirely my own.
October 27, 2021
This is the guide for anyone who is considering switching to a plant-based diet. It provides nutrition recommendations for the vitamins and minerals people should be getting daily, by age, as well as meal ideas, recipes, and shopping lists to stock up on all the ingredients you need to maintain a plant-based lifestyle. There is a heavy focus on the nutrition of infants and children, which seems to be a concern for so many when it comes to vegan or vegetarian diets. There is a section that goes into some detail about animal farming and slaughterhouses that might be a lot for someone who is sensitive to that particular subject, so read with care. *Advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
January 25, 2021
This book is chocked full of great recipes - new recipes. The author goes on to explain that a plant-based diet can provide a higher overall nutritional quality and help reduce the risks of chronic diseases like heart disease, type-two diabetes, certain cancers, and even neurocognitive diseases like Alzheimer's. The author provides us with delicious resources! Whether your kid is a picky eater or not, you can decide what your family and your children will like best. Did you know the average family spends 17 minutes at the dinner table? Let's make those seventeen minutes count!
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/drr...
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/drr...
November 18, 2020
This is an excellent book, containing an enormous and thorough education about nutrition, as well as compassionate explanations of important and well- researched reasons to be plant-based in one’s eating. Although it is certainly valuable for beginning and even not- yet plant - based persons, as a vegan for over 40 years, i learned a great deal from it, too. Down to earth examples of why and how to eat nutritionally and safely, are explained in understandable rather than too-technical ways, and yet there is much science and evidence- based discussion in the massive amount of topics , too, so that personalizing the food chosen, for ages from birth through adult needs, is available as written by these gifted and experienced professionals.
Why four stars? I don't think the book is presented as mostly about nutrition and eating information for CHILDREN, and it needs to be. That makes the book an amazing source of information for parents and families, and i already have some people in mind to gift this wonderful book to; it contains just about everything a parent could want to know regarding their child’s eating, divided into age groups , with specific information that is hard to come by and is lovingly written. However , i think that potential readers and buyers of this book should know ahead of time that this information comprises probably about 70% of this book. Another thing that may not be apparent - it wasn't to me before reading this - is that there is only a SMALL section of recipes in the book. They are enticing ones and i imagine excellent ones, knowing the other writings of these authors. I plan to make a lot of them. But something else i wish was included, in the main Nutrition text as well as with the recipes, was attention to (the seriousness of) food allergies and suggestions of alternative yet equally healthy and tasty ingredients for children and adults who have allergies and food intolerances. This is a major issue for many people (like me), and i didn't see many references to this at all. With such deep and thorough information all the way through the book on nutrients, in wonderful detail, i wish that there was at least a notation of other resources to seek in this important area. Also regarding the recipes, to look at the GORGEOUS book cover, showing all of these beautiful and yummy vegetables, i would think that I'm not the only one who expected a good amount of recipes in this book along with the Nutrition exceptionally taught in it. Just be aware.
But those aren't really criticisms nor complaints, because this book is a magnificent gem... they are just points that i think could/should have been made more clear, before a person buys or otherwise decides to read a 450- page book. Other reasons I did love this book, are that it has tremendous resource and further- reading sections. The book really is a treasure of knowledge, with a lot of humanity and respectful love of animals shown and related in non-preachy ways, yet in ways which do not back down from stating the crucial realities of honoring and taking care of all living beings, as well as of our planet.
The joys and documented benefits of families sharing meals, from the gathering/buying of the food to the preparation of and serving it, to the actual eating together, is a favorite section of mine. The authors are very realistic about how and why this can be hard to do, and the need to be flexible — every day at 6 pm , all sitting down for dinner with no exceptions, is ideally great, and a great goal, but there is work and kids’ activities, and unexpected circumstances...I love that the authors talked of how special even a late- evening snack shared with the blessing of being Together, can be just as valuable as the lovely 6 pm dinner commitment which is what was planned.
So yes, buy this book or get it from the Library (if yours are open now😷), or give it to new parents or seasoned parents or to yourself, for a book which you will read again and again. You will learn and learn and learn. It shall be a Nutrition classic, i believe. Enjoy it. 💗💗💗
Why four stars? I don't think the book is presented as mostly about nutrition and eating information for CHILDREN, and it needs to be. That makes the book an amazing source of information for parents and families, and i already have some people in mind to gift this wonderful book to; it contains just about everything a parent could want to know regarding their child’s eating, divided into age groups , with specific information that is hard to come by and is lovingly written. However , i think that potential readers and buyers of this book should know ahead of time that this information comprises probably about 70% of this book. Another thing that may not be apparent - it wasn't to me before reading this - is that there is only a SMALL section of recipes in the book. They are enticing ones and i imagine excellent ones, knowing the other writings of these authors. I plan to make a lot of them. But something else i wish was included, in the main Nutrition text as well as with the recipes, was attention to (the seriousness of) food allergies and suggestions of alternative yet equally healthy and tasty ingredients for children and adults who have allergies and food intolerances. This is a major issue for many people (like me), and i didn't see many references to this at all. With such deep and thorough information all the way through the book on nutrients, in wonderful detail, i wish that there was at least a notation of other resources to seek in this important area. Also regarding the recipes, to look at the GORGEOUS book cover, showing all of these beautiful and yummy vegetables, i would think that I'm not the only one who expected a good amount of recipes in this book along with the Nutrition exceptionally taught in it. Just be aware.
But those aren't really criticisms nor complaints, because this book is a magnificent gem... they are just points that i think could/should have been made more clear, before a person buys or otherwise decides to read a 450- page book. Other reasons I did love this book, are that it has tremendous resource and further- reading sections. The book really is a treasure of knowledge, with a lot of humanity and respectful love of animals shown and related in non-preachy ways, yet in ways which do not back down from stating the crucial realities of honoring and taking care of all living beings, as well as of our planet.
The joys and documented benefits of families sharing meals, from the gathering/buying of the food to the preparation of and serving it, to the actual eating together, is a favorite section of mine. The authors are very realistic about how and why this can be hard to do, and the need to be flexible — every day at 6 pm , all sitting down for dinner with no exceptions, is ideally great, and a great goal, but there is work and kids’ activities, and unexpected circumstances...I love that the authors talked of how special even a late- evening snack shared with the blessing of being Together, can be just as valuable as the lovely 6 pm dinner commitment which is what was planned.
So yes, buy this book or get it from the Library (if yours are open now😷), or give it to new parents or seasoned parents or to yourself, for a book which you will read again and again. You will learn and learn and learn. It shall be a Nutrition classic, i believe. Enjoy it. 💗💗💗
November 27, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
CW/TW: Food, Eating Disorders, Dieting, Weight Loss
Like other reviewers, I got this book thinking it was a cookbook and was quite surprised. This book is more like a textbook that makes the case for moving to plant-based diet, and provides specific evidence and examples for how to do this with children.
I'll start with what I think others will not enjoy. This book is very dense. It is written by an MD and reads like a scientific journal. I have a background in health science, so I appreciated this. I can definitely see why others would not and would prefer to simply talk with a dietician about the specifics.
Now for the good parts! I love that the author does not advocate for people to be 100% plant-based or vegan! Instead she advocates for making simple changes that work with your lifestyle. She points out that if everyone had 2 plant-based meals a week instead of just a fraction of the population being vegan, the impact would be far greater. Next, I love the holistic approach as to why being plant-based is a good idea. She highlights the positive impact on health, the ethics around positive impact on the environment and animals, an increase in joy and connection. This book has a ton of information and you will leave feeling confident about increasing plant-based meals. It debunks many of the myths around plant-based diets while highlighting specific nutrients that are difficult to get and providing ideas for how to remedy this. I really loved how the author encouraged parents to help their children develop a positive relationship with reading. Specifically, the reminder to not use food as a punishment or a reward was revelational for me.
One criticism I do want to highlight is the focus on weight and BMI in this book. You really see how fatphobia is deeply ingrained into Western medicine. While 99% of this book is well-researched, I was shocked at how the author accepted BMI as a measure of health. She pointed out BMI is often inaccurate, but simply said the alternatives are too expensive and too much effort 🙄 Not only is BMI inaccurate, it is also based off the average body type off a single race of people: white people. This means BMI is also not equitable and will be even more inaccurate as a measure of health for people of color. I wish the chapter on weight would have been left out of the book.
CW/TW: Food, Eating Disorders, Dieting, Weight Loss
Like other reviewers, I got this book thinking it was a cookbook and was quite surprised. This book is more like a textbook that makes the case for moving to plant-based diet, and provides specific evidence and examples for how to do this with children.
I'll start with what I think others will not enjoy. This book is very dense. It is written by an MD and reads like a scientific journal. I have a background in health science, so I appreciated this. I can definitely see why others would not and would prefer to simply talk with a dietician about the specifics.
Now for the good parts! I love that the author does not advocate for people to be 100% plant-based or vegan! Instead she advocates for making simple changes that work with your lifestyle. She points out that if everyone had 2 plant-based meals a week instead of just a fraction of the population being vegan, the impact would be far greater. Next, I love the holistic approach as to why being plant-based is a good idea. She highlights the positive impact on health, the ethics around positive impact on the environment and animals, an increase in joy and connection. This book has a ton of information and you will leave feeling confident about increasing plant-based meals. It debunks many of the myths around plant-based diets while highlighting specific nutrients that are difficult to get and providing ideas for how to remedy this. I really loved how the author encouraged parents to help their children develop a positive relationship with reading. Specifically, the reminder to not use food as a punishment or a reward was revelational for me.
One criticism I do want to highlight is the focus on weight and BMI in this book. You really see how fatphobia is deeply ingrained into Western medicine. While 99% of this book is well-researched, I was shocked at how the author accepted BMI as a measure of health. She pointed out BMI is often inaccurate, but simply said the alternatives are too expensive and too much effort 🙄 Not only is BMI inaccurate, it is also based off the average body type off a single race of people: white people. This means BMI is also not equitable and will be even more inaccurate as a measure of health for people of color. I wish the chapter on weight would have been left out of the book.
March 7, 2022
I really wanted to love this book. I really did. Although, it is very informative, I found the authors' passionate undertone for choosing a vegan lifestyle quite aggressive. This distracted me from the actual writing and initially made me want to stop reading this book. But I kept on. Keep in mind that I was vegan for a few years, vegetarian for at least 10 years, and I have a keen interest in nutrition. I am also used to reviewing clinical studies. Sadly, this book was not for me.
However, if you are vegan or already on the brink of adopting a vegan lifestyle and have concerns about potential nutrient deficiencies, then this book is for you. It is chock-full of studies and valuable information that can help you feel at ease being or becoming vegan. For those of you considering raising your children vegan, this book is also for you. The authors did an excellent job presenting studies to assuage any concerns you may have and dispelling any myths about potential health deficiencies children are purported to experience by adopting this lifestyle. Bear in mind that this book seems to be written for a more clinically minded audience and can be quite dense; so it'll take you a bit of time to get through. The authors do an excellent job teaching the reader the basics of nutrition and even include sample recipe/ meal planning ideas for different age groups that are well balanced in terms of nutrition.
This book is not for someone who is just looking for plant based recipes, plant based recipe ideas, and/or for another cookbook to add to their kitchen library. Nor is it for someone looking for new or innovative plant based recipes. I would not suggest this book for anyone who has little to no interest in learning about nutrition and/or no interest in moving towards implementing a vegan lifestyle or even close to a vegan lifestyle. Although the authors do encourage people to adopt more plant based lifestyles, I felt the entire undertone of the book was to encourage vegan lifestyles. That being said, this can be a great educational resource for anyone advocating a vegan lifestyle.
I would like to thank NetGalley for the free copy of the electronic version of this book for my honest review. I am incredibly grateful to NetGalley for this opportunity.
However, if you are vegan or already on the brink of adopting a vegan lifestyle and have concerns about potential nutrient deficiencies, then this book is for you. It is chock-full of studies and valuable information that can help you feel at ease being or becoming vegan. For those of you considering raising your children vegan, this book is also for you. The authors did an excellent job presenting studies to assuage any concerns you may have and dispelling any myths about potential health deficiencies children are purported to experience by adopting this lifestyle. Bear in mind that this book seems to be written for a more clinically minded audience and can be quite dense; so it'll take you a bit of time to get through. The authors do an excellent job teaching the reader the basics of nutrition and even include sample recipe/ meal planning ideas for different age groups that are well balanced in terms of nutrition.
This book is not for someone who is just looking for plant based recipes, plant based recipe ideas, and/or for another cookbook to add to their kitchen library. Nor is it for someone looking for new or innovative plant based recipes. I would not suggest this book for anyone who has little to no interest in learning about nutrition and/or no interest in moving towards implementing a vegan lifestyle or even close to a vegan lifestyle. Although the authors do encourage people to adopt more plant based lifestyles, I felt the entire undertone of the book was to encourage vegan lifestyles. That being said, this can be a great educational resource for anyone advocating a vegan lifestyle.
I would like to thank NetGalley for the free copy of the electronic version of this book for my honest review. I am incredibly grateful to NetGalley for this opportunity.
April 23, 2021
This guide to plant-based family nutrition focuses on not only what to feed children, but how: the authors anticipate all concerns parents might have about making a move to a healthier diet, away from too much animal protein and processed foods. Science is the backbone of their argument for more healthful eating, but the spiritual component concerning animal suffering and the environmental impact of livestock production is emphasized as well. Dr. Reshma Shah, a pediatrician with culinary and nutrition certifications, and Brenda Davis, “the Godmother of Vegan Dietitians,” are both heavyweights in the wellness movement and experts both on plant-based eating and designing meals, especially the all-important family dinner, that will encourage children to make good food choices for a lifetime. This is a very reassuring, thoughtful book; the authors, both parents, know the pitfalls of shifting the diet, especially for children and teenagers constantly exposed to those unfortunate parts of the standard American diet (SAD), namely sugar and processed foods.. But they show you the way to succeed in clear and practical terms. The graphs are easy to read and add much to the value of the book for both the committed reader and those with a more hesitant approach to the new way of eating. This is a virtual encyclopedia of plant-based nutrition. Simple strategies to add more fruits and vegetables in appealing ways are included for every meal, taking the guesswork out of this perennial parents’ dilemma. Finally, there is a generous selection of meal plans and easily mastered recipes to take you through the week. A solid contribution to the nutrition field and a very worthy guide for parents who want to truly nourish their families and to be environmentally responsible. Highly recommended. I received a pre-publication digital copy from NetGalley.
October 29, 2020
Nourish is a very informative book for families who are considering taking the step to becoming vegan. My 5 year old has started questioning meat eating and my 2 year old has never been a fan, meal times are struggles to get her to eat any meat product… so I believe I was the perfect target for this. All the problems we wonder about are tackled in there with complete tables giving a lot of nutritional information in a palatable form. Including valuable data about little ones and the exact foods to give for filling iron or calcium or whatever necessary need.
I was less of a fan of the stories in front of each informative section, like how this and this family discovered benefits they didn’t know about plant based diet, or how surprised a doctor was to see no calcium problems in someone not consuming dairy… it felt manipulative, but that might be because I worked in marketing and recognised the emotional heart string tools of the trade. I know it is only meant to illustrate the point, but I could have done without.
A few chapters were redundant, for example, I did not see the point to explaining why family meals are important. I think people reading that type of book already believe that it is.
The recipe section of the book is rather small but interesting, and my greatest complaint about it is the lack of pictures. I love cooking, but pictures talk to me a lot more than the list of ingredients. I was particularly sad about it as a few times the author points out it is important for dishes to look nice, this helps stop the craving for, well, meat products, but without any example it’s harder to picture and know what to do. I really think this book deserves photos and would be greatly improved by them, without I am less inspired to try it out.
I was less of a fan of the stories in front of each informative section, like how this and this family discovered benefits they didn’t know about plant based diet, or how surprised a doctor was to see no calcium problems in someone not consuming dairy… it felt manipulative, but that might be because I worked in marketing and recognised the emotional heart string tools of the trade. I know it is only meant to illustrate the point, but I could have done without.
A few chapters were redundant, for example, I did not see the point to explaining why family meals are important. I think people reading that type of book already believe that it is.
The recipe section of the book is rather small but interesting, and my greatest complaint about it is the lack of pictures. I love cooking, but pictures talk to me a lot more than the list of ingredients. I was particularly sad about it as a few times the author points out it is important for dishes to look nice, this helps stop the craving for, well, meat products, but without any example it’s harder to picture and know what to do. I really think this book deserves photos and would be greatly improved by them, without I am less inspired to try it out.
December 23, 2020
If you're interested in the benefits of switching to a whole foods, plant based diet this is the book for you. As someone who has tried a myriad of diets and healthy living techniques over the years I can say that information is key and Nourish provides so much information!
I've been vegetarian, vegan, plant based, fish only and through much research and experimentation I've found that a plant based diet plus some healthy meat protein works the best for me. Books like Nourish help me to not only maintain the plant based portion of my diet, but also refresh and re-ignite my passion for healthy eating and cooking. There are loads of delicious recipes in here!
I appreciate that the book is organized by Consideration, Care, Confidence and Connection. I think you truly need all of those pieces to create a balanced, healthy life and I like Nourish addresses each piece.
Fav Quote:
"Perhaps the most extraordinary feature of a plant-based approach to feeding our families is the realization that they are all connected - our health, the health of our planet, and compassion for all living beings."
This book does fully lean into switching to a vegetarian diet (and all the details and ethical pieces that go into that) but that doesn't mean you have to. I like to take pieces of different health plans and create what works for me.
Great book, I would highly recommend for healthy lifestyle lovers, parents, vegetarians, health professionals and meat eaters. Even if you aren't fully plant based, the information here is still very relevant and informative!
I've been vegetarian, vegan, plant based, fish only and through much research and experimentation I've found that a plant based diet plus some healthy meat protein works the best for me. Books like Nourish help me to not only maintain the plant based portion of my diet, but also refresh and re-ignite my passion for healthy eating and cooking. There are loads of delicious recipes in here!
I appreciate that the book is organized by Consideration, Care, Confidence and Connection. I think you truly need all of those pieces to create a balanced, healthy life and I like Nourish addresses each piece.
Fav Quote:
"Perhaps the most extraordinary feature of a plant-based approach to feeding our families is the realization that they are all connected - our health, the health of our planet, and compassion for all living beings."
This book does fully lean into switching to a vegetarian diet (and all the details and ethical pieces that go into that) but that doesn't mean you have to. I like to take pieces of different health plans and create what works for me.
Great book, I would highly recommend for healthy lifestyle lovers, parents, vegetarians, health professionals and meat eaters. Even if you aren't fully plant based, the information here is still very relevant and informative!
September 11, 2020
The cover is GORGEOUS. Who wouldn’t want to start a plant-based “diet” from just looking at the cover?
The book is very informative and evidence-based. Unfortunately, we know that evidence alone is not enough for people to completely upend their lives. Reading the book, I felt sort of like a smoker reading about how smoking is bad for you. We know. And we also know that a plant-based family is more healthy.
The section on advice for parents when talking about weight and nutrition with kids was fantastic. The charts throughout the book were helpful.
I haven’t tried any of the recipes yet, but very few of them seemed appetizing. What this book needs is a way to entice readers to follow the nutritional guidelines suggested in the book. Make the recipes and include full-color photos.
The book suggested many times that families could transition into being more plant-based, but didn’t really give a framework for transitioning. And the transitioning part is probably the thing my family and I need the most.
Perhaps the recipes could include transitional suggestions. I’m not ready to go straight to tofu and chickpeas just yet. No matter how good the science is.
If you have a family that you’re trying to provide healthy meals for and family members are calling you crazy, this book will give you a lot of ammunition to fight back against the naysayers. But if you’re not used to eating a plant-based diet yet, this book might not move you over the line.
The book is very informative and evidence-based. Unfortunately, we know that evidence alone is not enough for people to completely upend their lives. Reading the book, I felt sort of like a smoker reading about how smoking is bad for you. We know. And we also know that a plant-based family is more healthy.
The section on advice for parents when talking about weight and nutrition with kids was fantastic. The charts throughout the book were helpful.
I haven’t tried any of the recipes yet, but very few of them seemed appetizing. What this book needs is a way to entice readers to follow the nutritional guidelines suggested in the book. Make the recipes and include full-color photos.
The book suggested many times that families could transition into being more plant-based, but didn’t really give a framework for transitioning. And the transitioning part is probably the thing my family and I need the most.
Perhaps the recipes could include transitional suggestions. I’m not ready to go straight to tofu and chickpeas just yet. No matter how good the science is.
If you have a family that you’re trying to provide healthy meals for and family members are calling you crazy, this book will give you a lot of ammunition to fight back against the naysayers. But if you’re not used to eating a plant-based diet yet, this book might not move you over the line.
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