Reading Right Now: Fertility Foods Cookbook

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. Although the sentiments contained herewith are solely my own, I did receive a complimentary copy of the book from the author for this review. This post also contains affiliate links.

Reading Right Now: Fertility Foods Cookbook

Having been a dietitian for just shy of 20 years now, I know there's a lot of bogus info out there about diet and its link to health. Actually had a reader ask me recently about a claim she read online that your eye color dictates what type of diet you should eat...an association that is almost as unbelievable as the blood type diet (which in turn is a bogus diet topic for another day folks :)

As someone who has also struggled with conceiving, I was initially skeptical of the idea that how we eat affects our ability to conceive. Was what I put in my mouth for the first 35 years of life really somehow responsible for the fact that I couldn't get pregnant once I wanted to?

Turns out there is some truth to the notion that certain foods can enhance fertility.

Fertility Foods Cookbook

So no surprise that I was so excited to learn my good friend Liz Shaw, a fellow dietitian and fertility nutrition expert decided to tackle this as a co-author in the new book "Fertility Foods Cookbook: 100+ Recipes to Nourish Your Body". 

Written with another dietitian co-author, this book bangs through the existing research that links certain dietary habits and nutrients with fertility outcomes. The authors have taken some pretty dense research studies and put their findings into relatable terms and actionable items that real women struggling with fertility will find both useful and doable. 

I love the empathetic and compassionate tone of the advice in the book - coming from two real ladies who have walked the walk. They do a great job of covering nutrition with regards to the all-important mind-body connection - one that is overlooked in so many similar resources already out there.

The first part of the book covers the basics about nutrition and fertility, touching on the "main ingredients" and segueing into "other fertility factors". Part 2 is all about the food with over 100 really innovative recipes that incorporate real wholesome foods. 

Shakshuka Recipe 

Here's one of my absolute favorite recipes from the Fertility Foods Cookbook - it's for Shakshuka (eggs in tomato sauce). As Liz says, "This traditional Israeli breakfast dish is the perfect addition to any brunch. Shakshuka is made with canned tomatoes, which are a great source of the powerful antioxidant lycopene - known to be a fertility-fueling food."

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1/2 cup (2 oz.) onion, chopped

• 1 medium (5 oz.) bell pepper, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, no salt added

• 4 large eggs

• Red pepper flakes (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil, onion, and bell peppers. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, or until softened.

2. Add the minced garlic, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and kosher salt. Stir and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the tomatoes. Turn heat to medium, cover, and let cook for 5 minutes.

3. Remove lid and create 4 small holes in the tomato mixture. Crack an egg into each hole, then cover and cook for an additional 6 minutes, until white is firm and yolk is set but still able to be punctured with a fork. (If you prefer a set egg with a firm yolk, cook for 8 minutes). Remove from heat and serve with Herb Roasted Potatoes or toasted bread.

Fertility Foods Takeaway

So if you or someone you know is struggling with infertility and confused by a lot of the misinformation out there - the Fertility Foods Cookbook is a great resource you can give to help set them on a more positive path to practicing food as medicine as it pertains to fertility. 

Check out the Fertility Foods Cookbook. To learn more about co-author Liz Shaw, visit her website Shaw Simple Swaps or BumpstoBaby.com. You can also download Liz's 10 Fertility Foods.

And check out my interview with Liz all about Fertility Foods: Fact or Fiction from our joint facebook live below: