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The Mommy Diet: A Handbook for All Moms (and a Giveaway!)

Alison Sweeney's Mommy Diet The word “diet” leaves a bad taste in my mouth. And not just my mouth—it’s the general FBG philosophy. So I was slightly ambivalent when Alison Sweeney’s The Mommy Diet landed in my mailbox. On one hand, it is right up my new-mom alley. (That sounded wrong…) On the other, I feel like authors and publishers throw the d-word in book titles because it’s one of those buzzwords that will sell books, kind of like the word” fat.” And maybe they’re right. Maybe Awesome New Mommy Health Handbook didn’t have the same ring to it. But awesome new mommy health handbook it is!

Alison Sweeney, of The Biggest Loser and Days of Our Lives fame, has survived two pregnancies, and The Mommy Diet is her candid, funny and straightforward take on how to have your healthiest pregnancy and recovery. Broken up into pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, the nine months postpartum, and kick-start and maintenance sections, she covers fitness, food, fashion, self-care and romance for each stage.

The book is written conversationally, and you’ll finish reading it feeling like you’ve just had a heart-to-heart with a good friend. Having just gone through the whole pregnancy and childbirth experience myself, I can say that she really nails it in this book, giving fabulous tips and tidbits throughout from taking care of yourself during pregnancy to getting a good workout bra postpartum. I loved the easy recipes and snack ideas as well as her ideas for easing back into exercise, but I especially loved the personal anecdotes. A total meltdown over the DVR? I could relate! Sweeney is candid about the fact that you may not be loving your postpartum bod, and she gives you permission to “think bleeped thoughts,” while assuring you not to be too hard on yourself. Plus, she breastfed so she has tips and stories about pumping and weight-loss during breastfeeding, but doesn’t knock formula either. And her detailed Kick Start health program is a great idea if you’ve been a little too easy on yourself for a little too long.

Easy to read and informative, this guide is perfect for the expecting or new mom who doesn’t have a “been there, done that” friend to go to for advice. Want to read The Mommy Diet yourself? Comment below sharing one of your pregnancy or postpartum struggles to win! U.S. residents only, please. Winners will be notified by email. Good luck! —Erin

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