
 MIND, BODY, & SOIL
Nutrient Dense Whole Foods for Pre-Conception, Pregnancy, and Beyond with Lily Nichols, RDN

Lily Nichols, RDN is shifting the paradigm on what it means to eat for your health in your child-bearing years. Author of Real Food for Pregnancy and Real Food for Gestational Diabetes, Lily is leading a grassroots movement on getting back to eating nutrient dense foods and is at the cutting edge of the research on just how important they are for the health of mother, infant, and future generations. In this episode, we cover the journey from pre-conception through post-partum nutrition, highlighting just where the history of foods recommended for pregnancy begins to go awry. Lily’s book is incredibly comprehensive in breaking down vital nutrients and their whole food sources and with many podcast interviews under her belt – we dive into some different topics. Looking at the importance of nutrition not just through the lens of the developing baby but also the health and vitality and resiliency of the mother. We talk about the importance of whole food nutrients together in their food source and the synergy of those nutrients in things like liver, egg yolks, and collagen-rich cuts. We also dive into body wisdom and whether or not we should listen to cravings. This is an incredible episode for women and men both thinking about their long-term health and conception journeys – Lily’s dietary recommendations aren’t just for those trying to conceive or pregnant – they’re good recommendations for anyone seeking a more nutrient dense diet.
We also talk about:Â
- Glycine and the importance of collagenÂ
- Making regenerative meat more accessible
- & so much more
Find Lily
Website: lilynicholsrdn.com
Instagram: @lilynicholsrdn
Books: Real Food for Pregnancy, Real Food for Gestational Diabetes
Further Reading Mentioned:Â
Protein Requirements in Pregnancy Article by Lily Nichols
Nourishment
Vitamin A deficiency linked to diaphragmatic hernia
The Dorito Effect
Wired to Eat
Related Ground Work Episodes:
Dr. Stephan van Vliet on the science behind regenerative ag
Tara CoutureÂ
Other Podcasts Featuring Lily’s Work:
Lily Nichols on Just Ingredients
Lily Nichols on Well-Fed Women
Current Discounts for GW listeners:
- 15% off Farm True ghee and body care products using code: KATEKAV15
Join the Ground Work Collective:
Instagram: @groundworkcollective
Find a Farm: nearhome.groundworkcollective.com
Find Kate: @kate_kavanaugh
More: groundworkcollective.com
Podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting: groundworkcollective.com/disclaimer


Welcome to Mind, Body, and Soil. Join me, Kate Kavanaugh, a farmer, entrepreneur, and holistic nutritionist, as I get curious about human nature, health, and consciousness as viewed through the lens of nature. At its heart, this podcast is about finding the threads of what it means to be humans woven into this earth. I’m digging into deep and raw conversations with truly impactful guests that are laying the ground work for themselves and many generations to come. We dive into topics around farming, grief, biohacking, regenerative agriculture, spirituality, nutrition, and beyond. Get curious and get ready with new episodes every Tuesday!
Lily Nichols, RDN is shifting the paradigm on what it means to eat for your health in your child-bearing years. Author of Real Food for Pregnancy and Real Food for Gestational Diabetes, Lily is leading a grassroots movement on getting back to eating nutrient dense foods and is at the cutting edge of the research on just how important they are for the health of mother, infant, and future generations. In this episode, we cover the journey from pre-conception through post-partum nutrition, highlighting just where the history of foods recommended for pregnancy begins to go awry. Lily’s book is incredibly comprehensive in breaking down vital nutrients and their whole food sources and with many podcast interviews under her belt – we dive into some different topics. Looking at the importance of nutrition not just through the lens of the developing baby but also the health and vitality and resiliency of the mother. We talk about the importance of whole food nutrients together in their food source and the synergy of those nutrients in things like liver, egg yolks, and collagen-rich cuts. We also dive into body wisdom and whether or not we should listen to cravings. This is an incredible episode for women and men both thinking about their long-term health and conception journeys – Lily’s dietary recommendations aren’t just for those trying to conceive or pregnant – they’re good recommendations for anyone seeking a more nutrient dense diet.
We also talk about:
- Glycine and the importance of collagen
- Making regenerative meat more accessible
- & so much more
Find Lily
Website: lilynicholsrdn.com
Instagram: @lilynicholsrdn
Books: Real Food for Pregnancy, Real Food for Gestational Diabetes
Further Reading Mentioned:
Protein Requirements in Pregnancy Article by Lily Nichols
Vitamin A deficiency linked to diaphragmatic hernia
Related Ground Work Episodes:
