Here is an interesting article recently featured in Vogue Magazine.
Click the link below for the original article:
Your body goes through a host of changes in pregnancy—as does
your diet. You shore up on nutrients you need more of (folate, iron),
cut back on options you need less of (refined sugars, caffeine), give up
most things raw (fish, cheese), and toast your future little one with
sparkling water. In some ways, the pre- and postnatal diet is clean
eating at its best. And while many of these food-based principles have
been around for decades, researchers continue to examine new
associations between maternal nutrition and newborn health—including a
number of recent findings that might alter what you decide to put on
your plate or skip. Here, four surprising dietary recommendations to
have on your radar and discuss with your ob-gyn at checkup time.
1. Consider tabling artificial sweeteners.
A new study published this month in
JAMA Pediatrics
found that women who consumed at least one artificially sweetened
beverage per day during pregnancy were twice as likely to have an
overweight child at 1 year of age compared to those who skipped these
beverages. “One possible explanation is that our metabolism is
programmed in utero, and consistent exposure to these artificial
sweeteners could change how your body reacts to actual sugar, causing
increased weight gain,” says Meghan Azad, PhD, lead author of the study
and an assistant professor of pediatrics and child health at the
University of Manitoba. The findings, which are part of the Canadian
Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development Study, did not show any
correlation with fetal body weight, which suggests the effects of
artificial sweeteners could surface later in life and possibly have a
lasting impact.
2. Up your intake of PUFAs and probiotics.
Studies show that eating polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and
probiotics might decrease risk for allergies. “Newborns first acquire
their gut microbiome from their mothers during birth,” explains Azad.
This mini ecosystem is filled with microorganisms that keep our immune
system robust. PUFAs can improve how certain cells respond to foreign
substances while probiotics optimize beneficial bacteria to defend
against pathogens. Good sources for PUFAs include walnut oil and
flaxseed; for probiotics, look for yogurt and kefir that contain live
and active cultures.
3. Embrace all the spices you want.
For years, women were told to eat bland foods while breast-feeding, for
fear that spicy ones might discourage a baby from feeding well. Recent
studies debunk that theory: In fact, newborns tend to feed longer when
their mothers have a diet that includes aromatic flavors, such as garlic
and vanilla. “Babies will [nurse] longer when they’re exposed to all
sorts of flavors,” says Julie Mennella, PhD, a biopsychologist at the
Monell Chemical Senses Center who has authored numerous studies on the
subject. “Their sensory and brain development is geared toward
this—babies are really open to learning about new foods.” And the more
varied your meals are, the most likely it is your baby will accept novel
foods, too.
4. Don’t skimp on choline.
Folate, iron, and calcium usually top the list of pregnancy
super-nutrients. But recent studies show most women—including those in
high-income countries—do not get adequate levels of choline, a key
nutrient that’s important for fetal brain development, says nutritionist
Linda Sebelia, RD, an adjunct professor at the University of Rhode
Island. Good sources include eggs, tofu, lean beef, and Brussels
sprouts. Aim for 450 milligrams a day if you’re pregnant and 550
milligrams a day if you’re breast-feeding.
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