The right diet is important for the health of you and your baby

Navigating the world of nutrition can be challenging for expectant and new moms. In an attempt to do what's best for my baby, I started reading food labels when I was pregnant, and in the process I realized how little I knew about the food I eat. With such an abundance of dietary advice available, it's difficult to wade through all the information available. And then off course it should also be taken into consideration whether baby wants to eat what you give them! Maternal diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding can significantly influence the metabolic health of your baby. Generally it is advised to lower saturated fat and increase fiber consumption in babies. This along with probiotic supplementation, has been shown to reduce the risk of adverse metabolic markers in babies (Aumeistere et al., 2019; Marangoni et al., 2016). Breastfed babies also show reduced risk compared to formula-fed infants (Jeurink et al., 2019; Gale et al., 2012).

Recent studies have raised significant concerns about high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diets during lactation. Research involving Wistar rat dams showed that a ketogenic diet led to increased liver weight and altered cholesterol and triglyceride levels, potentially impacting long-term health. In humans, there have been alarming reports of severe ketoacidosis in lactating mothers following a strict ketogenic diet. This condition, while rare, is a serious metabolic complication characterized by symptoms such as chest pain, nausea, and vomiting, requiring urgent medical attention. These findings underscore the risks of extreme diets like keto during sensitive periods like lactation (Alves et al., 2023; Nnodum et al., 2019).

In contrast, women following a paleolithic diet during pregnancy showed improved glucose tolerance, higher hemoglobin levels, and better iron stores. Their babies were slightly lighter but healthy, indicating potential benefits of a balanced paleo diet (Lavie et al., 2019). The Mediterranean diet, known for its anti-inflammatory and heart-healthy benefits, is great for moms and babies too. Studies have shown positive effects on various cardiovascular risk factors, potentially enhancing overall health during pregnancy and breastfeeding (Tuttolomondo et al., 2019).

Additionally, Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are crucial for fetal and infant neurodevelopment. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend intakes of 250–375 mg EPA + DHA/day for pregnant and lactating women. Low maternal DHA status can impair fetal neurodevelopment, emphasizing the importance of omega-3 intake during pregnancy, especially in conditions like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. In addition to DHA, other micronutrients such as iron, iodine, calcium, folic acid, and vitamin D are crucial during pregnancy and lactation. The risk of inadequate intakes is higher in certain groups, such as those on exclusion diets, smokers, adolescents, and mothers with multiple or close pregnancies (Devarshi et al., 2019).

Avoiding added sugar during pregnancy is important as it leads to weight gain during pregnancy, increasing the risk of gestational diabetes. Additionally, maternal sugar intake impacts infant and childhood metabolism and taste perception and has been linked to increased obesity risk as well as the development of allergies and asthma in offspring. Preconception sugar intake by both the mother and father impacts infant metabolism. Even the use of artificial sweeteners has been linked to preterm birth risk, higher infant body size and a preference for sweet foods (Gupta et al., 2022).

What does this mean in real terms however? In terms of the day to day feeding of our family, incorporating as much as possible real/whole foods is very important. This means avoiding sugary breakfast cereals and opting for protein rich breakfasts (eggs is a good option) as much as possible. Additionally you can never go wrong with fresh fruits and vegetables, butter, whole milk, yogurt and leaner meats (Peterson and Schilling, 2017). The fats in nutrients in these are important for development in young children (Peterson and Schilling, 2017). In addition omega 3 intake is very important for health in babies and children and this can most easily be achieved through the intake of fatty fish or extended breastfeeding (up to 2 years and later) (Huffman et al., 2011). Lastly, allowing babies and children to regulate the amount they eat through an approach such as baby wed leaning is also a good idea as this helps combat overeating (Peterson and Schilling, 2017).

In conclusion, for mothers opting to go with the Mediterranean or paleolithic diets seems to be the safe option during pregnancy and lactation. Additionally, eating whole foods instead of processed foods with additives as well as ditching sugar as well any sweeteners is very important. Lastly, make sure to drink your prenatals and make sure they contain the essential micronutrients and omega 3.

References

Alves, J.S.D., de-Castro, R.M., Bezerra, H.J.C., de-Santana, B.J.R.C., do Nascimento, E., de Oliveira, Y., Alves, J.M., de Brito Alves, J.L., Magnani, M., Toscano, A.E. and de Santana Muniz, G., 2023. A ketogenic diet pattern during lactation increases visceral fat, glucose, and cholesterol levels and reduces beneficial fecal bacteria in dams and offspring. Food Bioscience, 56, p.103158.

Aumeistere, L., Ciproviča, I., Zavadska, D., Andersons, J., Volkovs, V. and Ceļmalniece, K., 2019. Impact of maternal diet on human milk composition among lactating women in Latvia. Medicina, 55(5), p.173.

Devarshi, P.P., Grant, R.W., Ikonte, C.J. and Hazels Mitmesser, S., 2019. Maternal omega-3 nutrition, placental transfer and fetal brain development in gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Nutrients, 11(5), p.1107.

Gale, C., Logan, K.M., Santhakumaran, S., Parkinson, J.R., Hyde, M.J. and Modi, N., 2012. Effect of breastfeeding compared with formula feeding on infant body composition: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 95(3), pp.656-669.

Goran, M.I., Plows, J.F. and Ventura, E.E., 2019. Effects of consuming sugars and alternative sweeteners during pregnancy on maternal and child health: evidence for a secondhand sugar effect. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 78(3), pp.262-271.

Gupta, A., Singh, A., Fernando, R.L., Dharmage, S.C., Lodge, C.J. and Waidyatillake, N.T., 2022. The association between sugar intake during pregnancy and allergies in offspring: a systematic review and a meta-analysis of cohort studies. Nutrition reviews, 80(4), pp.904-918.

Jeurink, P.V., Knipping, K., Wiens, F., Barańska, K., Stahl, B., Garssen, J. and Krolak-Olejnik, B., 2019. Importance of maternal diet in the training of the infant's immune system during gestation and lactation. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 59(8), pp.1311-1319.

Lavie, M., Lavie, I. and Maslovitz, S., 2019. Paleolithic diet during pregnancy—A potential beneficial effect on metabolic indices and birth weight. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 242, pp.7-11.

Marangoni, F., Cetin, I., Verduci, E., Canzone, G., Giovannini, M., Scollo, P., Corsello, G. and Poli, A., 2016. Maternal diet and nutrient requirements in pregnancy and breastfeeding. An Italian consensus document. Nutrients, 8(10), p.629.

Nnodum, B.N., Oduah, E., Albert, D. and Pettus, M., 2019. Ketogenic diet-induced severe ketoacidosis in a lactating woman: a case report and review of the literature. Case Reports in Nephrology, 2019.

Tuttolomondo, A., Simonetta, I., Daidone, M., Mogavero, A., Ortello, A. and Pinto, A., 2019. Metabolic and vascular effect of the Mediterranean diet. International journal of molecular sciences, 20(19), p.4716.