Kristie McNealy, MD

When I was pregnant with our son, my midwife had me complete a 5 day diet history during my first trimester. Between the fact that I was sooo sick I could hardly even look at a couple of the major food groups, and the fact that this was my third baby and I figured I knew plenty about how to feed myself, I was a little annoyed. Now, It looks like my midwife was doing my son a service, by checking in on my eating habits. Researchers who spoke at the Association for the Study of Obesity annual meeting presented data which indicates that maternal diet during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, as well as foods fed during weaning may shape food choices and weight into adulthood.

Current research suggests that there are sensitive periods during intrauterine life and infancy that set long term food preferences. The foods mothers eat while pregnant and breastfeeding flavor the amniotic fluid and breastmilk, potentially influencing food preferences in their babies that could last for life.

While this can be beneficial, in the case of mothers who eat a healthful and balanced diet, this can also cause a problem when mothers eat high fat, nutrient poor diets. Evidence from animal studies have shown that when pregnant rats are fed high fat “junk food” diets during pregnancy, their offspring have larger appetites, seek out fattier food and have more body fat.

So, for all you pregnant and breastfeeding mamas out there: remember to eat a balanced diet, with plenty of fruits, vegetables and lean protein, and remember, you’re not really supposed to be “eating for two”!

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