What you eat during pregnancy and it’s impact on your baby

Recent animal studies have revealed that a mom’s diet during pregnancy could rewire the part of the baby’s brain that regulates appetite. There is proof that being overweight or obese while pregnant, gaining excessive weight during pregnancy – increase of 18 kgs (40 lbs) or more – or having uncontrolled gestational diabetes could onset future obesity in the offspring.

Obesity is no longer viewed as a failure of self-restraint and over indulgence. Gene-environment interactions are also responsible for predisposing a child for future weight gain. That’s why maintaining a healthy weight and diet during pregnancy and lactation is key. Research has also pointed out that the father’s health and weight has an impact too in the developing fetus. What you and your partner eat before pregnancy affects your gut microbiome and flora. The intestinal flora has been linked to one’s health and obesity. If your flora is at its optimal health you’ll be sure to pass this along to your baby. Now, if you and your partner didn’t practice a balanced diet prior to becoming pregnant, don’t sweat it, there is no better time to change habits and become as healthy as you can be.

What you eat during your nine months of pregnancy is very important! So be sure to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables and try to stay away from heavily processed foods as they tend to be high in sugar, fat and sodium.