Good Prenatal Nutrition Key To Healthy Baby
by Ralph E Halsey
http://www.rehnutrition.com
Now there's even more reason to eat healthy while you're
pregnant. In March, 2005, the Joslin Diabetes Center
released the results of a study examining the effects of
poor prenatal nutrition on the fetus. The study showed that
even though the early effects on the newborn child seemed to
be reversed with healthy eating, the poor diet fed to the
pregnant mice in the study had permanent effects on the
children born to them. The majority of mice born to
malnourished mothers developed diabetes on becoming adults.
None of the control group did.
The implications of the study say more about prenatal
nutrition than they do about the causes of diabetes.
This isn't the first study that pointed to poor prenatal
nutrition as a cause of disorders and problems in the child.
It used to be believed that no matter how poor a diet a
pregnant woman ate, the effects on the child would be
minimal. Doctors thought that the baby's needs came first,
and the body would draw on stores of nutrients and needs in
the mother's body. If the mother didn't get enough calcium,
popular wisdom said, the baby would deplete the calcium
stored in its mother's bones.
The damage done to the pancreas in utero seems to be
irreversible, even with proper nutrition after birth. In
addition, while low birthweight babies are at risk for
developing diabetes as adults because of pancreatic
function, high birth weight babies (over 8 pounds) are also
at increased risk because they're resistant to insulin. It
seems that too much is just as dangerous as too little.
Diabetes is a case in point. The study done at Joslin found
that poor nutrition apparently damaged the fetus' pancreas
in utero. No amount of healthy eating after birth could
repair that damage.
Those extra calories shouldn't just be applied willy-nilly,
though. According to the American Dietetic Association, your
diet as a pregnant woman should include the following:
In addition, they recommend the following dietary
supplements for pregnant women to ensure that there is an
adequate supply of all needed nutrients for a growing baby:
At least 400 mcg f folic acid (vitamin B) Low dose iron
supplements A good multivitamin At least 6 8 ounce glasses
of water a day.
Most nutritionists and doctors also agree that the North
American diet doesn't provide adequate amounts of some key
nutrients. That's why most doctors will prescribe a prenatal
vitamin that provides extra iron and folic acid, both of
which are vital for your healthy pregnancy and your baby's
development.
If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the
next six months, a visit to a nutritionist can help you work
out a healthy eating and supplement plan that will provide
your body with all the nutrition it needs to grow a healthy
baby. He or she can help you fit your favorite foods into a
balanced diet, and make suggestions that will improve your
overall health.
If you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant in the
next few months, you should consult a dietition or other
nutrition specialist. They can get you started with a
healthy, nutritious eating plan that provides all the
nutrients that you and your growing baby need to get and
stay healthy.
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