Diet during breastfeeding: study warns about the risks of fast food consumption for both mother and baby.
The impact of poor diet on breast milk can begin even before pregnancy.
By Gabriela Cupani, from Agência Einstein - Scientists at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom conducted an initial study with animals and investigated the effect of a diet high in sugar and fat, similar to... fast food, during the three weeks prior to pregnancy. The results indicated an alteration in the protein composition of the milk from the guinea pigs, even though consumption occurred shortly before pregnancy.
“It is known that the composition of human milk is influenced by the mother's diet during lactation. This study demonstrated alterations in protein composition. However, in humans, previous studies mainly link maternal diet to alterations in the lipid components of breast milk and not in protein composition,” explains nutritionist Vanessa Ramis Figueira, from the Milk Bank of the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital.
"More studies are needed to confirm this alteration in humans as well," he adds. In fact, research shows that maternal intake, mainly of fatty acids and some micronutrients, including vitamins such as B and C and calcium, is directly related to the composition of breast milk.
Furthermore, good nutrition is essential for both mother and child at all stages of life. While only 20% of our genes are influenced by hereditary factors, the other 80% are affected by lifestyle.
"Therefore, research suggests that nutrition during pregnancy and the first 5 years can determine long-term health and well-being effects, even into adulthood. This is called metabolic programming, encompassing the first 2.200 days of life," explains Vanessa.
The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that women of childbearing age, whether pregnant or not, adopt a healthy lifestyle overall, including diet, physical activity, and appropriate weight gain during pregnancy.
For the mother, it's a way to reduce the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, premature birth, obesity-related complications, pre-eclampsia, and gestational hypertension, as well as replenishing the necessary reserves for childbirth and postpartum, ensuring sufficient nutrients for lactation. For the baby, it means a lower chance of weight fluctuations, chronic health problems, an increased risk of childhood obesity, and neurocognitive impairments.
It's no use maintaining your weight if you eat poorly. For the baby, a deficient or inadequate maternal nutritional status is associated with abnormal developmental patterns, including low birth weight or fetal growth restriction.
“Nutrition is considered a potentially modifiable risk factor and, along with breastfeeding, the correct introduction of complementary feeding, and the maintenance of good eating habits, is a basic requirement for adequate child growth and development,” says Vanessa.
What should not be missing from mothers' menus:
A balanced diet during pregnancy and lactation should include a variety of whole, nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, minimally processed foods, and healthy fats with omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, according to international guidelines and the Dietary Guidelines for Pregnant Women from the Ministry of Health.
- Avoid using processed seasonings due to their high sodium and additive content;
- Consuming foods rich in fiber helps with satiety and healthy bowel function, helping to prevent constipation, which is common at this stage;
- Avoid sweetened beverages, such as soda and processed juices. Maintain adequate hydration, which also helps with bowel function. Opt for water, natural coconut water, and teas that are safe for pregnant women (such as mint, chamomile, lemon balm, and boldo), without added sugar.
- Pregnant women who do not eat meat should include legumes and citrus fruits, or yellow-orange fruits or vegetables, in the same meal.
- Avoid ultra-processed foods, such as instant noodles, packaged snacks, salty or filled biscuits/cookies, and sweets;
- Avoid a diet that unnecessarily restricts any type of food or nutrient.
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