Does what we eat affect our kids?

Did you know that what a woman eats, during pregnancy, can affect the DNA of her baby?  According to Dr. Stephen Chaney, in a study performed by Ong & Muhlhausler, female rats were maintained on either a standard rat chow or a "junk-food diet"(food containing high fat and sugar), while the rat was pregnant and then while lactating  Then the rats were separated from their moms and allowed to choose what they wanted to eat.

The "junk food" babies showed a marked preference for high fat foods.  Also, they showed alterations in their hormones that preconditioned them to require a higher intake of fat to experience pleasure from eating.

In a second study by Jousee et al, and Faseb, female mice were maintained on either a standard mice chow or a low protein diet, during pregnancy and lactation.

In this situation, the mice offspring had a lower body weight and less fat.

Every good nutritionist knows that pregnant and lactating women should not be on a low protein diet.  With that said it is sensible for pregnant/lactating women to eat the right amount of protein, carbs and fat to be healthy and to have a healthy baby.

To prepare for conceiving a baby, a healthy diet is the responsibility of both parents,  The baby will have DNA from both.

Most prenatal nutrition advice is currently based on what it takes to have a healthy baby - not on what it might take for your child to experience better health throughout their life.

For pre-natal, pregnancy, and/or lactating nutrition program contact Mary Beth at 810-813-3308. 

Creating a healthy family is like a game of  Follow the Leader.  Our kids will do what we do, take care of yourself first.

Mary Beth
http://www.mamabearproductions.net/