If you’re pregnant, you’ve probably heard people talk about how lucky you are to be able to eat whatever you want. Unfortunately, this common phrase is far from the truth. What you eat during pregnancy can greatly affect your unborn baby’s health. Excess sugar in your diet and a lack of nutrients can cause attention deficit issues, learning problems, and an elevated risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Fetal Sugar Spectrum Disorder and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Produce Similar Effects
A pregnant woman who drinks alcohol during her pregnancy increases her risk of having a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Research has shown similar results in children who are born to women who eat high amounts of fructose (e.g., sugar, high fructose corn syrup).
Processed foods contain most of the fructose consumed today. When you eat a lot of fructose, whether it is contained in drinks, sweets, or convenience foods, you can become addicted to them. Sugar affects your body much in the same way that alcohol does. Not only is it structurally similar, but it also stimulates the reward centers of your brain. This leads to dependence, cravings, and overeating.
Children of mothers who eat excessive amounts of sugar during their pregnancies are often diagnosed with ADHD, similar to children of mothers who drink alcohol while they are pregnant. Some experts believe that preventative measures should be taken by warning pregnant women about the dangers of a high-sugar diet during pregnancy along with the current warnings against drinking alcohol.
A Poor Diet During Pregnancy Will Affect Food Choices in the Future
Research has shown that mothers who stick to an unhealthy diet and overeat during pregnancy may be more likely to have children who also make poor food choices. A mother’s diet seems to have lasting effects that go beyond adolescence, impacting her child’s future health.
In a recent study, pregnant rats were fed a diet of processed junk food, like doughnuts and cookies. Compared with the offspring of those that were fed a healthy diet, the junk food group had elevated levels of triglycerides. High triglycerides increase the risk of heart disease. This group also had a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Even when the junk food group entered adulthood and became pregnant themselves, they were still fatter than the healthy food group. Part of this body fat was seen surrounding the kidneys, which is a contributing factor to the development of type 2 diabetes.
A Diet Lacking in Nutrients Before and During Pregnancy Leads to Diabetes
The importance of proper nutrition before conception is often underestimated. In fact, half of the iron used during fetal development is used from a mother’s pre-pregnancy stores.
Study mice that were fed a low protein diet for ten weeks before conception and a normal diet during pregnancy had offspring with lower birth weights. After weaning, they had “catch-up” growth and increased insulin sensitivity.
Low birth weight and catch-up growth tend to result in insulin sensitivity in young adults. This often leads to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes later on in life.
Good nutrition during pregnancy must go beyond a daily prenatal vitamin. A high-sugar, low-nutrient diet can have damaging effects on a developing fetus’ future health. Invest in your child’s future by cutting sugar and eating high quality, nutritious foods.
Resources:
Davis, Caroline. “Maternal Diet and Offspring Development.” Addiction 106.7 (2011): 1215-216. Print.
Society for Experimental Biology. “Pre-pregnancy diet affects the health of future offspring, mouse study suggests.” ScienceDaily, 1 Jul. 2011. Web. 13 Mar. 2012.
