by Jim Duffy
Far too many women have stood in the mirror cursing their genetics, most specifically their mothers, for their chubby thighs, their ample hips or flabby tummies. Studies have shown that these women may not have been too far off after all. Some of the findings of these studies include:
- A high-calorie diet consumed during pregnancy or breastfeeding may lead to childhood obesity and the associated health risks. (Science News: May 13, 2005)
- A high-fat diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding can lead to the early onset of puberty, which can also contribute to childhood obesity. (Science News: June 17, 2008)
- A poor diet may program a growing embryo to develop cardiovascular disease later in life. (Science News: May 12, 2005)
There are many things that are suggested to get the pregnancy and growing baby on the right and healthiest track. These tips include making sure that the overall nutrition of the mother (her protein intake and the level of fat in the diet) are at the right levels so that the baby's growth is optimal. However, additional studies show that it might be the time just before conception that is even more important to the health of the child both while in the womb and for his lifetime after birth. For instance, while it is known that diabetic mothers often have a harder time during pregnancy and birth, the effects may be more dire than previously believed.
Gestational diabetes, long thought to be merely a temporary condition of pregnancy, is now thought to be a precursor to diabetes that may appear five or ten years after the pregnancy has ended. Women who develop gestational diabetes are more likely to have larger babies and serious health conditions. These babies are also more likely to develop diabetes themselves.
It has also been advised that women who are not getting enough vitamins in their diet before becoming pregnant may expose their babies to deficiencies and health risks. For instance, women who do not have enough vitamin B12 or folic acid had babies that were fatter, were more likely to become insulin resistant and were also more likely to have high blood pressure by the time they had reached middle age. (Source: Science News: July 22, 2009)
It is known that if there is not enough protein or the wrong kind of protein in the diet, the body will continually seek out food sources until the right levels are reached, regardless of the additional calories. (Source: Massey University 2009) However, studies have shown that low protein intake during early conception (while the egg is still dividing) leads to abnormal growth, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure. and nervous behavior in the young. In the study, conducted with mice, the offspring of those who had low protein intake grew bigger, extracting as much nutrients as they could as compensation. (Source: Science News: July 22, 2009)
The diet that many women follow is not healthy for their own bodies let alone a growing fetus. Even women who are overweight at the start of their pregnancy need to make sure that they are getting the right number of calories in their diet as well as all of the right nutrients, with both the macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) being important for their best health. The average adult may only need .8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight to stay healthy, but a pregnant woman's needs are higher. Protein needs during pregnancy are a minimum of 60 grams, more for a woman who is carrying twins, and is important from the very start, even before the pregnancy is discovered. (Source: Medio Consult Nutrition Service)
Diane is pregnant and overweight. At first, she was overjoyed because like so many others before her, she felt that it did not matter if she gained more weight or if she lived on little greasy burgers and other bad foods. What she found out after her first prenatal diet scared her to death though, and she immediately started trying to follow a smarter eating plan.
While studies have shown that the damage may have already been done, she is going to do what she can to minimize any further health damage that she is doing not only to her own body but to the growing child inside of her. She knows that she needs to be careful not only to keep from gaining extreme amounts of weight but to make sure that she is getting all of the nutrients that she and the baby needs. She works with a nutritionist so that she is getting the right foods without falling victim to the fads, the trendy diets, and the scams that are so prevalent.
While most people should be getting the majority of their nutrition from a healthy and balanced diet, there is a chance that they are not getting enough of one food or food group, leaving them open for a nutritional deficiency that can increase their risk of offspring who will face ill health later in life. Poor diet may also make it impossible to keep a pregnancy on track and may increase the risk of miscarriage and maternal ill health.
Using a protein supplement can be beneficial and should be discussed with the woman's doctor before she begins a pregnancy, especially if there are any concerns that the woman's diet is deficient in any area. Protein supplements like Profect and the all-natural version, Proasis, can be very beneficial to the diet of both men and women for a number of reasons. Both Profect and Proasis are from Protica and have a full 25 grams of protein in a single serving, which also has 100% of the RDI of vitamin C and 10 % of the vitamin B complex. Profect and Proasis have zero fats and zero carbohydrates and only 100 calories, making them a good between-meal snack.
In addition, pregnant women who are plagued by morning sickness may have less nausea if they do not allow their stomachs to be completely empty for long periods of time. The longest time that you go without eating is typically overnight, which is why most women are sick when they first wake up. To combat this, having a small snack, preferably one that is high in protein, before getting out of bed can be very helpful. Because Profect is heat stable, it can be kept in the bedside table and consumed before moving around. It can also be used as is or mixed with other foods or beverages to suit personal tastes.
Profect and Proasis are available in a number of different sizes for convenience, including a single serving size which is less than three ounces total. Proasis, because it is all-natural, may be a better choice for anyone who has food allergies or intolerances which can make it hard to find the healthy foods that are needed during pregnancy.
- A high-calorie diet consumed during pregnancy or breastfeeding may lead to childhood obesity and the associated health risks. (Science News: May 13, 2005)
- A high-fat diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding can lead to the early onset of puberty, which can also contribute to childhood obesity. (Science News: June 17, 2008)
- A poor diet may program a growing embryo to develop cardiovascular disease later in life. (Science News: May 12, 2005)
There are many things that are suggested to get the pregnancy and growing baby on the right and healthiest track. These tips include making sure that the overall nutrition of the mother (her protein intake and the level of fat in the diet) are at the right levels so that the baby's growth is optimal. However, additional studies show that it might be the time just before conception that is even more important to the health of the child both while in the womb and for his lifetime after birth. For instance, while it is known that diabetic mothers often have a harder time during pregnancy and birth, the effects may be more dire than previously believed.
Gestational diabetes, long thought to be merely a temporary condition of pregnancy, is now thought to be a precursor to diabetes that may appear five or ten years after the pregnancy has ended. Women who develop gestational diabetes are more likely to have larger babies and serious health conditions. These babies are also more likely to develop diabetes themselves.
It has also been advised that women who are not getting enough vitamins in their diet before becoming pregnant may expose their babies to deficiencies and health risks. For instance, women who do not have enough vitamin B12 or folic acid had babies that were fatter, were more likely to become insulin resistant and were also more likely to have high blood pressure by the time they had reached middle age. (Source: Science News: July 22, 2009)
It is known that if there is not enough protein or the wrong kind of protein in the diet, the body will continually seek out food sources until the right levels are reached, regardless of the additional calories. (Source: Massey University 2009) However, studies have shown that low protein intake during early conception (while the egg is still dividing) leads to abnormal growth, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure. and nervous behavior in the young. In the study, conducted with mice, the offspring of those who had low protein intake grew bigger, extracting as much nutrients as they could as compensation. (Source: Science News: July 22, 2009)
The diet that many women follow is not healthy for their own bodies let alone a growing fetus. Even women who are overweight at the start of their pregnancy need to make sure that they are getting the right number of calories in their diet as well as all of the right nutrients, with both the macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) being important for their best health. The average adult may only need .8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight to stay healthy, but a pregnant woman's needs are higher. Protein needs during pregnancy are a minimum of 60 grams, more for a woman who is carrying twins, and is important from the very start, even before the pregnancy is discovered. (Source: Medio Consult Nutrition Service)
Diane is pregnant and overweight. At first, she was overjoyed because like so many others before her, she felt that it did not matter if she gained more weight or if she lived on little greasy burgers and other bad foods. What she found out after her first prenatal diet scared her to death though, and she immediately started trying to follow a smarter eating plan.
While studies have shown that the damage may have already been done, she is going to do what she can to minimize any further health damage that she is doing not only to her own body but to the growing child inside of her. She knows that she needs to be careful not only to keep from gaining extreme amounts of weight but to make sure that she is getting all of the nutrients that she and the baby needs. She works with a nutritionist so that she is getting the right foods without falling victim to the fads, the trendy diets, and the scams that are so prevalent.
While most people should be getting the majority of their nutrition from a healthy and balanced diet, there is a chance that they are not getting enough of one food or food group, leaving them open for a nutritional deficiency that can increase their risk of offspring who will face ill health later in life. Poor diet may also make it impossible to keep a pregnancy on track and may increase the risk of miscarriage and maternal ill health.
Using a protein supplement can be beneficial and should be discussed with the woman's doctor before she begins a pregnancy, especially if there are any concerns that the woman's diet is deficient in any area. Protein supplements like Profect and the all-natural version, Proasis, can be very beneficial to the diet of both men and women for a number of reasons. Both Profect and Proasis are from Protica and have a full 25 grams of protein in a single serving, which also has 100% of the RDI of vitamin C and 10 % of the vitamin B complex. Profect and Proasis have zero fats and zero carbohydrates and only 100 calories, making them a good between-meal snack.
In addition, pregnant women who are plagued by morning sickness may have less nausea if they do not allow their stomachs to be completely empty for long periods of time. The longest time that you go without eating is typically overnight, which is why most women are sick when they first wake up. To combat this, having a small snack, preferably one that is high in protein, before getting out of bed can be very helpful. Because Profect is heat stable, it can be kept in the bedside table and consumed before moving around. It can also be used as is or mixed with other foods or beverages to suit personal tastes.
Profect and Proasis are available in a number of different sizes for convenience, including a single serving size which is less than three ounces total. Proasis, because it is all-natural, may be a better choice for anyone who has food allergies or intolerances which can make it hard to find the healthy foods that are needed during pregnancy.
About the Author:
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein drinks for renal care patients. You can learn more at Protica Research - Copyright
