Nutrition in pregnancy: Mediterranian diet is advisable

Summary

A dietary pattern rich in health-promoting foods, including plant-based foods - fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, soya, nuts - with low levels of animal proteins and sugars, need to remain our priority. The most common causes of mortality like diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular problems respond to these simple nutritional interventions. New evidence shows that the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy has benefits both in maternal weight gain and prevention of gestational diabetes. These advantages can also help reduce the overall risk of complications for the offspring at the beginning of life. Effects of the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy will likely produce lifelong health benefits both for both mother and baby. 

Nutrition in pregnancy

Mediterranean diet is the Cultural Heritage of Humanity according to Unesco. It has been purported to be the best option whenever we seek to eat well. This is part of the reason why I moved to Granada, Spain. As a gynaecologist, I have also researched weight management and lifestyle in pregnancy. It goes without saying that healthy eating is essential during pregnancy, to protect the mother and the baby.

At a time when Coronavirus pandemic engulfed the Earth, does it surprise you to know that Diabetes remained at the top of the ranking of causes of mortality? Well, it just goes to show that our priority need not divert away from nutrition. A dietary pattern rich in health-promoting foods, including plant-based foods - fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, soya, nuts - with low levels of animal proteins and sugars, need to remain our priority. The quantity matters too. Key components of the Mediterranean diet are 30 grams of mixed nuts per day for an individual and half a litre of extra-virgin olive oil for cooking for an average family.

An update

New research into the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy has shown benefits both in maternal weight gain and prevention of gestational diabetes. These advantages can help reduce the overall risk of complications for the mother and the offspring. The benefits seen are observed in high-risk women who start pregnancy obese, with high blood pressure or raised lipid levels in the blood.

The implementation of the Mediterranean diet also appeared to be acceptable to women who previously had not been used to cooking and consuming almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, olive oil, fruits and whole grains. This means that the Mediterranean diet can also be adopted by an ethnically and culturally diverse population.

A window of opportunity

Pregnancy offers a window of opportunity to address the issues concerning nutrition. Women tend to adopt a more healthy lifestyle in pregnancy. The medical profession should take advantage of this positive tendency to offer better nutritional advice. Improvements in this area will benefit not just the pregnancy but the whole family as the changes in the kitchen serve as an intervention for all at home. Avoidance of risk through healthy eating in pregnancy can become a lifelong habit.

Balanced diet taken the Mediterranian way will reduce later development of diabetes and cardiovascular problems. Cutting down on processed foods should become a lasting habit. Continued after pregnancy, the Mediterranean diet, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and low in refined sugars, will improve health outcomes in the long run.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is a window into a better health future for the mother and the baby. A Mediterranean diet composed of at least 30 grams of nuts and extra-virgin olive oil reduces pregnancy complications and offers lifelong advantages to the newborn. What people know in Spain about how to cook and eat well can be learnt. It can be applied daily by incorporated elements of the Mediterranean diet into local cuisine. We can carry forward the enjoyment of garden salads, seasonal fruit, gazpacho, etc into life after pregnancy and forget about fast, pre-cooked food forever.

Author: Professor Khalid Khan