When couples prepare to have a baby, nutrition advice often centers on the mother-to-be. But preparing for a healthy pregnancy may be a team effort—and that includes what dads eat before conception. New research suggests that a father’s diet may influence his baby’s growth and body composition even before pregnancy begins.
“Maternal nutrition and health before, during and after the baby’s birth have always received attention, but little is said about the role of the father’s diet,” said study author Daniela Sartorelli, a professor of medicine at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. “Our study shows that it also matters a great deal for the baby’s health.”
In a study of 43 families, researchers found that the more ultra-processed foods fathers consumed before conception, the higher their babies’ birth weight and the greater the accumulation of fat in the thighs and around the waist at birth.
Higher birth weight and elevated body fat early in life are considered risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases in adulthood.
Researchers believe diets high in ultra-processed foods may trigger inflammation in the body, affecting sperm quality and changing how certain genes are expressed before they’re passed to a baby.
One gene highlighted in the study, IGF-II, is inherited exclusively from the father and plays a key role in fetal growth.
A father’s eating habits may change how that gene behaves, researchers said, potentially influencing fetal development.
RELATED: Eating for Two? Start With These Summer Fruits
Moms’ diets also mattered, but in a different way. Mothers who ate more ultra-processed foods early in pregnancy tended to have babies with lower birth weights, shorter lengths and smaller head circumferences.
Researchers say the findings reinforce the importance of including fathers, alongside mothers, in health and family planning guidance.
The foods we eat are classified as either unprocessed, minimally processed, or ultra-processed, according to theHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Foods such as fruits and vegetables, oats, lean meats, and nuts are generally processed in various ways before they reach the shelves; for example, they may be washed, milled, frozen, cut, shelled, canned, or ground. Yet bread, pasta and cheese, although they contain many identifiable ingredients such as flour and milk, are usually more processed than the other foods.
On the contrary, ultra-processed foods have undergone substantial alteration or transformation from their natural state during the manufacturing process; for instance, a bag of potato chips must pass through a lengthy manufacturing process which involves frying them in oil and then seasoning them with salt and artificial flavorings before becoming a convenient snack (one that in no way at all resembles its original food source, potatoes), according to The Bump.
It isn’t the case that processed foods are necessarily unhealthy or unsafe to consume regularly. For instance, milk is considered a processed food because it has been pasteurized for safety, says Claire Rifkin, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of Claire Rifkin Nutrition, LLC.
However, ultra-processed foods are a different case: Rifkin states that they are produced in industrial environments, usually using ingredients such as high-fructose corn syrup and seed oils, as well as food additives that are not typically found in home cooking, ,such as artificial flavors, colors, emulsifiers, and thickeners. As a result, they are less healthy to consume regularly.
“Ultra-processed foods are those hyper-palatable, factory-made foods loaded with extra calories, carbohydrates, fats and chemical additives,” says Greg Marchand, MD, FACOG, an OB-GYN and expert in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery in Arizona. “Think neon-orange cheese puffs or pre-packaged pastries, not your grandma’s homemade soup.”
If you’re craving something highly processed but want to make a healthier choice, here are some easy swaps recommended by The Bump:
That said, sometimes a craving is a craving. So if you and baby are really wanting something, it’s okay to indulge.
Perfection shouldn’t be the goal. However, limiting ultra-processed foods can be an important part of maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy. So, what should you put on your plate? Here’s what experts recommend for a healthy pregnancy diet:
Prioritize whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats as often as possible, according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
“In general, try to choose foods that are closest to their natural forms in nature,” says Rifkin. “That being said, not everyone has the privilege or access to choose whole foods.”
Instead of putting pressure on yourself during mealtime, focus on making nutritious choices when and where you can, while recognizing that budget, time, availability and other factors can make eating whole foods more challenging.
The study does not mean that eating ultra-processed foods will automatically lead to health problems for a baby. It was a small study of just 43 families, and more research is needed to better understand how a father’s diet, sperm health and fetal development may be connected.
Still, the findings offer an important reminder: Healthy pregnancy preparation can begin before conception—and it can involve both parents. For couples thinking about starting a family, making nutritious food choices, limiting ultra-processed foods and discussing overall health with a healthcare provider may be worthwhile steps for both mom and dad.
The study was published in the July issue of the journal Nutrition Research.
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
