Investing in the Next Generation: The Need for Prenatal Dietitians
The pressure to have the ‘perfect’ prenatal diet can be overwhelming. And if the nutrition advice you’ve received from friends, family, or other healthcare professionals seems vague, outdated, or unrealistic - that’s because it probably is! Prenatal dietitians are specifically equipped to help you reduce the overwhelm of conflicting advice. They are often the missing link to help you enjoy your pregnancy and confidently nourish your baby during this critical window of growth and development.
Who is a Prenatal Dietitian?
A prenatal dietitian is a registered dietitian who specializes in nutrition during pregnancy. They are experts in the prevention and treatment of pregnancy complications, as well as helping moms optimize nutrition for the proper growth and development of their baby during pregnancy and beyond. With a unique, detailed knowledge of nutrition and the ability to offer personalized, evidence-based advice, they help guide moms through the complex world of nutrition needs and concerns.
Why is Nutrition Important During Pregnancy?
Many think of nutrition during pregnancy as just 'eating for two’ or that taking a prenatal supplement means you are nutritionally covered. The truth is that nutrition during pregnancy is so much more than avoiding certain foods or just taking a supplement. It is the most important time in a woman’s life to care for their bodies and nourish their babies. It shapes your baby's long-term health and development, and plays a critical role in the development of baby’s brain, heart, eyes, and more.
Epigenetic research shows some profound new discoveries—you are actually laying the foundational 'blueprint' for your child's life! This is called genetic programming. Environmental factors during pregnancy can alter gene expression, turning on or off some of baby’s genes. In this way, the food a mother eats during pregnancy doesn't just affect things like birth weight, it plays a crucial role in "programming" a baby’s lifelong metabolic blueprint, influencing their risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Why Every Pregnancy Can Benefit from Nutrition Support
With a quick Google search, you’ll find a million conflicting opinions on prenatal diets, supplements, and what you ‘should’ or ‘should not’ be doing during pregnancy. A prenatal dietitian is uniquely trained to identify nutritional risks, help manage complex issues such as anemia, gestational diabetes, extreme morning sickness, vegetarian diets, and specific nutrient deficiencies, and translate science into practical, individually-tailored guidance.
Every woman deserves to feel confident and assured that they are nourishing their body and baby. Every pregnancy is also an opportunity for an investment in the long-term public health of our communities and future generations. That's why every pregnancy journey deserves expert, personalized support from a prenatal dietitian as a standard part of prenatal care.
If you’re ready to take the first step towards a confidently nourished pregnancy, talk to your doctor about a referral to a prenatal dietitian in your area or consider booking online with us today!