Kim Trout (Georgetown University) and Lisa Wetzel-Effinger (Villanova) just published (this post was written in November) a paper that may provide a key to reducing childhood obesity. Their article in Current Diabetes Reports suggests that “prenatal flavor learning” is that magic key.
Trying various foods while pregnant affords the flavor and odors of the foods to show up in the amniotic fluid, as well as in breast milk. Given that fetal taste receptor cells present themselves at 16 weeks and taste buds just before that, it is hoped that a baby’s palate can be trained in this way.
Many family physicians and Ob/Gyn practitioners have advocated mothers-to-be to eat healthy foods for some time- both for the health of the baby and to model that behavior for their children.
It’s hoped that exposing the fetus to vegetables, which tend to have a more bitter taste, will render them more palatable once they are born- and continue to have those nuances present in breast milk. The problem is that there is no 1:1 correspondence that will guarantee the child will take to broccoli, for example.
I admit to not having heard of this concept, so I did more research. I found articles dating back to 2001. Drs. Mennella, Jagnow, and Beauchamp published the results of a test study in Pediatrics. In that article, they noted that infants can recognize (upon birth) the odors of their own amniotic fluid, as well as flavors such as garlic and anise that they experienced in utero.
Trout (the author of the first article) has incorporated these concepts in the midwifery master’s programs at Georgetown and also for patient training programs she operates at the University of Pennsylvania obstetrics clinics. Hopefully, this practice will become more widespread. Both for flavor introduction and to ensure healthy eating.
A timely article for me being an expectant grandmother, and also affirming what I believed to be true during my own pregnancies.
Well, congratulations to you, Ms. H!
And, you are right, it’s why kids in America are not generally familiar with or endeared to cardamom and cumin- while kids in India are…
Roy
Really?! I’d rather subscribe to the very simple formula…you cannot take in more calories than you burn. It is simple math. Same with finances. You can’t spend more than you make and not go into debt. Encouraging pregnant women to eat well is great but parents who invest time in providing proper nutrition, limiting snacks, involving children in exercise and athletics, limiting television…will most likely have a greater success than relying on what’s eaten during pregnancy. Move it if you want to lose it in my books.
Tambre Leighn/coaching by tambre recently posted..J-O-Y
I do need to add that this doesn’t relate to medical conditions and that if someone hasn’t been raised with tools to understand proper weight management and later finds themselves overweight, the equation is NOT that simplistic. There is education to be done, patterns to be transformed, support needed…new tools, etc. But hopefully, for children if they are raised with proper nutrition and exercise they will have these tools in place. I wouldn’t subscribe to “telling” someone to “just do it”. We must bring in compassion, patience and support for change over time.
Tambre Leighn/coaching by tambre recently posted..J-O-Y
All true, Tambre!
But, if we want our kids to eat healthily- it seems to come from what they learn as interesting flavors at an early age.
Cutting out those chocolate sundaes with whipped cream during pregnancy may serve more than one purpose!
Roy
Interesting Roy! You always share such great information, you are like my go to resource. I love it!
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And, when you are ready for your next child, let me know, Lynn! 🙂
Have a great day!
Interesting article Roy. Thanks for sharing this. I sent this post to my niece who is pregnant with her first child. She is very active and athletic but I thought I would share it anyway.
You shared some great information that I thought she could use.
Cindy
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Glad you liked it, Cindy.
We can only introduce healthy eating to our kids. Developing the habit to eat healthy is what they have to do!
Roy
Oh well – too many sweets has always been a problem in the family. I agree with Tambre but it is not always that easy and 40 years ago when I had my children, we knew far less than today – but neither of my children had allergies and other eating problems as children either. And all but one of my grandchildren seem have had no health problems either. The one who had health problems and allergies, mother ate healthier than ever.
On one level this makes perfect sense and on the other hand….???? pure BS. Interesting though and thanks for sharing Roy
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The concept behind the research is to develop our children’s palates, Roberta. On a basic level, we already knew this- children from India liked the spicier foods than those in the States, etc.
The trick behind this study was to develop a palate for vegetables and healthier foods, so the kids wouldn’t reject them. That’s how we get them to eat healthier.
Roy
Love this! Eat healthy, ladies!
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Thanks, Pamela, for your approbation!
Roy