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The mother's diet during pregnancy and afterward has a direct impact on fetal development. Deciding what to eat, how much to eat, and what supplements to take can be overwhelming for expectant mothers, explains obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Nitika Sobti, MD, Cloud Nine Hospital, Gurugram, in an interview with HT Lifestyle Pregnant women and new mothers should consult with their doctor to tailor their diet to their needs and give their babies the best possible start. This gynecologist further explained how the mother's diet directly affects the baby. Inadequate nutrition during childbirth is associated with deficiencies in important nutrients such as iron, iodine, folic acid, zinc and calcium. This nutrient deficiency can lead to preeclampsia, growth retardation, cognitive problems and even stillbirth.

During pregnancy, women's need for important nutrients for their health and that of their baby increases. These nutritional needs are met by a balanced diet that includes foods rich in calcium, vitamin D, folic acid, iron, omega-3 and zinc. A lack of these nutrients in the diet can affect the baby's immune system and cognitive abilities. This can affect the baby's risk of developing allergies and chronic diseases. When mothers eat diets low in nutrients and high in processed foods and sugar, babies are more likely to develop childhood obesity and even type 2 diabetes. It is therefore important that mothers eat a balanced diet with sufficient nutritional supplements. During breastfeeding, the mother's diet can affect the quality of breast milk. Breast milk is the main source of nutrition for babies and when mothers do not eat a nutritious diet, babies may suffer from various problems such as: weak immunity, poor physical development, cognitive and metabolic disorders and micronutrient deficiencies.