Downing high fat foods during pregnancy may be hazardous to the health of your child

Average American daily fat intake is 34% of daily calories.  Research has found that feeding a high-fat diet (32% of calories) to both lean and obese monkeys decreased uterine blood flow 38-56% and increased placental inflammatory cytokines, compared to a low-fat diet (14% fat). These changes occurred in both the normal weight and obese animals.  Obesity and insulinemia (pre-diabetics) further decreased placental blood flow to the fetus and resulted in placental infarctions and stillbirths.

PositiveTip:  Eating a low-fat diet with a good variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts can significantly improve maternal health.

A low-fat weight loss diet increases arterial blood flow, reduces fat mass, and waist size.

A study of obese subjects on either a high-fat or low-fat weight loss diet found that although both groups lost weight, only the low-fat group showed a significant reduction in fat mass, waist circumference, increased brachial artery blood flow and improvement in hormone balance. The high-fat diet actually impaired brachial blood flow with no improvement in hormone balance.

PositiveTip: A low-fat weight loss diet significantly improves weight loss, vascular blood flow and hormone levels that aid in better control of appetite and weight.