Nutella is no longer a girl’s best friend.

Old habits die hard, but in this case you may want to hurry up and kill it: a study has linked high amounts of junk food in a diet to preterm delivery in pregnancy. Whether you’re used to demolishing a Snickers bar to conquer that 2:30 p.m. feeling, or if you’re guilty of caving into unhealthy cravings, a poor diet is having a higher impact on your uterus than you may have realized.

The Study Says…

A study done by the University of Adelaide and researchers at the Robinson Research Institute discovered that large amounts of fat in a poor diet puts a woman’s chances to deliver a full-term baby at risk. The study investigated the diets of over 300 Australian women in the year before they conceived.

Dr. Jessica Grieger, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Institute, said: “Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant disease and death, and occurs in approximately one in 10 pregnancies globally. Anything we can do to better understand the conditions that lead to preterm birth will be important in helping to improve survival and long-term health outcomes for children.”

According to Mayo Clinic, a premature birth happens more than three weeks before the baby is due, or after less than 37 weeks of pregnancy (normal gestation is about 40 weeks). Premature birth can put infants at serious risk for illnesses such as cerebral palsy, breathing difficulties, deaf- and blindness. Late prematurity, which is between 32 to 37 weeks’ gestation, can still put the infant at risk for needing antibiotics or intensive care, or having breathing issues or low blood sugar.

The study demonstrated that women who had protein-rich, balanced diets had a significantly lesser risk of preterm birth than women who had indulged in diets high in saturated fat and sugar. Although diet during pregnancy is important, Grieger emphasized the importance of diet before pregnancy, too: “Diet is an important risk factor that can be modified. It is never too late to make a positive change.”

Caving to Cravings?

While you may do your best to balance your fruit and veggies with protein-rich meats, sometimes you can’t help but give in to that ice cream sandwich calling your name. Another study from Deakin University in Australia, partnered with researchers from Norway, investigated when cravings can be detrimental to you and your baby.

Published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the study gathered information on more than 23,000 women during and after pregnancy, as well as their child’s diet at 18 months and 3 years of age. They also checked the children for symptoms of mental health disorders at 18 months, 3 years, and 5 years of age.

The study concluded that mothers who frequently indulged in unhealthy foods during pregnancy had children with increased behavioral problems, such as tantrums and aggression. Their children were also more likely to consume unhealthy foods, which resulted in similar mental health issues, such as anxiety and aggression.

While sometimes it’s perfectly fine to give in to a doughnut or two, maintaining a balanced diet is important. If you’re concerned about how your diet may be impacting you and your fetus, give us a call. We’re happy to discuss delicious food and viable alternatives to help you satisfy those cravings without caving in completely!