What makes the Red Roof Cafe Special for Pregnant Women?

What makes the Red Roof Cafe Special for Pregnant Women? 

Breakfast is crucial for pregnant women, who are supporting the additional calorie needs of a growing fetus. For this population, “Breakfast is a vital meal to start the day with the proper balance of calories and nutrients,” Hendel says.

Specifically, breakfast can boost calcium and folic acid intake, both of which are imperative to a healthy pregnancy. Women who are pregnant require a higher-than-normal calcium intake, since a growing baby leeches calcium from their bones; plus folic acid helps prevent neural tube deformities.

“The folic acid issue is important when you’re either considering pregnancy or have an accidental pregnancy occur,” Hendel says. “So eating a balanced breakfast regularly maintains a healthy woman’s body as she even contemplates pregnancy, which is hugely important.”

Breakfast for this population, however, is key for other reasons as well. Pizzoferrato explains that prolonged fasting during pregnancy, such as longer than 12 hours, can have immediate and long-lasting effects on a developing fetus.

“Because a fetus relies on the nutrients obtained through the mother’s diet for development, a prolonged habitual fast can result in slow growth and preterm labor,” she warns. “In addition, research suggests that during the early stages of development, influences in the fetal environment could trigger genetic changes in order to adapt to life outside the womb. In this scenario, habitual fasting could interfere with a fetus’ normal metabolic programming in order to ‘adapt’ to the perceived threat of not having enough food in their outside environment.”

Pizzoferrato says extreme examples of such epigenetic changes have been studied in the offspring of women who were pregnant during wartime or in periods of famine. “Through cohort studies, researchers identified similar metabolic anomalies in glucose-insulin metabolism of the adult offspring, leading to obesity and diabetes,” she continues. “While skipping breakfast may not guarantee the same course of events for the child, permanent changes in metabolic programming can’t be ruled out.”

As an added benefit, Frank says including a starch at breakfast can reduce bouts of nausea, which is common for many pregnant women.

JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST!!
300 S Volusia Ave - Hwy US 17-92, Orange City, Florida

(386) 561-9535 | 1876HERITAGEINN.COM