Mom's Prenatal Diet Protects Kids From Allergies

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You knew it would happen sooner or later. It's all part of being pregnant, and that seemed OK. You just didn't expect your fetus to be such a picky eater. You thought those demands would at least wait until she was born. But, apparently not - she's decided she prefers the Mediterranean diet and wants you start today...

Ah, kids. They make incredible demands on your time, your energy and even your appetites. And, new research shows they may bear the fruit of your culinary choices for many years to come.

A team of scientists in Greece, at the University of Crete, studied the impact of the Mediterranean diet on the offspring of pregnant women. They found the children of mothers who ate a Mediterranean diet while pregnant were less likely to develop allergies.

The team followed 460 women and their children from pregnancy through 6 years of age. Children were less likely to develop wheezing if their moms ate eight or more servings of veggies each week. They were also less likely to do so if their moms ate three or more fish servings each week.

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. It minimizes red meats and relies on small amounts of white meats, while also minimizing the intake of diary and eggs. Previous studies have shown the Mediterranean diet has tremendous health benefits for adults, particularly for the cardiovascular system.

The scientists suspect the Mediterranean diet's high levels of antioxidants, as well as the healthy omega-3 fats, may be responsible for protecting children from developing allergies.

So, it appears you'll just have to get used to it. But, look on the bright side. Your child's insistence that you eat the Mediterranean diet will add years to your life - there'll be plenty of time to plot your revenge.

To read more about the study, see this from Reuters. To learn more about the Mediterranean diet, see this from the Mayo Clinic.