The consumption of a varied and balanced diet from the pre-conceptional period is essential to ensure both maternal well-being and pregnancy outcomes. However, the risk of inadequate intakes of specific micronutrients in pregnancy and lactation is high even in the most industrialised countries. This particularly applies to Protein, DHA, iron, iodine, calcium, folic acid, and vitamin D.8
There is compelling evidence from epidemiologic studies that poor nutrition during pregnancy, in the form of insufficient intake, low protein, or deficiencies in micronutrients, is associated with poor developmental outcomes in children including lower cognitive functioning, deficits in attention, and disruptive behaviour problems.9