ABSTRACT
Aims
Pregnancy is a key opportunity to support women in achieving healthy dietary patterns due to increased motivation and frequent exposure to healthcare professionals. However, it is unclear whether changes made during pregnancy can be maintained postpartum. This study examined the impact of an antenatal dietary intervention, initiated early to mid pregnancy, on postpartum dietary intake.
Methods
In the Healthy Gut Diet (HGD) study, participants were randomised to a dietary intervention or usual care. The intervention was integrated with behaviour change techniques and informed by the lived experience of women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). Dietary intake was assessed using food frequency questionnaires at baseline, 36 weeks’ gestation, and 12 weeks’ postpartum. Outcomes included alignment with the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, intakes of core food groups, key macro- and micronutrient intakes, prebiotic and fermented food intake, and overall diet quality. Between-group differences postpartum were assessed using independent t-tests, and longitudinal effects were evaluated with linear mixed-effect models adjusted for pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) and recent GDM. Secondary analyses explored associations between maternal characteristics, depressive symptoms, diet quality, fibre and saturated fat intake.
Results
The intervention group had significantly (p < 0.05) higher diet quality, greater intakes of core food groups, fibre, prebiotic, and monounsaturated fat and lower saturated fat than usual care at 12 weeks postpartum. More women in the intervention group met recommendations for fibre, magnesium, iron and folate, and core food group serves of vegetables, fruit and meat/meat alternatives. Mixed-effect models showed sustained improvements postpartum in the intervention group. Antenatal depressive symptoms were associated with lower postpartum diet quality (p = 0.01), and lower income was associated with lower saturated fat intakes.
Conclusions
Well-designed, behaviourally informed antenatal interventions can support sustained dietary improvements postpartum. Addressing social and psychological factors is essential for maximising their impact.
Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 38, Issue 6, December 2025. Read More