Maternal diet during pregnancy may affect asthma and allergies in children.
A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology sought to assess the maternal intake of common childhood food allergens during early pregnancy. The results showed food allergy was common (5.6%) in middle childhood, as was the sensitization of foods (28%). Higher maternal peanut intake during the first trimester was associated with reduced odds of peanut allergic reactions.
Higher milk intake during the first trimester was associated with reduced asthma and allergic rhinitis.
Higher wheat intake during the second trimester was associated with reduced eczema.
In conclusion, higher peanut, milk and wheat during early pregnancy was associated with reduced odds of childhood asthma and allergies.
We have been seeing more of these studies lately, showing avoidance of foods is not the way to go and early exposure is best.