Researchers followed 337 Australian women to see how their eating habits changed from pregnancy through one year after giving birth. They found that most women weren’t eating as healthily as recommended during pregnancy or after the baby arrived. Women ate more vegetables and meat after birth, but less fruit and dairy products. The study also discovered that women with less education, lower income, or higher weight before pregnancy tended to have the poorest eating habits. These findings suggest that new mothers—especially younger women and those with fewer resources—need better support and guidance to eat well during this important time.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How women’s eating habits and food choices change from late pregnancy through one year after having a baby, and whether their diets match what health experts recommend
  • Who participated: 337 Australian women, average age 33 years old. About half were born in Australia, and about half had a university education. All women had complete food records at both pregnancy and one year after birth.
  • Key finding: Women’s overall diet quality barely improved after having a baby (34.0 to 34.8 points out of 73). Most women weren’t eating enough fruits, dairy, and important nutrients like folate and iodine at either time point. Women with lower education, lower income, or higher pre-pregnancy weight had the poorest diets.
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant or recently had a baby, this research suggests you might benefit from personalized nutrition guidance—especially if you have limited resources or education about healthy eating. The findings don’t apply to all women equally; they highlight that some groups need more support than others.

The Research Details

This was a longitudinal study, which means researchers followed the same women over time and collected information at two specific points: during late pregnancy (third trimester) and one year after giving birth. The women filled out detailed food questionnaires asking about what they ate, and researchers scored their overall diet quality using a special scoring system called the Australian Recommended Food Score. The researchers also collected information about each woman’s age, education level, income, and weight before pregnancy from hospital records and surveys.

The researchers used statistical tests to compare how women’s eating changed between the two time periods. They also looked for patterns—for example, whether younger women ate differently than older women, or whether women with university degrees ate better than those without. This approach allowed them to see both the overall changes and which groups of women were most affected.

Following the same women over time is important because it shows real changes in eating habits during a critical period—pregnancy and the first year of motherhood. This is when nutrition is especially important for both the mother’s recovery and the baby’s health. By collecting detailed food information and comparing it to official health recommendations, the researchers could identify exactly which nutrients women were missing and which groups needed the most help.

This study has several strengths: it followed women at two important time points, used validated food questionnaires, and included a reasonably large group of women (337). However, the study only included Australian women, so results may not apply to other countries with different food systems or cultures. The study also relied on women remembering what they ate, which can be less accurate than other methods. The researchers had complete data from both time points for all participants, which is good. The study was observational, meaning it shows associations (like lower education linked to poorer diet) but cannot prove that one thing causes another.

What the Results Show

Women’s overall diet quality was poor both during pregnancy and one year after birth, with only a small improvement (from 34.0 to 34.8 points out of a possible 73). This means most women were not eating according to Australian health guidelines at either time point.

After having a baby, women ate more vegetables and meat but less fruit and dairy products. They also consumed less carbohydrates and saturated fat. However, they weren’t getting enough important nutrients like folate (needed for cell health), iodine (needed for brain development), and vitamin A. These changes suggest that while some dietary shifts happened, they didn’t necessarily move women toward healthier eating patterns.

The study found that most women fell short of recommended amounts for multiple food groups and nutrients both during pregnancy and postpartum. For example, many women weren’t eating enough fruits, vegetables, dairy, or whole grains. This is concerning because these are critical times when good nutrition supports both the mother’s health and the baby’s development.

The research identified important differences between groups of women. Women who had completed university education had better diet quality than those without university education. Women with higher pre-pregnancy weight tended to have lower diet quality. After the baby was born, younger women and those with lower income also showed poorer diet quality. These patterns suggest that nutrition challenges during this life stage are not evenly distributed—some women face bigger obstacles to healthy eating than others.

Previous research has shown that many pregnant women don’t meet nutrition recommendations, and this study confirms that pattern continues after birth. The finding that social factors like education and income affect diet quality aligns with other studies showing that nutrition is not just about individual choices but is influenced by resources and access. However, this study is one of the first to carefully track the same Australian women through both pregnancy and the postpartum year, providing new insights into how eating patterns shift during this specific period.

This study only included Australian women, so the findings may not apply to women in other countries with different food systems, cultures, or healthcare systems. The study relied on women remembering what they ate, which can be inaccurate. The researchers couldn’t prove that education or income directly caused poorer diet quality—only that these factors were associated with it. The study didn’t include information about why women made certain food choices or what barriers they faced, so we don’t know the reasons behind the patterns observed. Additionally, about 49% of participants were Australian-born and 51% had university education, which may not represent all Australian women.

The Bottom Line

If you’re pregnant or recently postpartum, aim to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products to meet recommended amounts. Pay special attention to foods rich in folate (leafy greens, legumes) and iodine (dairy, eggs, seafood). If you have limited resources or feel uncertain about nutrition, seek help from a dietitian or your healthcare provider—this support can make a real difference. These recommendations are appropriate for most pregnant and postpartum women, though individual needs vary.

This research is most relevant to pregnant women and women in their first year after giving birth. It’s particularly important for younger women, those with lower education levels, those with lower income, and women who had higher weight before pregnancy—these groups showed the poorest diet quality in the study. Healthcare providers, midwives, and dietitians should use these findings to identify women who need extra nutrition support. Policymakers should consider these findings when designing nutrition programs for mothers.

Improving diet quality takes time. You might notice increased energy and better recovery within a few weeks of eating more nutritious foods. However, meaningful changes in how you feel and your long-term health outcomes typically take several months to become apparent. If you’re breastfeeding, better nutrition can improve milk quality relatively quickly. The most important thing is making gradual, sustainable changes rather than expecting overnight transformation.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and protein-rich foods against recommended amounts. For example, set a goal to eat 2 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables daily, and log what you actually eat. This creates a clear visual of where you’re meeting recommendations and where you’re falling short.
  • Use the app to set one specific, achievable nutrition goal each week—such as ‘add one extra vegetable serving daily’ or ‘include dairy at two meals.’ Start with one goal rather than trying to overhaul your entire diet. Once that becomes a habit, add another goal. This gradual approach is more sustainable than dramatic changes.
  • Check your nutrition tracking weekly to identify patterns. Notice which nutrients or food groups you consistently miss, and brainstorm simple solutions (like keeping pre-cut vegetables available or adding cheese to meals for dairy). Re-assess your diet quality monthly using the app’s scoring feature. If you’re struggling, use the app’s resource feature to find local dietitian support or nutrition education programs.

This research describes patterns in how Australian women ate during pregnancy and after birth, but it does not provide personalized medical advice. Individual nutritional needs vary based on age, health conditions, breastfeeding status, and other factors. If you are pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding, consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian for personalized nutrition guidance. This study shows associations between factors like education and diet quality but does not prove that one causes the other. Always discuss significant dietary changes with your healthcare team, especially during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.