Amira is a 25-year-old breastfeeding mom who is trying to lose weight. Her OB/GYN has suggested that she should go on a very low-fat diet (≤15% of calories) to lose weight. How will her dietary changes and weight loss affect the fat composition of her breast milk?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Very low-fat diets often encourage the consumption of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA). MCFA are more easily metabolized for energy and are less likely to be stored as body fat. Studies have shown that when mothers consume more MCFA, their breast milk contains higher levels of MCFA as well. Therefore, Amira's breast milk may contain more medium-chain fatty acids due to her very low-fat diet.

Amira Is a 25-Year-Old Breastfeeding Mom Who Is Trying to Lose