Food and nutrient intake of lactating women, in France

Adequate nutrition during breastfeeding is an important factor to optimal health of women and their infant. As far as we can know, there has not been survey focused on Breastfeeding (Bf) women investigating their entire diet, and nutrient intakes as well as the adequacy of their food consumption to the PNNS guideline recommendations and of their nutrient intakes in relation to the French population reference intakes (PRIs). To evaluate the food and nutrient intakes of Bf women in France and to describe the compliance with the dietary and nutritional recommendations, a cross sectional survey was carried out in metropolitan France. Food intake was estimated through an online 7 day food diary. Two hundred and fifty Bf women were recruited from September 2014 and October 2014. Most of participants have filled the food dairy on 7 consecutive days (88%). The traditional French model characterized by a daily dietary routine of three main meals continues in the study population. The participants consume an average of 2056 +/- 51.6 g/d of food and beverages every day, half of which is in liquid form(1168.4 +/- 42.6mL/d). Mean water and total beverage intake were 617.6 +/- 36.5mL/d and 1168.4 +/- 42.6mL/d, respectively. A low proportion of participants met the French nutritional Guidelines (fruits and vegetables, dairy products, bread, cereals potatoes and legumes). Mean energy intake was 1669.2 +/- 32.8 kcal/d, with 80% below the French recommendation. Mean protein intake represents 16% of total energy without alcohol. Mean total lipids intake was 66.2 +/- 1.5 g/d, below the PRI. Almost all mothers had the essential fatty acids intakes below the recommendations. The study suggests that Bf women may be at risk of food and nutrient inadequacies.