PolyU research finds breastfeeding moms need more fruits and veggies

A study conducted by the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) of PolyU has revealed that only 4% of lactating women had dietary habits that met the recommendation from the Department of Health to consume at least two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables per day, or the recommended intake of vitamin A, according to the “Chinese Dietary Reference Intake” which was established by the Chinese Nutrition Society.

Prof. Wong Man-sau, Steering Committee Member of RiFood and Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology of PolyU said that apart from commonly known nutrients, breast milk also contains phytonutrients such as carotenoids and polyphenols. These phytonutrients are important in the physical development of infants. Lacking one or more nutrients may weaken the immune system of infants, and may also increase their risk of getting chronic diseases in the future.

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