The Science of Pregnancy Nutrition (What Most Doctors Don't Tell You) with Jessie Inchauspé - Almost 30 Recap

Podcast: Almost 30

Published: 2026-03-19

Duration: 4546

Guests: Jessie Inchauspé

What Happened

Jessie Inchauspé, known as the 'Glucose Goddess,' shares the story of her silent miscarriage and the emotional complexities that followed. She describes the grief of loss and the anxiety she felt during her subsequent pregnancy, highlighting the coexistence of hope and fear.

Inchauspé reveals that 90% of pregnant women are deficient in choline, a nutrient crucial for brain development. She discusses how choline deficiencies during pregnancy can lead to lifelong brain deficits in children and suggests eating four eggs a day to meet the requirement, as the yolk is a primary source.

The episode details how high maternal glucose levels can influence a baby's future metabolic health, potentially increasing the risk of diabetes and higher fat mass. Inchauspé stresses the importance of glucose balance and the need for early monitoring of fasting glucose and insulin during pregnancy.

Protein and omega-3s are identified as key nutritional pillars for pregnancy. Inchauspé points out that 75% of mothers do not consume enough protein, which can affect both the mother's and baby's muscle mass, and that omega-3 intake is crucial for fetal brain development, with recommended doses leading to higher average IQs in children.

Jessie underscores the myth of 'eating for two' and clarifies that while caloric intake should increase, it's essential the diet is nutrient-rich. She explains the role of epigenetics in prenatal nutrition, demonstrating how a mother's diet can have long-term impacts on a child's developmental health.

Exercise during pregnancy is discussed as beneficial for reducing anxiety symptoms in offspring, due to increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Moreover, Jessie provides insights into natural birth preparation and the potential effects of feeling supported during labor on reducing its duration and the likelihood of a C-section.

Key Insights