Learn about the whole food approach to preparing your body for motherhood (and fatherhood). Chef Dr. Mike answers your questions about when to take prenatal vitamins, foods to support fertility, and the crucial window where what you eat will affect your child’s health for years to come. 

Michael S. Fenster, MD, better known as Chef Dr. Mike, is one of a handful of physicians worldwide to hold both culinary and medical degrees and is the only Interventional Cardiologist, and Professional Chef to do so. Through his Culinary Medicine program at the University of Montana, speaking events, articles, books, personal outreach, and media appearances, Chef Dr. Mike has become the voice of Culinary Medicine. His message empowers people to take control of their health, wellness, and happiness through a positive relationship with food.

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Links:

• NOVA classification episode
• NOVA food groups cheat sheet
• Dutch famine study
• Big Tobacco & ultra-processed foods: Daily Mail / USA Today
  
  

Breastfeeding & heart health sources:

• American Heart Association: https://newsroom.heart.org/news/even-a-little-breastfeeding-goes-a-long-way-in-protecting-heart-health-of-baby-and-mom
• AHA Scientific Position: Start in Infancy. Breast-feeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for about the first 4–6 months after birth. Try to maintain breast-feeding for 12 months. Transition to other sources of nutrients should begin at about 4–6 months of age to ensure sufficient micronutrients in the diet.
• Scientific studies:
  • Parikh et al, 2010. Breastfeeding in infancy and adult cardiovascular disease risk factors 
  • Tschiderer et al, 2022. Breastfeeding Is Associated With a Reduced Maternal Cardiovascular Risk
    
  •  Miliku et al, 2021. Breastfeeding in the First Days of Life Is Associated With Lower Blood Pressure at 3 Years of Age

Connect with Chef Dr. Mike
Website: https://chefdrmike.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realchefdrmike/
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ77UNYMvQKOqClng6REJOQ

Connect with Jane Z. on Instagram at @farm.to.future