By: Krista Maas de Villiers, BSC Dietetics
When you’re pregnant—or even thinking about it—you’re told to eat well and take your prenatal. But what if we told you that what you eat now doesn’t just affect your baby today—it shapes their entire future?
Welcome to the world of nutritional programming: the science-backed concept that what you eat during pregnancy and postpartum helps determine your baby’s long-term health, metabolism, immune system, and even cognitive outcomes.
And it all starts with what experts call the first 1,000 days.
What Is Nutritional Programming?
Nutritional programming refers to how early-life nutrition can “program” long-term health outcomes by influencing how genes are expressed—not which genes you have, but how they function.
This is made possible by a process called epigenetics, which allows nutrition, stress, inflammation, and other environmental inputs to turn genes on or off during critical windows of development¹.
When it comes to health, prevention doesn’t start at birth—it starts at conception.
Why the First 1,000 Days Matter
The first 1,000 days—from conception to age 2—are considered the most critical time for human development. According to the WHO and UNICEF, this window offers a unique opportunity to build the foundation for lifelong health².
During this time, key systems develop:
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Brain and nervous system
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Immune programming
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Gut microbiome and digestion
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Hormonal balance and metabolism
Inadequate nutrition—especially of key micronutrients—can increase the risk of future conditions like:
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Obesity and type 2 diabetes
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Cardiovascular disease
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Allergies and asthma
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Cognitive delays and mood disorders³
That’s why what you eat doesn’t just matter—it matters now more than ever.
The Role of Maternal Nutrition
You are your baby’s only source of nutrition for 9+ months—and if you breastfeed, even longer.
Every cell they build comes from your nutrient stores, your bloodstream, your milk.
That means your diet is their development.
Key nutrients that support optimal programming include:
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Choline – for brain development and memory formation⁴
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Folate and B12 – for neural tube development and DNA methylation⁵
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Vitamin D – for immune function and bone growth⁶
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Magnesium – for nervous system development and stress regulation⁷
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Iron and zinc – for oxygen delivery, cognition, and immune support⁸
The problem? Even with supplementation, most pregnant women in the U.S. fall short on several of these nutrients⁹.
Most Supplements Miss the Mark
While prenatal pills have become the default recommendation, they’re not always the best solution.
Here’s why most synthetic prenatals fall short:
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Poor absorption: Isolated, synthetic nutrients are harder to absorb—especially without the fat and fiber needed to transport them effectively
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No calories, no energy: Pregnancy and postpartum are calorically demanding. Pills don’t support blood sugar, energy, or recovery
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Harsh on digestion: Many prenatal pills cause nausea, constipation, or stomach discomfort due to high doses and chemical forms
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Over-processed and petroleum-based: Many synthetic nutrients are made from coal tar, acetone, or industrial solvents—not real food¹⁰
Real Food. Real Impact.
At Nunona, we designed our bites to meet the needs of the entire 1,000-day journey—not just pregnancy.
Each bite is packed with:
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Choline from organic sunflower seeds
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Folate and B vitamins from organic spinach and organic chlorella
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Magnesium from organic dates and organic oats
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Iron from organic spinach
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Protein, fiber, and healthy fats to aid absorption and stabilize blood sugar
Plus, they’re made from 100% real, organic foods—not synthetic isolates.
Unlike a pill, Nunona delivers:
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Bioavailable nutrients your body can actually use
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Macros with micros to help balance hormones and prevent gestational diabetes
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Energy and satiety—so you feel nourished, not depleted
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Support for postpartum recovery and milk quality
And with 7 flavors, you’ll never hit flavor fatigue.
The Takeaway: You’re Not Just Eating for Two—You’re Programming for Life
The choices you make during pregnancy and postpartum don’t just support your baby’s growth now.
They influence how your child’s body and brain function for years to come.
That’s the power—and responsibility—of nutritional programming.
Nunona makes it easier to nourish yourself and your future, every single day.
Because the future is fed today.
And it starts with you.
References
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Waterland RA, Michels KB. Epigenetic epidemiology of the developmental origins hypothesis. Annu Rev Nutr. 2007;27:363–388.
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World Health Organization. Nurturing care for early childhood development. Geneva: WHO; 2018.
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Black RE, et al. Maternal and child undernutrition and overweight in low-income and middle-income countries. Lancet. 2013;382(9890):427–451.
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Caudill MA. Pre- and postnatal health: evidence of increased choline needs. J Am Diet Assoc. 2010;110(8):1198–1206.
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Green TJ, et al. Folate and vitamin B12 and their function in the nervous system. Nutr Rev. 2008;66(6): 256–263.
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Hollis BW, Wagner CL. Vitamin D and pregnancy: skeletal effects, nonskeletal effects, and birth outcomes. Calcif Tissue Int. 2013;92(2):128–139.
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Rosanoff A. Magnesium supplementation in pregnancy. Magnes Res. 2010;23(3):S93–S98.
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Prado EL, Dewey KG. Nutrition and brain development in early life. Nutr Rev. 2014;72(4):267–284.
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Bailey RL, et al. Estimation of total usual dietary intakes of pregnant women in the United States. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(6):e195967.
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Nunona internal data. Synthetic vs. food-based vitamin source table, 2024.
