What if I told you that “butter does a baby good?” Some of the most quality fats – specifically, saturated fats – have become demonized over the past 40-ish years, which includes butter, egg yolks and other animal fats. However, we need these fats for ourselves and our growing babe!
Real, Nourishing Fats through Ancestral Wisdom
The uncovering of ancestral wisdom through Dr. Weston A. Price’s work has shown us that indigenous cultures relied on – and thrived on – the nutrient density that comes with saturated animal fats. Fast forward many years later and the lipid-heart hypothesis, a paper that came out in the 1960’s concluding an association between saturated fats and high cholesterol/heart disease, paved the way for our current government advice to avoid these fats. There may be various reasons for such a conclusion to have become very mainstream, including a push for certain industries to promote their “healthier” products, but this hypothesis also lacks real scientific basis.
My Fat Journey to Health
After steering clear of most animal fats and even animal foods, to an extent, throughout my twenties, I started much more actively consuming butter throughout the past year. While doing so, I have also payed attention to my digestion, specifically adequate and healthy bile flow as it is necessary for the initial breakdown of fat in the intestine. Although I am not quite able to digest whole cows milk (including raw milk, a form much more nutrient dense and easy for the body to digest and absorb), I am enjoying goat-milk kefir, goat cheese, egg yolks and a variety of other animal meats regularly. Together with supplements, I have felt energetic and mentally sound – even well into my pregnancy!
Rewind to February of 2018, about a month before I became pregnant. I decided to center my thesis paper around the importance of Vitamin A – a fat-soluble nutrient – and its connection to fetal development. Not only did my reserach uncover the importance of eating true retinol found in animal fats, but why and how plant carotenoid sources are harder to digest, assimilate, and convert into an active form of retinol. I also talked about synthetic sources fortified into cereals and margarine, as well as those in many supplements.
PLEASE download my informative vitamin A/fetal development handout I made.
It sums up my thesis paper in two pages!
Vitamin A Handout_Lauren McConnell
Why and What Animal Fats are better for You and Fetus
Fats like butter, lard, and tallow contain the fat-soluble vitamins A and D. Together with Vitamin K2, they act as “fat-soluble activators” and are NEEDED in the absorption and utilization of MINERALS into the body. Without fat – and the presence of these vitamins within – our bodies can become subsequently deficient in vital minerals like magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. These minerals work synergistically with Vitamins A, D and K2, are are important for building bone within ourselves AND our growing fetus. Butter is a wonderfully tasting and easily accessible whole food rich in Vitamin A, D and omega-3 fatty acids. Quality nutrition can even protect your baby from heart disease, stroke, memory loss and diabetes later in life! Dr. Weston A. Price mentioned that indigenous cultures relied on these fats for “total health and happiness.” Each culture Dr. Price visited contained one or more nutrient-dense, high quality foods like fatty fish, organ meats and raw dairy as a staple. If you want to mimic the wisdom that sustained total health and happiness in these societies, start consuming the following foods – especially while pregnant!
- Fatty fish like wild salmon and shrimp
- Organ meats like liver
- Raw/pastured dairy like butter and/or milk, etc.
- Cod liver oil
Additionally, ancient cultures prized these fats and special preconception foods before marriage. The Massai were only allowed to marry after the couple consumed milk from cows grazing on rapidly growing spring grass. Here, the nutrient density would soak. Interestingly, their milk is actually higher in fat and cholesterol and lower in sugar than American milk!
Butter Does a Baby Good
So yes, butter really does a baby good – especially raw butter or at least butter from a pasture-raised source. Heck, even conventional butter is better than nothing! All in all, DO NOT FEAR FATS. Rather, indulge in quality fats for your baby’s brain, bones and overall growth and steer clear of hydrogenated and refined oils like vegetable and canola, as well as trans fats. Most of these are found in processed foods to extend shelf life, but other oils in the baking aisle are rancid before they hit our cart!
Okay – that’s all for now! Cheers to continued health and wellness,
If you would like a copy of my final, 35 page thesis paper (which includes many cited studies, sources and papers), please email lauren@aliveinsideout.com and I’d be happy to send it over!
Lauren is a Master Nutrition Therapist (MNT) with a passion for health, wellness and real, whole foods. Join in on one of her life-changing RESTART® classes! In the meantime, get to know a little bit about her
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