UC Davis Nutrition

09/03/2026

What happens after pregnancy matters.

A new commentary by Dr. Amy R. Nichols and her colleague at Harvard Medical School highlights why the postpartum period is one of the most important, but often overlooked, times for protecting a woman's long-term health.

Research shows that postpartum weight retention isn't just a short-term concern. It may increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, and even early mortality years later—even for women who began pregnancy with a healthy weight.

The months after delivery are an opportunity to support women with:
🥗 Healthy nutrition
❤️ Mental health care
🏃 Lifestyle support
🩺 Long-term preventive care

Learn more: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oby.70243

Image description: A woman is seated and has her eyes closed as she holds a baby on her chest. Image text: Postpartum isn't just recovery—it's a chance to build a healthier future.

08/31/2026

Where Research Meets Practice

Every family deserves evidence-based nutrition care—and that starts with preparing the next generation of leaders.

The UC Davis Master of Advanced Study in Maternal and Child Nutrition (MCN) equips students with advanced training in maternal nutrition, lactation, infant nutrition, and child nutrition through a learner-centered curriculum taught by internationally recognized faculty. Students can also complete the lactation-specific education required to pursue the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) credential, with opportunities for clinical internship experience.

“What stood out to me was the opportunity to gain both specialized knowledge and hands-on clinical experience in maternal and infant nutrition. While my Ph.D. training gave me the skills to conduct research, the MCN program helped me understand how that knowledge is applied when working directly with families.” — Alana Chaney

Whether your goal is to work in public health, pediatric nutrition, lactation, or maternal and child health, the MCN program provides the knowledge and practical experience to make an impact.

Read Alana's story: https://nutrition.ucdavis.edu/news/research-clinical-care
Learn more about the program: https://nutrition.ucdavis.edu/academics/grad-programs/mcn

08/25/2026

UC Davis Nutrition at Nutrition 2026!

Our faculty, researchers and students brought the UC Davis Nutrition community to the national stage at Nutrition 2026, the American Society for Nutrition’s (ASN) annual meeting.

Read the full story and explore the research highlights from ASN 2026: https://nutrition.ucdavis.edu/news/uc-davis-nutrition-shines-asn-2026



Image description: A large group of UC Davis Nutrition faculty, researchers, and students stand together. Image text: UC Davis Nutrition shines at Nutrition 2026!

The UC Davis Department of Nutrition had a strong presence at Nutrition 2026, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN), held July 25–28 in National Harbor, Maryland.Throughout the conference, UC Davis faculty, researchers, and students presented findings across the nutrition ...

08/24/2026

When it comes to infant growth, faster is not necessarily better.

As babies begin eating foods in addition to breast milk or formula, the goal is to support steady, healthy growth. This matters because previous research has consistently linked rapid weight gain during infancy with a greater risk of overweight and obesity later in life.

In a new study, infants followed one of two nutritionally adequate complementary diets, both of which included fruits and vegetables and supported healthy growth. One was a Nordic-style diet with an adequate but lower amount of protein; the other followed conventional Swedish infant-feeding recommendations and provided more protein. The infants showed different metabolic profiles depending on the diet they consumed. Overall, greater protein intake over time was associated with higher body weight.

The takeaway is not that babies should be placed on a low-protein diet. Rather, complementary foods should provide an appropriate amount of protein as part of a varied, nutrient-rich diet that supports healthy growth without promoting unnecessarily rapid weight gain.

UC Davis
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis
Read the study here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000291652600047X?via%3Dihub



Image descriptions: 1. A baby takes a small piece of red food from an adult’s hand while sitting at a table. 2. Assorted fresh foods arranged on a table: blueberries, salmon fillet, spinach and other vegetables in small dishes. 3. Three open-faced sandwiches. 4. A caregiver feeding a baby in a high chair with a spoon. Image text: 1. The foods introduced during infancy do more than nourish – they also help shape metabolism. A recent study found that keeping protein intake appropriate, not excessive, during complementary feeding may help support healthy early growth and metabolism. 2. What is a Nordic-style complementary diet? A dietary pattern emphasizing fruits, berries, vegetables, root vegetables, whole grains, and fish. 3. The key principle isn’t eating Nordic foods-it’s offering a variety of nutrient-rich, locally relevant foods while providing an appropriate, not excessive, amount of protein. 4. What does this mean for parents? This study does not suggest restricting protein. Instead it reinforces the importance of providing an appropriate, rather than excessive, amount of protein as part of a balanced complementary-feeding pattern.

08/18/2026

As more families choose plant-based eating for health, environmental, or ethical reasons, an important question remains: How do these diets affect children's growth and development?

A new systematic review from researchers in the UC Davis Department of Nutrition examined 31 studies to better understand how plant-based diets affect children from infancy through age 11.

🔗 Link to the study: https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/advance-article/doi/10.1093/nutrit/nuag072/8692594?guestAccessKey=



Image description: 1. Lemon, cucumber, peppers, lettuce and radishes on a plate. 2. Rolled up wheat tortilla with a side of strawberries and blackberries. 3. Cooked mushroom, tomato and spring mixed lettuce on a blue plate. 4. Glass container filled with cooked sweet potato, broccoli, chicken breast and snap peas. 5. An arugula salad with red onion and diced sweet potato. Image text: Can kids thrive on plant-based diets? Well-planned plant-based diets can support healthy growth. During infancy and early childhood, highly restrictive diets without careful planning may increase the risk of deficiencies in nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin A, and the long chain omega 3 fatty acid, DHA. With thoughtful meal planning and appropriate supplementation when needed, many of these nutritional concerns can be addressed. The biggest takeaway? Plant-based diets aren't one-size-fits-all. Children's nutritional needs change as they grow, making individualized guidance especially important.

08/14/2026

Breastfeeding Resources Worth Saving 💙 https://nutrition.ucdavis.edu/lactation-resources

Whether you're just starting your breastfeeding journey or supporting others along the way, credible, evidence-based guidance makes a difference.



Image description: A woman holding a baby sitting among other women and children on the floor.
Image text: Breastfeeding questions? Whether you’re wondering how to pump efficiently, pumping schedules, or milk supply, the right guidance can make a world of difference.

08/13/2026

We are excited to celebrate Assistant Professor Benjamin Hurrell, who joined our department in 2025! Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition as an outstanding early-career faculty member. We're thrilled to have Benjamin as part of our community and look forward to seeing the impact of his research in the years ahead.

Congratulations, Benjamin! 👏

Read more: https://nutrition.ucdavis.edu/news/assistant-professor-benjamin-hurrell-awarded-early-career-faculty-honor-nutrition-and



UC Davis
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis

Image description: A man with wavy brown hair and glasses wearing a grey patterned sweater smiles at the camera. Image text: UC Davis Early Career Faculty Award for
Creativity and Innovation Benjamin Hurrell, Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Immunology

08/11/2026

Healthy pregnancies start with healthy nutrition.

A new study from researchers at the UC Davis Department of Nutrition, published in The Journal of Nutrition, examined more than 20 years of U.S. data to better understand cardiometabolic health during pregnancy.

Here's what they found:

📊 Nearly 52% of pregnant women entered pregnancy with overweight or obesity.
🩸 Nearly 3 in 10 had elevated fasting blood glucose.
❤️ Food insecurity was linked with lower levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol.
🥗 Better diet quality was associated with healthier HDL cholesterol levels.
📈 Food insecurity increased from 12% in 1999–2000 to 38% in 2021–2023.
🍽 WIC participation increased from 26% in 1999–2000 to 48% in 2021–2023.

These findings underscore how nutrition, food access, and social determinants of health can influence pregnancy health and why supporting families before and during pregnancy matters.

Congratulations to Hussain M. Chharawalla, and fellow researchers on their publication in The Journal of Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2026.101689



Image description: 1. A group of pregnant women sitting closely together smiling and talking. 2. A pregnant woman with an ultrasound device on her pregnant stomach 3. A woman's blood pressure is being taken by a nurse 4. A pregnant woman stands in the kitchen next to a cutting board with food. 5. A side profile of a pregnant woman with a curtain window in the background. Image text: A healthy pregnancy starts with healthy cardiometabolic health. More than 1 in 2 pregnant women entered pregnancy with overweight or obesity. Based on data from 1,538 pregnant women in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2023). Nearly 3 in 10 women had elevated blood glucose. About 1 in 10 women had elevated blood pressure or hypertension. Understanding these risks can help guide nutrition strategies and health programs that support families before, during, and after pregnancy. Nutrition is about more than what’s on the plate—it’s also about access. Researchers found that: Higher diet quality was associated with higher HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Food insecurity was associated with lower HDL cholesterol. Supporting healthy diets and food security may improve maternal health. UC Davis Nutrition is committed to research that informs healthier futures.

08/06/2026

Improving maternal nutrition starts with understanding what truly benefits infants.

A new study involving UC Davis Department of Nutrition and led by the University of Virginia examined whether nicotinamide (vitamin B3) supplementation during lactation could improve vitamin B3 levels in human milk and support infant growth and development in rural Tanzania.

The researchers found that supplementation substantially increased vitamin B3 concentrations in human milk. However, the higher levels were not associated with differences in infant growth or cognitive development through 18 months of age.

Research like this is essential for building the evidence behind maternal and child nutrition programs. By evaluating both nutrient status and health outcomes, scientists can better inform policies and interventions that improve health worldwide.

📖 Read the study: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2026.101397
To learn more about Dr. Hampel’s work, visit her lab website: https://milqlab.ucdavis.edu/



Image description: 1. A person with a baby on their back holds a woven tray outdoors. 2. A person carries a child on their back while standing in a dry, grassy field under a blue sky. 3. A person holds a baby close, with the baby looking directly at the camera with wide eyes.4. A person Image text: Breastfeeding a baby outside a rustic dwelling with a thatched roof, bathed in warm sunlight. Can increasing vitamin B3 in human milk improve infant growth and development? New research involving the UC Davis Department of Nutrition. What researchers found: Vitamin B3 supplementation increased vitamin B3 in human milk.
However, it was not associated with improved infant growth or cognitive development through 18 months. Nutrition interventions should be evaluated by both biological changes and health outcomes. This research helps strengthen the evidence for maternal and child nutrition programs worldwide.

08/03/2026

What if the way your body responds to dietary fats is completely unique?

Dr. Guodong Zhang is investigating how omega-3s, omega-6s, and the gut microbiome influence inflammation, colon cancer risk, and overall long-term health outcomes. His research is helping pave the way for the future of personalized nutrition and precision healthcare, where dietary recommendations could one day be tailored specifically to you. Even more surprising? One of his studies linked triclosan, a once-common toothpaste ingredient, to harmful effects on gut health and colon inflammation.

✨ Read about the discoveries shaping the future of nutrition science:https://nutrition.ucdavis.edu/news/omega-3s-gut-microbiome-research-dr-zhang

Learn more about the Zhang lab here: https://zhanglab.ucdavis.edu/



Image description: image description: A headshot of a person wearing glasses and a dark blue sweater over a light blue collared shirt. Image text:From Omega-3s to the Gut Microbiome: Research with Dr. Zhang. His Research Includes: How omega-3s and omega-6s affect the body differently. The role of the gut microbiome in metabolism. Genetic differences that may influence inflammation & disease risk. His lab explores how enzymes, gut microbes, and diet interact to impact inflammation, colon health, and long-term disease risk—with the long-term goal of advancing precision