Generation Health is Generational Wealth: The Power Nutrition in the First 1000 Days

Written By Kristen Fitzell

When we think of our health, we often look at our habits in present tense- what we eat, how active we are, how much sleep we get, what our stress levels are like. But what if we told you that the foundations of your health started evolving prior to you being conceived, and continued into pregnancy, infancy, and toddlerhood.

This period is now widely recognised as a once-in-a-lifetime window to shape not only a child’s future health, but potentially their children too. How? Through epigenetics - a fascinating area of science that shows us how our environment, especially nutrition, can influence how genes are expressed.

Let me break it down.

What is Epigenetics?

Epigenetics doesn’t change our DNA, the code remains the same. Instead, it influences whether our genes are switched on or off. Think of your DNA as a cookbook. Everyone has the same basic ingredients and recipes (our genes), but how those recipes turn out depends on the chef and the environment they’re cooking in.

The epigenome is the chef in the kitchen. It decides:

  • Which recipes to follow

  • Which ingredients to use, leave out or double

  • Whether to cook something low and slow or hot and fast

Nutrition acts like the ingredients and kitchen conditions; fresh produce, healthy oils, quality ingredients, a clean bench, optimal temperature, all of which influence how the final dish turns out.

Even if two chefs start with the same recipe, from the same cookbook, their meals can taste completely different depending on their choices.

And here’s the powerful part, the chef doesn’t just create a great meal today. They’re influencing how the recipes are handed down to the next generation of chefs.

Why the First 1000 Days Matter So Much

The first 1,000 days typically refers to the time from conception through pregnancy, infancy, and up to a child’s second birthday. However, emerging research also highlights the 3-6 months prior to conception as crucial for egg and sperm health. Right up to 3 years of age when a child’s organs, brain, immune system, and metabolism are rapidly developing - and so is their epigenome.

This means that the nutrients a baby receives (starting even before conception) can affect how their genes are expressed, not just in childhood, but throughout life.

Epigenetic changes in the first 1000 days have been associated with a range of outcomes later in life, including:

  • Risk of developing obesity or type 2 diabetes

  • Increased or reduced likelihood of asthma and allergies

  • Cognitive development and mental health resilience

  • Even a child’s response to stress

While no parent can control every variable, offering a nutrient-rich, varied, and balanced diet during these foundational years gives your child the best chance at a healthy start.

Food for Thought

Epigenetics shows us that food is more than fuel, it’s information. It tells our genes how to behave and helps shape the foundation for a lifetime of health.

Whether you’re thinking about starting a family, currently pregnant, or navigating the early years with a little one, every meal is an opportunity to support not just your child’s growth, but their future potential.

Small changes can make a big difference. And in the first 1000 days, they may just last a lifetime. So book in for a Nutrition Consult today!

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Kristen Fitzell