(P14-025-23) Optimization of Pregnant Female Diets Can Reduce Cost While Improving Nutrient and Food Group Intakes

Objectives: To determine the lowest cost diet for the pregnant population while meeting nutrient and food group recommendations.

Methods: Data from pregnant and/or lactating females (N=1,631) who participated in NHANES 2001-2018 cycles were utilized in this study. In combination with food and nutrient data from What We Eat in America, linear programming was used to minimize the cost of diets that satisfy nutrient (calcium, choline, fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, protein, vitamins A, C, D, and E) and food group recommendations in the DGA 2020-2025 Healthy U.S. Diet. A 2000 kcal level was selected and WWEIA groups were utilized, however, alcoholic beverages, water, baby foods and formulas, other, and snack/meal bars were excluded from the optimization analysis. The maximum amount for any main group or sub-group allowed in the optimization diet was set at the 90^th percentile of current intakes of women of child-bearing age (14-45 y). Costs of food and beverages in the NHANES 2001-2004 were used and adjusted for inflation since that time using the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index.

Results: The current diet of those pregnant cost $5.31/day, whereas the optimized diet cost was $4.64/day, a 13% reduction. The optimized diet was composed of 21 commonly consumed food items with reasonable levels of consumption (increase/decrease amount in optimized diet and % change from current diet): milk (+1.11 cup eq, +98%), eggs and egg substitutes (+2.20 oz eq, +438%), fruit juices (+0.22 cup eq, +38%), nuts and seeds (+1.07 oz eq, +225%), organ meat (+0.47 oz eq, +1423%), fish (+1.02 oz eq, +214%), total vegetables (+1.10 cup eq, +71%), legumes (-0.02 cup eq, -20%) and total fruits (-0.35 cup eq, -23%) . The lowest cost diet did not have several food items typical in the American diet including beef, poultry, soft drinks, potatoes, cured meats, and pizza.

Conclusions: Modest increases in the consumption of milk, eggs, nuts, fish and total vegetables, can reduce the cost of diets for pregnant females while also increasing recommended nutrient and food group intakes in alignment with the 2020-2025 DGA.

Funding Sources: National Dairy Council