PeachLabUGA

🌎💚 World Mental Health Day | October 10

Mental health matters at every stage of life, including pregnancy and the postpartum period! 🤍
While welcoming a new baby can bring joy and excitement, it can also come with emotional, physical, and psychological challenges. Changes in hormones, sleep deprivation, and the demands of caring for a newborn can all influence maternal mental well-being.

Did you know? 💭 Approximately 1 in 8 women with a recent live birth report symptoms of postpartum depression, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and support during this period.

At PEACH Lab, we recognize that maternal health extends beyond physical well-being. Supporting mental health is an essential part of caring for mothers and their families. 💚 This World Mental Health Day, remember that asking for help is a sign of strength, and no mother should have to navigate postpartum mental health challenges alone.

Interested in our research? Click the link in our bio to learn more.

🍊✨ Fun Fact Friday! ✨🩸
Did you know that vitamin C can help your body absorb iron from plant-based foods?

Iron is especially important during pregnancy because your body needs more of it to support increased blood volume and your growing baby. 🤰❤️ Pairing non-heme iron (the type found in plant foods) with a source of vitamin C can help increase how much iron your body absorbs!

🥣 Try these easy pairings:
🍓 Fortified cereal + strawberries
🫘 Beans + bell peppers
🥬 Spinach + tomatoes
🥦 Lentils + broccoli

Small food pairings can make a difference in getting the most out of your nutrients!
Follow PEACH Lab for more Fun Fact Fridays about nutrition, pregnancy, and postpartum health! 🍑

Meet the team Monday! Today we highlight Jada, an undergraduate student majoring in Health Promotion, and one of our Undergraduate Research Assistants.

Nutrition

Happy first day of fall! 🍎🎃
While we’re waiting for the weather to actually start feeling like fall, we’re celebrating the new season with some of our favorite fall produce! 🍁
This fall, look for:

🎃 Pumpkin — rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A to support immune function and eye health.
❤️ Beets — provide folate, fiber, potassium, and naturally occurring nitrates.
🍎 Apples — a source of fiber, especially when enjoyed with the peel!
🍠 Sweet potatoes — packed with beta-carotene and also provide fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.
🌱 Okra — provides fiber, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin K.
🥒 Squash — depending on the variety, squash can provide fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and carotenoids.
🔴 Cranberries — provide vitamin C and plant compounds called polyphenols. Choose fresh or frozen cranberries when you want an option without added sugar.
🥬 Kale: A nutrient-dense leafy green packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber and antioxidants. Kale is an easy fall addition to soups, salads, pastas, or even baked into crispy kale chips.

🛒 Tips for shopping seasonally:
• Check your local farmers market to see what’s being harvested near you. The Athens Farmers Market sets up in Bishop Park every Saturday from 8:00am to 12:00pm and Wednesdays at Creature Comforts from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. It is also the perfect event for the whole family!
• Look for produce that feels firm and is free from major bruising, mold, or soft spots.
• Don’t forget frozen! Frozen fruits and vegetables can be nutritious, convenient options when fresh produce isn’t available.
• Plan meals around what’s in season! You may find better flavor, variety, and sometimes lower prices.
• Try something new! Seasonal shopping is a great opportunity to add more variety to your meals.

Which fall fruit or vegetable are you most excited to add to your plate? 🍂🍎

Interested in our research? Click the link below to learn more:

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC

Let’s talk FIBER!
Fiber might not be the first nutrient that comes to mind during postpartum recovery, but it can be especially helpful for supporting digestion and bowel regularity.

There are two main types:
💧 Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract. You can find it in foods like oats, beans, apples, chia seeds, and flaxseeds.
🌾 Insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve in water and helps add bulk to stool and keep things moving. Whole grains, nuts, leafy greens, and many vegetables are great sources.

Both types are important, so aim for a variety of fiber-rich foods throughout the day! And remember, when increasing fiber, increase it gradually and pair it with plenty of fluids. 💧

If you are interested in participating in our current study, click the link below:

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC

PostpartumHealth NutritionEducation

Who says a fun drink needs alcohol? Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or simply looking for a refreshing alcohol-free option, a homemade mocktail can make staying hydrated a little more exciting.
Try one of our Mommy Mocktails made with colorful fruits, refreshing herbs, sparkling water, and other simple ingredients. 🍓🍑🥒🍋

While these drinks can add variety to your day, remember that water should still be a go-to source of hydration. And if you’re breastfeeding, your fluid needs may be higher, keeping a drink nearby during feeds can be an easy reminder to sip throughout the day!

💬 Which Mommy Mocktail would you try first?

Interested in our research? Click the link in our bio to learn more!

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC

Back to school means back to packing lunches! A balanced lunch can help give growing kids the energy and nutrients they need to learn, play, and make it through a busy school day. ✏️📚

When building a lunchbox, try including a combination of:
🥚 Protein to support growth and satisfaction
🌾 Whole grains or other carbohydrate-rich foods for energy
🍓 Fruits and vegetables for fiber, vitamins, and minerals
🥛 Calcium-rich foods to support growing bones and teeth
💧 Water to help little learners stay hydrated

And remember, lunches don’t have to look perfect to provide good nutrition! Convenience, your family’s budget, your child’s preferences, and what they’ll realistically eat all matter, too. 💛 Here’s to a happy, healthy, and well-fueled school year from PEACH Lab! 🍑🎒

If you are interested in participating in our current study, click the link below:

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC

This past May, PEACH Lab undergraduate research assistant Olivia Luke had the opportunity to study food, nutrition, and health in Italy and Greece through a University of Georgia study abroad program. Throughout her travels, Olivia explored local markets, participated in local and traditional cooking classes, learned about traditional Mediterranean dietary patterns, visted the Food and Agriculture Museum and Network, and experienced firsthand how culture, food access, and lifestyle influence health across the lifespan. The experience reinforced an important concept that is central to nutrition research: healthy eating is shaped by more than individual food choices, it is also influenced by culture, environment, and community.

These insights directly connect to the work being done in the PEACH Lab. By studying maternal nutrition during the postpartum period, the PEACH Lab aims to better understand how nutritional status affects maternal and infant health while recognizing the diverse backgrounds and dietary patterns that families bring to the table.

Olivia’s study abroad experience provided a broader perspective on the many factors that influence nutrition and health, strengthening her passion for research and her commitment to improving maternal and child health through evidence-based science.

Interested in our research? Click the link below to learn more!

https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=DFDHM3PLHNA9AHJC

Connecting with the best in nutrition science at National Harbor, MD!

Our very own Dr. Dulce Minaya represented our PEACH Lab at the ASN Nutrition 2026 conference. At ASN26 an inspiring 4 days of catching up on the latest breakthroughs in nutrition.

Dr. Minaya’s favorite part was networking with other brilliant peers from across the field, and getting the chance to build new connections.

Research Nutrition WomensHealth