steakIf you're pregnant and looking for an excuse to tear into a nice juicy steak, now is the time to go for the beef. A new study says doing so may just help you avoid a colicky infant down the line. Not to panic all you vegetarians out there, but it seems that women who have high levels of B12 (found in steak) are eight times less likely to have a fussy baby. Go meat!

Researchers say a lack of B12 in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy could affect the nerve cells' development, which elicits the crankiness. Those with the lowest levels of B12 had babies who cried an average of THREE HOURS A DAY! I would eat ANYTHING to avoid that.

Fortunately, steak isn't the only source of B12. The necessary nutrients are also found in chicken, in some dairy products, and in some fortified cereals (something at least for vegans). Unfortunately, some other good food sources of B12 -- liver, soft cheese, and shellfish -- are also potentially hazardous to pregnant women.

Researchers say while the study showed a definite link between the two, it's just the first study to show one and that women shouldn't change their diet because of it. They always say that, and I don't know about you, but if there's even the fraction of a hint of a chance that eating some more meat while I'm pregnant would help prevent colic *shudder* later, I'd be at my butcher counter STAT if I found out I was pregnant.

Plenty of pregnant women already give up their vegan or vegetarian ways once they're pregnant. Celebrities like Jennifer Connelly, Brooke Shields, and Tiffani Thiessen all admitted giving in to their cravings for the meat and poultry their bodies were craving. Our bodies are pretty smart, perhaps even about how to give us a little parenting help down the line.

Steak and cheese sandwich anyone?

Did you have a colicky baby, and if so, did you eat much meat during your first trimester? Would you change your diet to try to eliminate colic?


Image via basheertome/Flickr