Why Pregnant Moms Should Eat More Potatoes

During pregnancy, and most especially during the first trimester, eating right is a must. What goes into your mouth affects your baby’s health as well as your own. Whether it’s the first child, the second or more, a mother’s lifestyle and dietary choices will have a great impact on the health and wellness of her baby.

With the modern day people’s lifestyle, diet and other distractions, most women go with just a little over a cup of veggies a day. Which is hardly ideal if you have a little one on the way. This generally means you’re missing out on important nutrients like potassium, which can help you avoid horrible leg cramps in the middle of the night.

While pregnant, you will have to avoid certain foods. Bawal ‘to, bawal ‘yan. But thank goodness, potatoes are not one of them! Oh, I looove potatoes!

You may think of bananas when you hear about the need for potassium. They are unquestionably good, but the best source of potassium is the potato.

Yes! Moms-to-be can get nutrition boost from potatoes!

Potatoes rank highest in potassium content among the top 20 most frequently consumed vegetables! I listed down some of the known reasons why I ate lots of potatoes while I was pregnant.

• Potatoes have no fat, sodium or cholesterol.
• Potatoes got loads of vitamin C and B-6.
• Potatoes are loaded with iron and fiber which help in digestion and lowering blood cholesterol.
• Potatoes are high in folate which is important in pregnancy for normal fetal brain and spinal cord development.
• Potatoes make you feel fuller faster!
• Potatoes are a convenient and delicious way to answer those cravings.

A serving of mashed potatoes can help reduce gastric acidity, too. Remember though, that pregnancy nutrition is a careful practice. Eating right, especially during pregnancy, entails not just consuming the right foods, but the right amounts prepared the right way. And like any food, over-consumption can lead to potential health issues.

Try the potato baked, with less cheese and toppings than you’d usually add, or steamed. Make potato dishes in combination with other vegetables and meat, or as a soup or stew. Mashed potatoes with some vegetables and spices is always my favorite! Also try steaming or baking your potatoes and flavoring them with herbs instead of oil, butter or cheese.

Click here for the recipe!

The growing baby in your tummy will gain energy in your womb through glucose. This may explain why your blood sugar levels may drop and cravings for starchy food begin.

dyosathemomma: potatoes during pregnancy, Potatoes USA, AmNiszhaGirl

dyosathemomma: potatoes during pregnancy, Potatoes USA, AmNiszhaGirl

My little food buddy! Always game to come along and eat whatever the preggy momma is craving for! 😀

Potatoes are a rich source of vitamins and nutrients for an expectant mother and for a woman who hopes to be pregnant in the future. I recommend you plan your best pregnancy diet with your doctor or nutritionist. Remember to increase your veggie intake in general, and take a good long look at how potatoes can help your nutritional needs. Click here to read more about Eating Potatoes As Part Of A Healthy Diet Can Support Nutrition Needs During Pregnancy.

There’s this organization called Potatoes USA who has thankfully brought US frozen, US tablestock (fresh) and US dehydrated potatoes to our shores! They offer a lot of options for potato meals. Just click on http://www.potatogoodness.com/potato-recipes for an amazingly wide array of potato recipe options.

High quality US potatoes can be purchased from major supermarkets and groceries nationwide! For more information on US potatoes, you may visit http://www.potatogoodness.com or like and follow Potatoes USA-Philippines on Facebook.

Let’s stay healthy, eat healthy and live healthy most especially while we are pregnant!

Love,

Momma Nish