New Study Question Whether or not Potatoes are Harmful to Expectant Mothers

Recent studies have found that women who eat more potatoes just before they get pregnant have a higher risk for developing gestational diabetes once they become pregnant. Potatoes are known for being starchy. And as a carbohydrate, most people tend to eliminate them from their diets to save calories. The truth is, potatoes are low in fat and calories, and very rich in fiber and Vitamins B-6 and C. Packed with a powerful punch of folate, they seem like a proper food item during pregnancy because folates reduce brain and spine problems in your developing baby.

This is a bit contradictory, and probably a bit confusing, so let’s break it down. First, let’s talk about the study. It was conducted by the researchers from the National Institutes of Health’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Harvard University. When they analyzed data comprised of over 15,000 women from 1991 to 2001, the scientists found that during this ten-year period, out of 21,693 pregnancies, 854 of them developed gestational diabetes. These women in the study reportedly had no other issues prior to pregnancy.

But these findings also should be taken with a grain of salt. The study conducted lacked diversity as almost the entire group of participants were Caucasian. The details of their diets and diabetes were recorded by the participants themselves which means there’s a rather large margin for error. In short, what this means is that the results don’t prove a direct correlation between potato consumption by pregnant women and gestational diabetes.

What’s important to note here is that while potatoes are very healthy, they do contain natural sugars, like a lot of healthy foods. Eating a proper and balanced diet, plus drinking plenty of water will help to keep you balanced. You must eat for your good health as well as for the health of your baby. Enjoying potatoes in a healthy way is good. Eating them in the form of French fries 3 times a day is probably a really bad idea. Just like anything, moderation is the key.

The bottom line is this: what goes into your mouth affects your baby’s health as well as your own. You will have to avoid certain foods during pregnancy like sushi for example, but potatoes are not one of the foods you need to avoid. The best course of action is to watch what you’re eating most of the time. If you’re eating nutritious meals 9 out of 10 times, then when a craving for something sugary strikes, there’s no harm in indulging it. Being pregnant is a special time in your life, and while caring for your health is important, enjoying a nice treat during this time is essential too.

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