Health: 5 Benefits Of Potatoes For Pregnant Women

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 health, food, pregnancy, healthy eating, women health, health tips, recipe

Pregnancy is one of the most amazing chapters in any woman’s life. The anticipation of finally seeing and holding your baby, along with experiencing the everyday wonders of carrying a child in your womb, is enough to make a woman giddy with excitement.

Although not without its complications, my own pregnancy journey is one for the books and I can easily say that it is one of the most amazing parts of my story yet. I may have suffered from a mild case of hyperemesis gravidarum during the first part of my second trimester and would just throw up practically anywhere and anytime, but my pregnancy has been very enjoyable when that part was over. I was able to enjoy eating again and share new and invigorating experiences with 10 friends who were also pregnant!

health, food, pregnancy, healthy eating, women health, health tips, recipe
The little man when he was just about 4 months in my tummy

Because I was throwing up a lot, nutrition is something I struggled with during pregnancy. It was such hard work to keep any food in my stomach as I would almost always throw everything out ~ milk, fruits, bread, practically anything ~ and it does not matter what time of day it was. Morning sickness is, in fact, an all-day sickness and it contributed to me weighing even lighter during the first few months of pregnancy.

Nutrition, indeed, plays an essential role in a pregnant woman’s over-all health as well as that of her baby. One of the best ways to ensure a mother’s optimal health during pregnancy is to have a proper and well-balanced diet. Adding potatoes to your pregnancy diet is highly recommended.

5 Benefits of Potatoes for Pregnant Women

  1. Rich Source of Energy ~ pregnancy requires a high level of energy from the mother and adding potatoes to her diet will give her enough of energy to sustain throughout her pregnancy. Potatoes are also rich in glucose, which is the main source of energy for the baby in her womb.
  2. High in Folate ~ or Vitamin B9 is essential in preventing brain {like anencephaly} and spine {like spina bifida} defects in developing babies in the womb. It will also aid in the baby’s healthy growth and development.
  3. Rich in Iron, Calcium, Potassium, and Flavonoids ~ these minerals are also essential in the development of the baby in the womb, while Flavonoids assists in controlling the blood pressure levels of pregnant women.
  4. Helps Keep Mum Full for longer periods of time ~ digesting potatoes may take time, thus allowing mum to feel full longer avoiding mindless or unnecessary eating or snacking and keeping mum’s weight in check.
  5. Versatile and easy to prepare ~ Mums can take advantage of the versatility of potatoes. It can be prepared in so many ways and enjoyed at any meal of the day.

Of course, as with any other food item, it pays to take potatoes in moderation during pregnancy. It is also advisable to limit fried or potato dishes with cheese while pregnant and opt for salads, soups, roasted/baked or mashed potatoes for an even healthier pregnancy.

Here is a simple potato recipe from Potatoes USA.

health, food, pregnancy, healthy eating, women health, health tips, recipe

Easy Southwest Potato Salad Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1½ lbs red potatoes, cubed
  • 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • ? cup thinly sliced red onion
  • ½ cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 3 Tablespoons lime juice
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil, plus more for sautéing vegetables
  • ¾ teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • ? teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 {15 oz} can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation 

Prep Time: 15min | Cook Time: 15min

  1. Place diced potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and simmer until tender, about 12-15 minutes. Rinse with cold water and drain. Set aside to cool.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium high heat, sauté the corn, red onion, bell pepper, jalapeño and garlic for about 5 minutes until veggies are softened and slightly charred.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder and cayenne pepper.
  4. Add the potatoes to a large bowl, along with the sautéed vegetables. Toss with the oil and lime juice mixture. Stir in the black beans, green onions and fresh cilantro until well combined. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

For a wide selection of potato recipes, do visit www.potatogoodness.com/potato-recipes. High-quality US potatoes are now available in leading local supermarkets and grocers nationwide. For more information, call the local Potatoes USA-Philippines office at +632.534.8534 and email them at info@synergyasia.biz. You may also visit the Potatoes USA website or follow Potatoes USA-Philippines on Facebook.


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38 Comments

  1. Well, I learnt something today! I had no idea that potatoes had such health benefits for pregnant women 🙂 I will definitely share this with some of my friends who are expecting.

    1. While doing my research for this article, I was also surprised to find out all about these benefits. I guess I should have eaten more potatoes while I was pregnant 🙂

  2. Huh, never knew Potato could be handy for pregnant women as well. And I thought I am crazy about almost eating anything related to Potatoes. I worked for Pregnancy App, wish I could stumble upon this article and share few tips from here. But this is seriously wonderful.

  3. I never knew that about potatoes and pregnant women. My wife and I are not planning to have any more children but I will be sure to share with others.

  4. Potatoes are a must in my fridge. There’s a lot of recipes to do with Potatoes. I like its versatility and how tasteful it can be. It’s great that it has a lot of benefits!

    XO
    Candace

  5. Oh my gosh! I was about to comment that I didn’t know you were pregnant. hahaha But yeah, we love potatoes and we eat a considerable amount at home. My eldest especially loves potato dishes.

  6. Both sweet and non-sweet potatoes are good for every one. It is healthy and good substitute for rice.
    BTW what’s the gender of your baby?

  7. At home it is proven the good benefits of eating potatoes. We eat them as substitute for rice, both sweet potatoes and non sweet potatoes. Good for the tummy!

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