Are Potatoes Contraindicated During Pregnancy?
Potatoes are one of the contraindicated foods during pregnancy given the close relationship between their consumption and the onset of diabetes in pregnant women. If these tubers are consumed during pregnancy, the risks for women of developing diabetes increase.
A recent study published in the British Medical Journal identifies a close relationship between the consumption of potatoes before pregnancy and the increase in gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
According to the results of this study, women who regularly consume potatoes before becoming pregnant have a higher risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy.
The study by researchers at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Nacional Institute of Child Health and Human Development concluded that the consumption of potatoes – whether in the form of mashed, roasted, boiled, baked or fried – significantly increases the chances of developing diabetes. before and during pregnancy.
Reducing the amount of potatoes in pregnancy is not enough
Women who consume one potato (boiled or baked) or 237 milliliters of mashed potatoes or 113 grams of French fries per week are 20% more likely to develop diabetes. In the case of those who consume more than five servings a week of these quantities, the risk increases by 50%.
As you can see, the quantity and frequency of consumption of potatoes does not necessarily have to be very high to establish intake limits. Also, we talk about weekly intervals.
According to the researchers, the reason that potatoes can cause the development of diabetes in pregnant women is due to the fact that this food, which contains a large amount of starch, is absorbed by the body immediately after consumption.
After the potatoes are absorbed, the body releases large amounts of insulin thereby increasing the chances of developing diabetes.
Despite the fact that potatoes are rich in vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber and some phytochemical compounds, the study indicates that compared to other vegetables they have negative effects on glucose metabolism.
Replace potatoes with other foods
The study we have told you about has some relevance because it was carried out on 21,000 pregnant women of which 854 developed diabetes mellitus.
In assessing their diet – as well as other risk factors: family history, little physical activity, excessive body fat – it was established that women who consumed more potatoes (cooked in any way) increased their risk of developing diabetes.
Replacing potatoes before pregnancy with foods such as vegetables, legumes, or whole grains can minimize the risk of developing diabetes.
The UK National Health System (NHS) has recorded that 18% of pregnant British women developed diabetes during pregnancy. A condition that usually occurs after 28 weeks of pregnancy and disappears after delivery.
Those who regularly consumed a single serving of potatoes a week had a 21% risk of developing diabetes mellitus. While women who ate potatoes two or four times a week had a 34% chance.
For their part, women who ate more than five meals accompanied by potatoes in a week had a 62% risk of developing diabetes.
Conclusions
According to this study, women who are pregnant or planning to be pregnant need to reduce their consumption of potatoes, especially French fries. If they have to consume them, it is preferable that they eat them roasted or boiled. In addition, it has been found that sweet potatoes are better consumed than other types.
Furthermore, it would be more appropriate to replace its consumption with other vegetables that bring greater benefits to the health of mothers and the baby. Of course, you don’t have to totally eliminate its consumption due to a single study. You have to compare it with other research and always consult with your doctor.
