Is it Safe to Eat Potato during Pregnancy?

Potato is a very common food and is added to vegetables almost every day. Every pregnancy is unique and so adding anything different to your diet should be done only after consulting your doctor. Find out if potatoes are good for your health and development of your foetus.Pregnancy is a phase when you have to exert extreme caution towards your diet as anything you eat will affect your baby. If you are debating whether or not to eat potatoes during pregnancy then the guide given below will help you out. In this articleCan I eat Potato during Pregnancy?Harmful Effects of Eating Potatoes during PregnancyBenefits of Eating Potatoes during PregnancyHigh in Dietary FibreRich in Vitamin B6 GroupRich in Vitamin CGood Source of FolateHigh in CarbohydratesIs it Healthy to Eat Potatoes during Pregnancy?Is it Safe to Eat Potatoes during Pregnancy?Can I eat Potato during Pregnancy?Each pregnancy is unique so must consult your doctor before including anything in your diet. Consuming a healthy meal is critical for everybody but when you are pregnant watching what you eat becomes crucial. The body automatically needs more nutrients to fulfil its requirements during pregnancy.Whatever you eat during pregnancy will have a direct effect on the health of your baby as well and this is why it is safer to avoid certain food groups during pregnancy. But potatoes are not on the list of avoidable food during pregnancy and in fact are highly recommended by many nutritionists.Harmful Effects of Eating Potatoes during PregnancyPotatoes when they rotten can contain a chemical in them called Solanin. In fact potato shoots also contain dangerous levels of Solanin. Ordinarily Solanin is harmful for the body as it can catalyse haemolysis. However, in pregnancy Solanin is absolutely deadly. In extreme cases consumption of rotten potatoes can cause nervous centralis failure. Therefore it is extremely important to ensure that the potatoes you consume must be fresh and properly cooked.Benefits of Eating Potatoes during PregnancyPotatoes are a type of starchy carbohydrate and this is why many people often assume that they are high in calories and can make them fat. This is why potatoes are on the “avoid” list for many women. However, potatoes have low amount of fat and an optimal amount of carbohydrates in them. This actually makes them a healthy food option. During pregnancy the body needs nutrient rich food as well as increased calorific requirements and potatoes can help in fulfilling the requirements in both aspects if consumed in moderate quantity.High in Dietary FibreThere is a high presence of dietary fibre in potatoes and this makes them highly suitable for pregnant women as fibre helps in relieving constipation. You can abate your pregnancy related digestive problem with moderate consumption of potatoes.Rich in Vitamin B6 GroupPotatoes are rich in Vitamin B-6 group and vitamin B6 complex is essential in aiding the healthy foetal development process. This humble vegetable is rich in phyto-nutrients which can protect the body against anti oxidants.Rich in Vitamin CPotatoes are rich in Vitamin C which is a highly sought after dietary ingredient in any pregnancy meal plan. Vitamin C helps in soothing respiratory issues, revitalizing skin and in the optimum development of foetal organs.Good Source of FolateFolate is another important ingredient found in potatoes which is of specific importance in the pregnancy meal plan. Folate or folic acid helps in reducing the risk of development of spine and brain deformities in the foetus. It is scientifically proved that taking sufficient amount of Folate can actually aid in protection against Down’s syndrome which is an irreversible and incurable genetic condition.High in CarbohydratesThe main source of nutrition of your unborn baby is carbohydrates and potatoes are a super rich source of carbohydrates. According to Swiss Association of Nutrition 3-4 carbohydrate portions should be consumed during pregnancy. Potatoes especially organically grown potatoes are a good alternative to rice and cereal when it comes to fulfilling the dietary requirements.Is it Healthy to Eat Potatoes during Pregnancy?Potatoes are a healthy food option during pregnancy as long as they are consumed in moderate quantities. Fried and cheese loaded potatoes should not be consumed in high quantities even when you are eating for two as they lead to heavy weight gain which cannot be shaken off easily later. Steamed and baked potatoes are healthier options. Consult with your nutritionist to devise an appropriate meal plan which contains an optimum amount of potatoes.Is it Safe to Eat Potatoes during Pregnancy?Whether or not potatoes will be safe for your pregnancy meal plan will entirely depend upon the method you employ for cooking them and the precautionary measures you take. Make sure that the potatoes you consume are fresh, free from black spots and shoots, are scrupulously washed and are cooked well in order to mitigate any danger. Buying your potatoes from a safe organic store is always a good option.This is how you can ensure that the potatoes are safe for consumption. However, seeking doctor’s advice is also very important as each pregnancy is different.Is it healthy to eat potato during pregnancy? Is it harmful to eat potato during pregnancy? What are the benefits of eating potato during pregnancy? Discuss here.