Healthy Diet during Pregnancy with Potatoes

Nutrition is crucial to every pregnant mom. Now that she needs to feed her child inside her womb, she needs to ensure what she eats is right and healthy. The fetuses' nutrition depends solely on the mom's food intake that is why all pregnant women need to take into consideration their diet.

Here in the Philippines, pregnancy diet isn't taken much into consideration due to many factors. If a pregnant mommy eats three times a day and snacks in between, they would think it is already good enough to satisfy the hunger and the cravings. But in order to know that pregnant moms are receiving the proper nutrients for both mom and fetus, there is a need to check the food intake and follow appropriate servings.

When I was pregnant with my three children, I had two cases of pre-eclampsia or hypertension during pregnancy and postpartum pregnancy. This is an unknown cause but definitely a serious matter everyone needs to look into because it could risk both the mother and fetus. The only way I know how to regulate my blood pressure was to take medicine and modify my diet. Again, even if I am a nurse, I had no idea the proper meal plan for pregnant women since it's never my forte.

There is one food that we always use in our kitchen but is safe for pregnant moms too. Did you know that pregnant women can have potatoes? Contrary to what people say that potatoes are bad for pregnant women due to high carbohydrate content which may cause diabetes, it has a lot of benefits. Provided, there should be proper amount intake and appropriate food preparation.

Here are the benefits that you can get from eating potatoes:

1. Good source of Vitamin C

2. Good source of Potassium which is good for the heart and prevents muscle cramps on pregnant women too.

3. It has high amounts of Iron, Calcium, and Potassium which is needed for fetal development.

4. It has flavonoids which help control blood pressure in pregnant women.

5. Rich in dietary fiber which helps prevents constipation for pregnant women.

Sharing with you here a recipe you can do with potatoes.

Quick Potato Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 cups stock or reduced-sodium broth*
• 1 1/4 lbs. white potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-size cubes
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 small carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup fat-free half and half or milk
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme or Italian seasoning*
• Sea salt or garlic salt to taste
• Sea salt or garlic salt to taste Freshly ground pepper to taste

Preparation:

1.    Bring broth to a boil in a large saucepan.

2.    Chop vegetables while broth is heating, then add to saucepan.

3.    Return to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.

4.  Let cool slightly, then puree until smooth, or until soup is desired consistency.

5.    Stir in remaining ingredients and cook for 5 minutes more.

Potatoes USA, an organization that has thankfully brought US frozen, US tablestock (fresh) and US dehydrated potatoes to our shores, offers a lot of options for potato meals. High quality US potatoes can be purchased from major supermarkets and groceries nationwide. For more information on US potatoes, you may visit www.potatogoodness.com or like and follow Potatoes USA-Philippines on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotatoesUSAPhilippines.

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