Pregnant women are warned of eating too much potatoes while they are conceiving a child. A recent study revealed that this will lead to a higher risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy.
DNA India said this type of diabetes is called gestational diabetes which can have adverse effects on both the mother and her child. It explained that though potatoes are rich in potassium and Vitamin C, they also have extra starch which contributes to increased blood sugar levels.
According to Telegraph, gestational diabetes can cause an increased amount of sugar passing through the placenta to the unborn child. This can eventually lead to the accelerated growth of the baby which can make labor more difficult to mothers.
Researchers from the National Institutes of Health in Rockville, Maryland, studied the data from the Nurses' Health Study II which looked into more than 115,000 women starting 1989. Lead researcher Cuilin Zhang said that about four percent of these women developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
The study, as per DNA India, disclosed that the women noted that they consumed more potatoes before and during their pregnancy. "Higher total potato consumption was significantly associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes," the study said in its conclusion.
To avoid developing this disease during pregnancy, medical specialists said diet and exercise would greatly help expecting mothers. Women are also advised to eat vegetables and legumes. "Substitution of potatoes with other vegetables, legumes, or whole grain foods was associated with a lower risk," added Zhang.
BBC also note that mothers can also consume baked or mashed potato instead of eating sweet or boiled new potatoes. Another simple swap is choosing rye bread, granary or pumpernickel over white and wholemeal bread. "Try porridge, natural muesli or wholegrain breakfast cereals," BBC added.
Diabetes UK's Dr. Emily Burns also mentioned in the same report that staying in shape can help lower the risk of diabetes among pregnant women. "What we do know is that women can significantly reduce their risk of developing gestational diabetes by managing their weight through eating a healthy, balanced diet and keeping active," Burns added.
