During pregnancy, many pregnant women are concerned about whether eating potatoes is good for both mother and baby. Therefore, the question "Can pregnant women eat potatoes?" is always of interest to many people.
1. Health benefits of potatoes
Potatoes are a food source rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, bringing many health benefits.
1.1 Neutralize stomach acid
Potatoes are a food that can benefit people with high stomach acid levels. According to research, a serving of potatoes will reduce stomach acid levels. At the same time, you are also supported to promote the digestive system after supplementation.
1.2 Provide vitamins B and C
Potatoes contain many vitamins that can heal wounds and strengthen the immune system. In addition, if you use potatoes, you will increase your ability to absorb iron from other foods.
1.3 Supplementing folate for the body
Folic acid plays an extremely important role in brain development. For the fetus, a deficiency of folic acid will increase the risk of neural tube defects and affect intelligence later.
In addition, pregnant women who supplement enough folate in the first 3 months will help the fetus to be more stable and safe. Thereby, reducing the risk of miscarriage.
1.4 Increase energy for activities
Potatoes contain enough carbs to provide energy for the body. Especially for pregnant women, the need for calories is higher than normal. However, if you eat too much, it will lead to excess starch. Excess starch is also one of the causes of overweight and obesity.
1.5 Reduce dark circles around the eyes
Pregnant women have hormonal imbalances, leading to dark circles around the eyes. Potatoes contain many nutrients that can whiten the skin and nourish the skin quite effectively.
You can use mashed raw potatoes to cover your eyes for 10-15 minutes and the dark circles will be removed.
1.6 Prevent and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
Potato peels contain a large amount of potassium. According to research, potassium can reduce stroke, heart attack, or high blood pressure. Moreover, excess salt will also be improved and eliminated.
2. Is it safe to eat potatoes during pregnancy?
Although potatoes contain many nutrients that the body needs, if used incorrectly, they can be harmful to health, especially for pregnant women.
According to experts, pregnant women should not limit their intake of potatoes. Because potatoes contain Solanine (this substance is called a biological alkali). If this substance accumulates in the body, it will cause malformations.
Some of the following cases need attention, to protect the health of a healthy pregnancy when using potatoes:
- Potatoes become toxic when green spots appear: If there are green spots on potatoes, you accidentally eat them, symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting will appear.
- Immature potatoes can lead to birth defects such as Spina bifida or brain malformations.
- Do not use damaged potatoes. Especially pregnant women who accidentally eat them will be at risk of food poisoning.
- Potatoes contain a lot of starch, so it is not recommended for overweight and obese people.
Reference source: parenting.firstcry.com
Read more:
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