Once you're pregnant, there's a pretty good chance you'll have to give up some guilty pleasures you love, especially in the food and wine departments. One thing you might want to add to your list before the bun is in the oven is a popular starch that yields so many tasty foods. Researchers believe those hoping to get pregnant shouldn't eat too many potatoes in an effort to prevent gestational diabetes.
As you would expect, the same advice also goes for when you are pregnant.
Experts at the National Institutes of Health's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Harvard University analyzed data from studies of 15,000 women during a span of a decade and looked at their food consumption — including potatoes, reported CBS News. There were 21,693 pregnancies among those women during that time frame, with 854 reports of the mother having gestational diabetes.
More from CafeMom: How Gestational Diabetes Affects Your Pregnancy & Baby__
Gestational diabetes is the primary concern.
Gestational diabetes is specific to expectant mothers, and affects about 2 to 10% of pregnancies each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers note that when a woman is pregnant, insulin resistance can occur, creating a rise in mom's glucose that can lead to diabetes.
Potatoes may spike blood sugar levels.
Because potatoes can spike your blood sugar levels if consumed too often, some doctors recommend pregnant women reduce their intake to lower their risk of gestational diabetes.
It doesn't have to be all or nothing.
Hoping to provide expectant mothers with an alternative that's not high on the glycemic index, researchers involved with the study recommend moms-to-be swap out at least two servings of potatoes each week for things like leafy green veggies, whole grains, and legumes.
More from CafeMom: What are the healthiest foods to eat while I'm pregnant?
According to the study, reducing potato consumption may reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.
Pregnant women who made these changes to their diet, ultimately reducing their weekly intake of potatoes, were able to lower their risk of gestational diabetes by 9 to 12%, according to the study.
At the end of the day, moderation is key.
*Disclaimer: The advice on CafeMom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
