Potato consumption associated with Gestational Diabetes

In a new study published in The British Medical Journal consuming 2-4 cups of potatoes per week before pregnancy increased a woman's chances of getting Gestational Diabetes by 27%, while eating 5 or more cups per week increased it by 50%

Now this study didn't take into account whether the potatoes consumed were french fries, baked potatoes, or mashed potatoes, regardless of the form caution should be used.

It is better to eat green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cauliflower), peppers, carrots, and cucumber which are considered complex carbohydrates rather than starchy vegetables like potatoes, rice, and pasta which can spike your insulin substantially.

If you are going to eat potatoes, make sure you eat them with lots of butter or a good fat like avocado which will help slow down the blood sugar spike a little bit :)


Source:

Pre-pregnancy potato consumption and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: prospective cohort study
http://www.bmj.com/content/352/bmj.h6898.full