Eating right, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy, is a must. I can’t blame you, eating fruits and veggies can get boring. It seems to always be the same routine. But let me share with you a simple, yummy and nutritious recipe that I’m sure you will enjoy.
It’s called Stuffed Potato Bowl that I found on the Potato Goodness website. It is a vegetarian recipe that is high in fiber, perfect for pregnant moms! This recipe is recommended for pre or post workout, but the potato and a bunch of other ingredients like fresh kale, strawberries, chickpeas, and egg contain a host of vitamins and minerals that can benefit pregnant mommies.
INGREDIENTS:
1 medium russet potato, baked1 cup Kale and Spinach blend, chopped
1/3 cup chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 Tablespoons avocado, chopped
1 cup strawberries, chopped
1 egg cooked however you like
PREPARATION:
Reheat baked potato for 30 seconds in the microwave.Remove and slice vertically in half, then horizontally in half again.
Press the back of fork directly down into potato to “smash” it!
Season potato with salt and pepper if desired. Top with Kale and spinach blend.
Top with remaining ingredients and enjoy.
Did you know that a US study of women in the childbearing age (19-50 years old) indicated that most fell short of the recommended levels of vegetable consumption? Depending on a woman ’s calorie needs, about 2 ½ to 3 cups of vegetables should be consumed daily.
With today’s diets, lifestyle choices and distractions, most women go with just a little over a cup of veggies a day. It’s hardly ideal if you have a little one on the way. This means that you’re missing out on important nutrients like potassium, which can help you avoid horrible leg cramps in the middle of the night.
Bananas are good, but the best source of potassium is the potato. Potatoes rank highest in potassium content among the top 20 most frequently consumed vegetables. A medium-sized US potato at about 5.2 ounces packs 620 mg of potassium, way more than a banana. At that size and prepared with the skin on, you’ll get only 110 calories.
Potatoes also have no fat, sodium or cholesterol. They’ve got loads of vitamin C and B-6, plus iron and fiber which help digestion and lower blood cholesterol. Potatoes are also high in folate, which is important in pregnancy for normal fetal brain and spinal cord development. Folate is needed for the development of DNA and other genetic material.
As your baby grows, he or she will gain energy in your womb through glucose. This may explain why your blood sugar levels may drop and cravings for starchy food begin. Potatoes are a convenient and delicious way to answer those cravings and will make you feel fuller faster. A serving of mashed potatoes can help reduce gastric acidity, too.
Remember though, that pregnancy nutrition is a careful practice. Eating right, especially during pregnancy, entails not just consuming the right foods, but the right amounts prepared the right way. Avoid deeply fried preparations, for example, and choose less processed dishes like boiled potatoes seasoned with spices, olive oil, and vinaigrette.
Thoroughly clean the potato for preparations with the skin on. Try the potato baked, with less cheese and toppings than you’d usually add, or steamed. Make potato dishes in combination with other vegetables and meat, or as a soup or stew. Mashed potatoes with some vegetables and spices will also make your day.
Potatoes are a rich source of vitamins and nutrients for an expectant mother and for a woman who hopes to be pregnant in the future. Plan your best pregnancy diet with your doctor or nutritionist. So remember to increase your veggie intake in general, and take a good long look at how potatoes can help your nutritional needs. The humble spud could be the answer to the nutrient gaps so many women are experiencing.
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 can get in touch with the local Potatoes USA-Philippines office at +632.534.8534 and [email protected]. You may also visit www.potatogoodness.com or like and follow Potatoes USA-Philippines on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotatoesUSAPhilippines.
