GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Pregnancy brings on a cornucopia of changes to a woman's life -- including sometimes drastic changes to her nutrition and diet.
While a woman may have to stop eating some foods like some kinds of sushi and soft cheeses, pregnancy means incorporating new foods as well -- maybe even some more unexpected contenders to ensure that both mom and baby are getting all the necessary nutrients.
Dr. Velonda Anderson, of Sweet Potato Delights, shared some of the benefits pregnant women could see by adding sweet potatoes to their diets.
Sweet potatoes have garnered plenty of attention in the last few years and for good reason. They are tasty and loaded with tons of vitamins and nutrients that most anyone should have in their diet -- but especially pregnant women.
Sweet potatoes contain vitamin A, which is vital for mom-to-be and her baby. The American Pregnancy Association recommends mothers consume 700 mg of vitamin A every day during pregnancy. Vitamin A helps build babies immune systems and needed for healthy skin and eyes.
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Pregnant women also need vitamin C and iron, which is needed because of the larger blood volume during pregnancy.
If mothers are facing bouts of constipation, experts recommend getting in healthy doses of fiber to add bulk to the digestive system. A cup of sweet potato contains about 6.6. grams of fiber, which meets most fiber needs.
Women who breastfeed are often recommended to increase potassium intake and sweet potatoes are another excellent source of that nutrient as well.
For more information about sweet potatoes and how beneficial they are to pregnant women and their babies, visit the American Pregnancy Association's website. For other nuggets of nutritional information, visit Dr. Anderson's website.
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