Folate
By: Chris Santana & Brett Kim
What foods most important
- Rich sources of folate include dark green vegetables, beans and fortified cereals.
- Some fruits, such as cantaloupe, honeydew melon, oranges and orange and grapefruit juices, are also good sources of folate.
RECIPES WITH FOLATE-RICH FOODS
- Beef & Bean Chile Verde
- Black Bean Croquettes with Fresh Salsa
- Chicken Parmesan Sub
- Kung Pao Tofu
How much folic acid you need
- To reduce your baby's risk of developing a neural tube defect, experts recommend that you take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid per day, beginning at least a month before you start trying to get pregnant.
- Some groups, such as the U.S. National Institutes of Health, suggest boosting your intake to at least 600 mcg daily once you're pregnant.
Why Eat Folate
- Folate is important for cell division
- The baby uses folate( folic Acid) when forming the neural tube
- We all need folate, for this reason and because, with vitamin B12, folate helps create normal red blood cells.