The Importance of Folic Acid During Pregnancy
For every woman, the time of pregnancy comes with every human emotion possible. It also includes various ideas and advice on what to eat and what not to eat, which sometimes makes it difficult to navigate what actually suits us. As many micronutrients are often marketed to provide the best healthy development, folic acid in pregnancy is one of the most commonly recommended nutrients advised by Dr. Elsa, a good gynaecologist in Dubai.
What is folic acid?
Also known as vitamin B9, folic acid is a manmade form of folate. It is a vitamin found in different foods and multivitamin supplements like peanuts, lentils, chickpeas, chicken liver, cheese, eggs, and more. For a body when consumed, folate is responsible for cell growth, making new blood cells in the body, protecting the child from different diseases, etc.
How to get the right amount of folic acid during pregnancy?
In order to get the right amount of folic acid during pregnancy, there are several ways you can ensure whether you are getting enough folate or not. The first and safest way is to look for supplements that list at least 400 mcg of folic acid in them. Another way of keeping a check includes focusing on eating a varied diet rich in different foods that contain folates or are fortified with folic acid.
Foods rich in folic acid
To find folic acid-rich food items, there are several excellent sources, like:
- Bread and grains: The common food items one can consume in the form of bread and grains are rolls, waffles, pancakes, rice, pasta, barley, millet, and more,
- Cereals: There are many kinds of cereals that can be consumed both hot and cold as they contain the daily value of folic acid.
- Fruits and vegetables: The fruits and vegetables one can include are orange juice, mustard greens, beets, strawberries, tomato juice, papaya, okra, and many others.
- Beans and peas: Can be consumed whether they are dry, frozen, or canned. The most common items used are cranberry beans, lentils, tofu, peanuts, kidney beans, etc.
- Protein food: For some protein food, there are several items that one can consume, but the most wholesome are cooked eggs and liver.
- Convenience food: There are several options that act as a very good source of folic acid, like bean with bacon soup, lentil soup, bean burrito, frozen waffles, etc.
Folic acid during pregnancy
No matter whether you are preparing your body for pregnancy or are constantly looking for some widely recommended folic acid or folate supplements, they are not only essential for health but also for the development of the body. Folic acid, or folate, helps in making healthy cells and prevents birth defects in the brain and spine, among others. Consumption of folic acid protects against the risk of cleft palate, premature birth, improper fetal development, and other common pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, neural tube effects, etc.
As other supplements are not protective against such conditions, folic acid is essential for a balanced nutrition intake. If you are experiencing difficulties with fertility or are willing to start taking a new vitamin or supplement, talk to a healthcare provider or book an appointment offered by New Concept Clinic, a gynaecology hospital in Dubai.
Also Read : Prenatal Massage and its Benefits during Pregnancy
