You are right: foods containing vitamins and minerals are FAR superior than in supplement (vitamin) form. There is some evidence, however, showing that the body can absorb the synthetic folic acid (from vitamins) better than in its natural food source. Just food for thought!
Many pregnant women can fall short of meeting their daily folic acid requirement, and the importance of folic acid is extremely crucial in the developing baby because it significantly lowers the risk of serious birth defects of the brain and spinal cord (neural tube defects), as well as help with cell function and tissue growth of the fetus. It can also help prevent heart defects and other hereditary-conditions.
If you are eating folate-rich foods on a daily basis, and eat enough to provide you with 800 mcg daily (daily requirement in pregnancy; I have seen this number anywhere from 600-800mcg; non-pregnant women need 400 mcg), then check with your doctor or mid-wife about your preference to "opt out" of taking pre-natal vitamins. Folic acid-rich foods include:
* Dark green, leafy vegetables
* Whole wheat bread
* Lightly cooked beans and peas
* Nuts and seeds
* Sprouts
* Oranges and grapefruits
* Liver and other organ meats
* Poultry
* Fortified breakfast cereals and enriched grain products
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You are right: foods containing vitamins and minerals are FAR superior than in supplement (vitamin) form. There is some evidence, however, showing that the body can absorb the synthetic folic acid (from vitamins) better than in its natural food source. Just food for thought!
Many pregnant women can fall short of meeting their daily folic acid requirement, and the importance of folic acid is extremely crucial in the developing baby because it significantly lowers the risk of serious birth defects of the brain and spinal cord (neural tube defects), as well as help with cell function and tissue growth of the fetus. It can also help prevent heart defects and other hereditary-conditions.
If you are eating folate-rich foods on a daily basis, and eat enough to provide you with 800 mcg daily (daily requirement in pregnancy; I have seen this number anywhere from 600-800mcg; non-pregnant women need 400 mcg), then check with your doctor or mid-wife about your preference to "opt out" of taking pre-natal vitamins. Folic acid-rich foods include:
November 29, 2009 - 4:22pm* Dark green, leafy vegetables
* Whole wheat bread
* Lightly cooked beans and peas
* Nuts and seeds
* Sprouts
* Oranges and grapefruits
* Liver and other organ meats
* Poultry
* Fortified breakfast cereals and enriched grain products
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