Pregnant? Folic Acid Keeps You and Baby Healthy

Pregnant mommies are required to eat well during pregnancies as nutritious foods contribute to the baby's growth and development. Folic acid is an important nutrient for a healthy pregnancy; and it is best to add this food and other prenatal vitamins, to your diet. A pregnant woman requires 600µg of folate each day

Folic acid is the synthetic form of naturally occurring folate and examples of foods that have a large amount of folic acid are:-

• Starches e.g. wholegrain bread, potato
• Fruits and dark green vegetables e.g. banana, oranges, spinach and broccoli
• Legumes e.g. lentils, soya products and kidney beans
• Meat e.g. liver

Folate plays a role in the formation of red blood cells. Women without enough folic acid in their diet are at risk for a certain type of anemia-fewer healthy red blood cells than normal. They are also at greater risk of giving birth to babies with neural tube defects (NTDs)

Folate helps support foetus' growth and overall development. Babies rely on a mother's supply of folic acid. Without enough folic acid, NTDs are more likely to occur. These serious birth defects affect the proper development of the spine (also known as spina bifida) and the brain (anencephaly).