A woman attempting to become pregnant is recommended to increase her folate levels. Explain the importance of folate during pregnancy, and suggest sources of folate that the woman may include in her diet to increase her intake levels.

What will be an ideal response?


Inadequate folate intake has been linked to the development of congenital abnormalities and clinical complications of pregnancy. Specifically, inadequate availability of folate between 21 and 27 days after conception can interrupt normal cell differentiation and cause neural-tube defects. It is recommended that women consume 600 mcg DFE of folate per day during pregnancy and include 400 mcg folic acid from fortified foods or supplements. The remaining 200 mcg DFE should be obtained from vegetables and fruits. These nutrient-dense foods provide an average of 40 mcg of folate per serving. To reach the recommended folate intake levels, the woman may include folate-rich foods such as oranges, dried beans, and pineapple juice as well as fortified foods such as breakfast cereal, pasta, rice, and bread in her diet.

Nutritional Science

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Nutritional Science