I recently found out that I will become a grandmother in June. Ordinarily, a new pregnancy makes me wonder about the folic acid intake of the new mom. But since Chef Adam RD is the dad I know that I don’t have to worry.
Folic Acid (or Folate if coming from a food source) is a B vitamin that protects a developing fetus from neural tube defects like Spina Bifida. The main difference between a prenatal vitamin and a general multivitamin is the folic acid content.
Strawberries, leafy green vegetables and orange juice are great sources of naturally-occurring Folate. Thanks to the advocacy work of the March of Dimes, folic acid is added to grain-based foods like rice, pasta and cereals in the United States, providing a layer of protection for the fetus before the pregnancy is even suspected.
I know that my grand-baby is off to a good start.