Facts for Women
Folic acid is a B vitamin that naturally occurs in the body. Found in many multivitamins, it helps the body with an important function: producing new cells. All women should take folic acid every day before and during pregnancy to lower the chance of having a baby with birth defects in the brain or spine. Birth defects can sometimes occur before you’re even aware you are pregnant. Because your body and a developing baby both need folic acid during the first few weeks of pregnancy, it’s important for women to take folic acid at least three months before pregnancy. Babies rely on their moms for nutrients to build strong bones and tissues.


Steps Women Can Take

Folic acid, also called folate, is found in many multivitamins. All women should take at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.

Folic acid is found in many fruits and vegetables including broccoli, bananas, peas, nuts and breads.

Eating breakfast cereal that has 100% of the daily-recommended amount of folic acid is another way to get the folic acid you need. Health experts say that specific breakfast cereals have all the folic acid you need in one serving. They include Total, Product 19, Cheerios Plus, Special K Plus, Life, and Smart Start. Here’s a complete list of the cereals that health experts recommend.









Tools and Sites:

Learn which foods have folic acid and how to read a nutritional label

Folic Acid: A Healthy Start for Unborn Babies

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