Preparing for pregnancy is an important stage that every couple must go through. In order to ensure the health of the baby, folic acid is an essential nutrient during pregnancy preparation. So what folic acid should you take to prepare for pregnancy? Next, I will introduce to you the essential folic acid knowledge for preparing for pregnancy.
First of all, let’s understand what folic acid is. Folic acid is a B vitamin that plays an important role in the human body, especially in the development of the fetal nervous system. Folic acid can not only prevent fetal neural tube defects, but also promote the normal development of the fetal brain and spine.
Secondly, how to consume enough folic acid during pregnancy preparation? Folic acid is mainly found in foods such as green leafy vegetables, beans, whole grains, and animal liver. Therefore, it is recommended to consume more folic acid-rich foods during pregnancy preparation, such as spinach, cabbage, tofu, mung beans, etc. In addition, you can ensure you are getting enough folic acid by taking folic acid supplements. Generally speaking, it is recommended to supplement 400 micrograms of folic acid every day during pregnancy preparation, and this can be appropriately increased to 600 micrograms in early pregnancy.
There are also some things that need to be paid attention to when taking folic acid. First, be careful to avoid overheating when cooking, as folic acid is easily destroyed by heat. Secondly, you should avoid soaking food for a long time because folic acid is easily soluble in water. In addition, the intake of alcohol and caffeine will affect the absorption and utilization of folic acid, so you should try to avoid drinking alcohol and excessive coffee while preparing for pregnancy.
The role of folic acid during pregnancy preparation is not only to prevent fetal neural tube defects, but also has other important functions. For example, folic acid can increase a woman\’s pregnancy rate, reduce the risk of early miscarriage, and reduce the incidence of fetal Down syndrome and cleft lip and palate. In addition, folic acid helps improve sperm quality and quantity in men.
Finally, how should we supplement folic acid during pregnancy preparation? In addition to taking folic acid through food and folic acid supplements, you can also choose some foods rich in folic acid for supplementation. For example, you can choose some folic acid-rich breakfast cereals, such as folic acid-fortified cereals or breads. In addition, some baby rice cereals also contain higher folic acid content and can be used as a supplement during pregnancy preparation.
In short, adequate folic acid intake during pregnancy preparation is crucial for the healthy development of the fetus. By eating more folic acid-rich foods, taking appropriate folic acid supplements, and choosing folic acid-rich cereal breakfast foods, you can ensure adequate intake of folic acid during pregnancy preparations. I hope the above content can be helpful to expectant parents who are preparing for pregnancy!
