Folic acid widely known as one of the most nutrients for health when a baby is growing in utero. During this development phase, folic acid is important for the proper development of the baby’s brain, and not enough folic acid has been associated with problems like brain development issues and spina bifida. However, many modern moms try to take the easy route by using a supplement that includes folic acid to get what they need during pregnancy. It’s true that supplements may be helpful in certain situations, but it’s even better to get your folic acid for fetal health through whole foods in their natural form or, if supplements are needed, through high quality, whole foods supplements.

It isn’t very difficult to get sufficient amounts of folic acid through an everyday healthy diet that includes a variety of whole foods. One of the best sources of folic acid include leafy green foods, such as: asparagus, turnip greens, seaweed, collard greens, cabbage and spinach. Another great source of folic acid is by eating liver, and it also offers numerous other health benefits for your body.IMG_8220-3web

Instead of popping a pill, you can choose to eat whole foods as a source of folic acid… and these foods contain many other nutrients that won’t be found in a supplement. As an example, eating spinachprovides lots of folic acid, as well as plenty of calcium and vitamin C which are necessary for your body and your growing baby. Liver provides folic acid, as well as a healthy dose of several fat soluble vitamins, such as Vitamin A!

Folic Acid Supplements During Pregnancy

Whole foods supplements are an option for those women who are in special situations, or who are really concerned about not getting enough folic acid during pregnancy. Be very careful about the supplements that you choose, because they should not be made by synthetically producing one specific type of a vitamin into a pill, because your body most likely will not be able to absorb it easily. Instead of using these cheap supplements, you can find whole foods alternatives that are made by using nutrients already found in whole foods and concentrating them into pill form. Hand-down the best source of nutrition comes from organic whole foods, but if a supplement is needed then a whole foods source is best because they are much better than the average drugstore supplements and vitamins! When you use a whole foods supplement that is proven to be high quality, then it may provide the folic acid that you need to protect your baby’s health during pregnancy – which is especially important during first trimester when the vital brain development is occurring.

Would you like to know more about the other nutrients that are needed during your pregnancy? The book Healing Our Children contains wonderful advice for women who are pregnant or who are trying to conceive. This information will allow a woman to be empowered with their health, and they will be able to give their babies the best possible start in life by eating healthy, whole, organic diets containing foods that will truely nourish their bodies and their babies.

Photo Credit: kristinbanks from Flickr