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| Monday, May 03, 2010 |
| Women and Folate |
Before I continue, I’m going to warn my boyfriend to close this page. Just click on the X in the corner and walk away, buddy. Trust me; it’s for your own good.
Ahem. Now that the room is clear, I have a confession to make. I’ve been bitten by the baby bug! It’s a very tiny bug (microscopic, if you will), but it keeps buzzing around telling me how I need a baby with chubby baby fingers and those baby pajamas that go over their little baby feet. Do you know the ones I’m talking about? Sigh. Now, everyone who knows me knows that this is not the time for me to be having babies. I very much like my sleep…and my cocktails. Not to mention that babies, or children in general, terrify me just a little bit.
Where am I going with all this baby talk? Well, in my Preventive Nutrition class this semester, one of our assignments was to create a patient education handout on the topic of our choice. I chose folate, because I believe it isn’t talked about enough in the population who needs it the most: women of child-bearing age. Yep, that includes me and my delirious baby fever.
Here is some of the information that I talked about in my report:
- Folate (or folic acid) is a B vitamin that helps to produce and maintain new cells in your body and supports red blood cell production.
- What’s the difference between folate and folic acid? Folate can be found naturally in foods. Folic acid is the man-made form of folate (used in multivitamins and fortified foods).
- Folate deficiency in women has been linked to a higher risk of neural tube defects in babies (malformations of the spinal cord and brain).
- 70% of cases of neural tube defects are preventable. That’s why an adequate intake of folate before pregnancy is key.
What are some good sources of folate? Here are a few high folate foods, along with some Sensei recipes that will make getting folate more delicious:
- Leafy green vegetables like romaine lettuce and spinach: - Beans and lentils: - Asparagus: - Oranges
- Fortified breakfast cereals
Although I am not planning to bring mini me’s into the world just yet, I like to be prepared. And making sure that I am getting enough folate in my diet is one way I can accomplish that. So seriously, am I the only one with baby fever? How are you incorporating more folate in your diet?
- Eunice
If you like this article, you might also enjoy…
Sensei Talks: Green Foods for Weight Loss
Sensei Talks: Beans, beans the magical fruit!
Labels: Eunice, Women's Health
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posted by My Sensei @ Monday, May 03, 2010   |
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| 4 Comments: |
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I've been bitten by the baby bugg too! Especially after this weekend when we went to our first baptism!
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No baby bug my way, but I do typically eat all of those things on a regular basis, so if the bug ever does bite, I think I'm prepared (in the folate department anyway).
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This is so important. I'm glad you picked that topic. But I had no idea that Asparagus is folate-infused. And baby feet. Baby feet are the best. I love all baby feet. Even when attached to ugly babies.
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At 52, nope, no babies! Thx for the info!
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I've been bitten by the baby bugg too! Especially after this weekend when we went to our first baptism!