Make the most of what you eat! Nutrient-rich foods are essential for your physical and mental health. The nutrients you consume through your diet before and during pregnancy serve as the building blocks for your baby’s growth and development. Pregnancy is a crucial period in your life, as nutrition becomes vital for both your health and that of your little one. What you choose to consume or avoid can impact your baby’s development.
Foods rich in vitamin B9 (folate) are necessary for laying the foundations of your baby’s development. Folate, also known as folic acid, plays a significant role in generating new cells essential for the construction of your baby’s nervous system. Prior to and during the first trimester of your pregnancy, maintaining a diet rich in folate and supplementing with folic acid helps prevent malformations such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
According to recommendations published by Harvard, the consumption of this vitamin should be increased from 400 to 600 micrograms. However, it’s important to be careful not to fall into the false belief that more is better. Moderation is key to any good habit! The consumption of vitamin B9 should not exceed 1000 micrograms per day. To make healthy consumption easier for you, it can be helpful to keep a record of foods rich in this vitamin, such as cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, peas, beans, legumes, and citrus fruits.