Prevent Birth Defects By Taking Folic Acid

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you can help reduce your baby’s risk of birth defects by up to 70 percent by taking folic acid.

This nutrient is known to prevent neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida, which affects about one in 1,000 pregnancies each year in the United States. If you take the recommended daily dose of folic acid, you are improving not only your own health, but also the neurological health of your baby.

The best foods to eat that contain this beneficial nutrient are:

Dark, leafy greens

Legumes: lentils or chickpeas

Fruits: papayas, oranges and strawberries

Enriched grain cereal and breads

Here's a healthy Recipe:
Lentil Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced carrots
¾ cup chopped celery
1 tbsp curry powder
1 cup rinsed green or brown lentils
1 15oz can crushed tomatoes
3 cups fat free, low sodium vegetable broth

Heat oil on medium in large pot (Dutch oven). Sauté onions, celery and carrots until soft. Add curry powder and stir into vegetables. Add lentils, tomatoes and vegetable broth. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes

Enjoy!