Written By: Sofia Layarda, RD
Last Updated on:
A recent study out of Norway found that women who take folic acid early in their pregnancy or before they become pregnant reduce their offspring’s risk for autism. What does that mean for women trying to conceive?
Folic Acid’s Role during Pregnancy
Folic acid is important in the prevention of neural tube defects. Since neural tube closure occurs early in pregnancy (sometimes before a woman knows she is pregnant), folic acid is recommended for women of childbearing age as well as pregnant women. Prenatal multivitamin supplements contain folic acid, typically somewhere between 800 and 1,000 mcg. The recommended dietary allowance for pregnant women is 600 mcg.
Regular multivitamins for adults usually contain 400 mcg of folic acid, in line with the recommended dietary allowance.
Folic Acid in Our Food Supply: Fortification
Supplements are not the only source of folic acid. Many grain products, including flour, pasta, and breakfast cereals, are fortified with folic acid. The reason for the fortification of grain products is that food sources contain levels of naturally occurring folate much lower than the recommended dietary intake. Folic acid from fortified food (and folic acid supplements) has higher bioavailability than the naturally occurring folate obtained from foods.
Folic acid fortification of flour, pasta, and breakfast cereals in the United States and Canada is estimated to supply 100 mcg to 200 mcg of folic acid daily. However, this can vary quite widely depending on individual food choices.
Here are some food sources of folic acid from both naturally occurring and fortified sources.
| Food | Folic Acid (mcg DFE) |
| Kellogg’s Special K, 1 cup | 676 |
| General Mills Total Raisin Bran, 1 cup | 673 |
| General Mills Cheerios, 1 cup | 336 |
| Lentils, cooked, 1/2 cup | 179 |
| Chickpeas, cooked, 1/2 cup | 141 |
| Spaghetti, enriched, cooked, 1/2 cup | 83 |
| Black beans, cooked, 1/2 cup | 80 |
| Avocado, 1/2 fruit | 60 |
The Bottom Line
So, should you supplement with extra folic acid in addition to your prenatal supplement? Well, look into how much folic acid you may already be getting from fortified foods as well as naturally occurring sources. If you are pregnant and already taking a prenatal multivitamin, you likely do not need further supplementation. Consult with your physician before taking an extra folic acid supplement.
Sofia believes in bringing back fun and pleasure into everyday eating. She loves cooking, and is constantly experimenting with ingredients, creating recipes and trying them out on family and friends. Her latest interest lies in finding realistic and practical ways of environmentally-friendly food/eating habits.
