If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before and during pregnancy, it can help prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine. Women need 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day.
About folic acid
Folic acid is a B vitamin. Our bodies use it to make new cells. Everyone needs folic acid.
How much folic acid a woman needs
400 micrograms (mcg) every day
When to start taking folic acid
For folic acid to help prevent some major birth defects, a woman needs to start taking it at least one month before she becomes pregnant and while she is pregnant.
Every woman needs folic acid every day, whether she’s planning to get pregnant or not, for the healthy new cells the body makes daily. Think about the skin, hair, and nails. These – and other parts of the body – make new cells each day.
How a woman can get enough folic acid
There are two easy ways to be sure to get enough folic acid each day:
Take a vitamin that has folic acid in it every day.
Most multivitamins sold in pharmacies have the amount of folic acid women need each day. Women can also choose to take a small pill (supplement) that has only folic acid in it each day.
Multivitamins and folic acid pills can be found at most local pharmacy, grocery, or discount stores. Check the label to be sure it contains 100% of the daily value (DV) of folic acid, which is 400 micrograms (mcg).
Eat a bowl of breakfast cereal that has 100% of the daily value of folic acid every day.
Not every cereal has this amount. Check the label on the side of the box, and look for one that has “100%” next to folic acid.
The following cereals contain 100% of the DV of folic acid per serving size. Please look at nutrition label on the side of the cereal box for the serving size and % Daily Value.
Kellogg’s®
All-Bran® Bran Buds®
All-Bran® Complete® Wheat Flakes
All-Bran® Original
All-Bran® Strawberry Medley
Low-Fat Granola without Raisins
Product 19®
Mueslix
Smart Start® Strong Heart Antioxidants
Special K®
Quaker® Oats
Cap'n Crunch Original ®
Cap'n Crunch’s Christmas Crunch®
Cap'n Crunch’s Crunch Berries®
Cap'n Crunch's Peanut Butter Crunch®
Honey Graham OH!s®
King Vitamin®
Cinnamon Life®
Maple & Brown Sugar Life®
Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar
Oatmeal Squares Cinnamon
Oatmeal Squares Golden Maple
Quisp®
These cereals are high in folic acid, but please check the nutritional information on the label to ensure that your other nutritional needs are met
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