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Folate: Are You Consuming Enough?

August 23, 2005

Folate is important in the prevention of birth defects and heart disease. Are you consuming enough?

Folate is a B vitamin and is found in dark green leafy vegetables, dried beans and certain fruits such as oranges and strawberries. Meeting the daily requirement of 400 micrograms per day can be easy if you make sure to consume at least 2 cups of fruit and 2½ cups of vegetables every day.

Most cereals, pasta, breads and grain products are now fortified with folic acid, another form of folate.

For a folate-filled meal, try pasta with asparagus or mix beans with rice. Also, try to include a variety of fruits in your eating plan. The benefits of folate are worth every bite.

Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team