Pregnancy and the 7 Ways to get Folic Acid on a Raw Vegan Diet

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

You are doing the right thing by eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. A raw vegan diet is good for you and for your baby. Folate or Folic acid is an important B vitamin that has been shown to reduce brain and spinal cord defects-which usually happen in the first 28 days of pregnancy so if you are actively trying to get pregnant it would be good for you to start your folate intake early.

Folic Acid also plays a large role in the development of DNA and really should be consumed by all child bearing women. It also helps in developing cells and tissue. If you have a sister or daughter make sure they get their greens even if don’t think they will be getting pregnant anytime soon – unplanned pregnancies do happen.

You can find folic acid in foods like spinach and orange juice – really any leafy greens will have folic acid. What other sources are there? I found seven sources as I was researching this vitamin and most can easily be added to a green smoothie.

7 Folate Rich Foods

1. Avocado
- I love avocados. California is blessed with an abundance of these buttery smooth yummy fruits. I like to add them in a salad, in a green smoothie or even all on its own. Avocadoes are also a great source of Vitamin E and Potassium.

2. Beets
- Beets not only have folate but they are a good source of Vitamin C. They have a bright red color and make a nice addition to your morning smoothie.

3. Oranges
- Everyone knows about oranges vitamin C boost which helps you fight colds but did you know they are also a great source of folic acid? These are best when ripe and in season which is during the winter here in the States.

4. Dates
- Dates are yummy little vitamin packed gifts from nature. Not only do they have folic acid which is good for your pregnancy but they are also a good source of Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and Fiber. All very good for women.

5. Grapefruits
- Rich in antioxidants and potassium grapefruits are also a great source of folate. If you choose to eat pink grapefruits you will get some beta-caratene.

6. Bananas
- Did you know that bananas are good for you after a workout? Everyone knows they are a great source of potassium which is an electrolyte lost during exercise. Add a banana to an after workout smoothie and you’ll be adding potassium, magnesium, folate and Vitamin B6 to your diet which will benefit your wee one greatly.

7. Apricots
- Apricots are orange and that means they are a great source of beta-carotene which is good for reproduction growth, vision and the immune system. The small apricot is also a good source of folic acid, fiber, and potassium.
These are just seven healthy raw vegan foods that you can get folic acid from but there are plenty of vegetables that are rich in folate as well such as broccoli, spinach, collard greens, turnip greens, okra and asparagus. Enjoy your pregnancy and may you be blessed.

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About the Author:
Sara Duggan is an avid blogger of all things crochet. She is known as Momwithahook on Squidoo where she shares her patterns, book reviews, and other crafty knowledge. Visit her at http://momwithahookonsquidoo.com sign up for her Building Your First Squidoo Lens in 7 Days eCourse.

Disclosure:
This article is intended for educational purposes and NOT as medical advice. Do your research, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always veer toward safety and remember in everything MODERATION.