Eating for Two: Part 2 – Folate and Iron

Folate and Iron: Pregnancy Essentials

Did you know that during pregnancy, only two nutrients see their requirements jump by 50% or more? These are folate (also called folic acid) and iron. If either of these is lacking, it can lead to anemia for both mom and baby.

It's pretty amazing how crucial folate is for a baby's development. It plays a key role in forming the neural tube, which eventually becomes the brain and spinal cord. This is why having enough folate around the 21 to 28-day mark after fertilization is super important. Getting plenty of folate-rich foods before and during conception can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects. Good news is, women can build up folate stores for a couple of months by eating these foods.

What Dad Eats Matters Too

Just like Mom's diet, Dad's food choices can also impact the baby even before birth! A study in the February 2001 issue of Fertility and Sterility found that men who get enough folate might make their children less prone to cancer later in life. For ages, women have been advised to consume enough folate to prevent birth defects. Now, it seems folate also contributes to strong, healthy sperm, leading to healthier kids. This exciting discovery hints that other lifestyle choices Dad makes, which haven't been studied yet, could also influence the vitality of his sperm and the future health of his children in a modern way.