When it comes to nutrition during pregnancy, the first thing that comes to mind is definitely folic acid. In fact, not just pregnant women, but men, women, and people of all ages should supplement with folic acid. This is because it is involved in the production of red and white blood cells, enhances immunity, and a deficiency can lead to a series of symptoms such as fatigue, forgetfulness, and insomnia.
Therefore, we should pay attention to supplementing with a certain amount of folic acid in our daily lives. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also recommends that women of childbearing age need to intake 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, especially in the early stages of pregnancy. In daily diets, lettuce is one of the best sources of folic acid. Its stems and leaves contain a large amount of natural folic acid and have high nutritional value. Decoction made from fresh lettuce leaves can be used to treat edema and ascites, lettuce seeds can be used to treat insufficient lactation, and the white sap from the tender stems of lettuce also has a sedative effect.
Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that lettuce is a food with very high nutritional value, and some even say that "it is a treasure all over."
In addition to lettuce, folic acid is widely found in the animal and plant foods we eat daily. Good sources include liver, kidney, eggs, beans, fruits, and green leafy vegetables. Because the loss rate of folic acid in food after cooking can be as high as 50% to 90%, consuming more raw fruits and vegetables is more beneficial for the absorption of folic acid. Furthermore, women during pregnancy can take additional folic acid supplements to ensure the normal development of the fetus.