You can help your baby get off to a healthy start that will last a lifetime by eating well both before and during pregnancy. The Food Guide Pyramid is a guide to a healthy, balanced diet. You should try to eat foods from each of the five good groups every day to provide lots of carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Of particular importance is folic acid, a B vitamin. All women who might become pregnant should consume 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, especially in the weeks before conception and the early weeks of pregnancy.
Folic acid helps reduce the risk of having a baby with brain and spinal cord defects.
Good sources of folic acid are orange juice, dried beans and peas, fortified bread and cereal products, and dark green leafy vegetables. Honey Blend well in blender and serve. Makes 5 cups. Serving size is 1 cup. 1 8-ounce can pineapple chunks, canned in natural juice 1 cup jellied cranberry sauce 2 Tbsp. cider vinegar 2 Tbsp. firmly packed brown sugar cup chicken broth 2 Tbsp.