For this reason, folic acid has been added to some foods such as enriched breads, pastas, rice, and cereals. Folic acid is much more effective, however, in its natural form which can be found abundantly in citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, beans, peas, tuna, eggs, and other foods. Iodine is another crucial nutrient for production of the thyroid hormone, which plays an important role in brain development. Pregnant mothers also need choline and lecithin, both of which directly affect the brain of the developing infant. Today, dietary intake of these substances is unusually inadequate due to the trend of cutting back on fatty foods such as eggs, organ meats, and other meats that serve as their best sources.
Some supplements can cause harm.
Some foods, such as raw or undercooked meat or seafood, are also off-limits to expectant women. They often contain bacteria that can cause severe food poisoning, dangerous for the fetus and very unpleasant for the mother. According to the March of Dimes, alcohol rather than coffee is the most common known cause of fetal damage in the country, and the leading cause of preventable mental retardation. The ban on alcohol in Islam seems most wise when one considers the harm it poses to unborn children. In fact, some studies are exploring the possibility that male consumption of alcohol prior to conception may have an effect on the fetus as well as female consumption before and after conception.