Fuel Your Body: Top Folic Acid Foods for Everyday Energy

If your body were a thriving city, folic acid would be the power plant, fueling everything from cell growth to energy production. Feeling low on energy? Missing that healthy glow? Here’s the simple, tasty solution: folic acid-rich foods that are ready to supercharge your health!

Top Foods Packed with Folic Acid

Here’s a guide to foods with high, moderate, and low levels of folic acid, using standardized values per 100 grams from the USDA FoodData Central and IFCT (Indian Food Composition Tables). (2)(3)

 

Category

Food

Folic Acid (USDA)

Folic Acid (IFCT)

How to Enjoy

High (>200 mcg)

Lentils

358 mcg

315 mcg

Add to soups or curries

 

Asparagus

243 mcg

256 mcg

Steam or roast as a side dish

 

Spinach

194 mcg

190 mcg

Use in salads or smoothies

Moderate (100–200 mcg)

Beetroot

109 mcg

106 mcg

Grate into salads

 

Okra

134 mcg

140 mcg

Add to stir-fries or curries

 

Avocado

90 mcg

110 mcg

Mash for toast or guacamole

Low (<100 mcg)

Broccoli

57 mcg

54 mcg

Steam or toss into stir-fries

 

Peanuts

60 mcg

55 mcg

Snack or add to salads

 

Carrots

19 mcg

21 mcg

Enjoy raw or in stews

How to Use This Table

  1. High Folate Foods: Prioritize these to meet daily requirements quickly.
  2. Moderate Folate Foods: Combine with high-folate options for variety.
  3. Low Folate Foods: Add as extras to balance your meals.

Why Folic Acid Matters

Folic acid doesn’t just help your cells grow; it’s also vital for reducing the risk of anemia and promoting brain and heart health. Adults need about 400 micrograms daily, while pregnant women require up to 600 micrograms (1)

So, go ahead, load up on those lentils, spinach, and avocados, and let folic acid work its magic. Your body will thank you, and hey, your taste buds won’t complain either! Here’s to turning every meal into a power-packed adventure!

References

  1. National Institutes of Health. Folate: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Office of Dietary Supplements. Published April 26, 2023. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/
  2. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service. USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 16-1. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 2002. https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/80400525/data/hg72/hg72_2002.pdf
  3. National Institute of Nutrition. Indian Food Composition Tables (IFCT). Hyderabad, India: National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research; 2017. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://ifct.nin.res.in/

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Fuel Your Body: Top Folic Acid Foods for Everyday Energy

If your body were a thriving city, folic acid would be the power plant, fueling everything from cell growth to energy production. Feeling low on energy? Missing that healthy glow? Here’s the simple, tasty solution: folic acid-rich foods that are ready to supercharge your health!

Top Foods Packed with Folic Acid

Here’s a guide to foods with high, moderate, and low levels of folic acid, using standardized values per 100 grams from the USDA FoodData Central and IFCT (Indian Food Composition Tables). (2)(3)

Category

Food

Folic Acid (USDA)

Folic Acid (IFCT)

How to Enjoy

High (>200 mcg)

Lentils

358 mcg

315 mcg

Add to soups or curries

 

Asparagus

243 mcg

256 mcg

Steam or roast as a side dish

 

Spinach

194 mcg

190 mcg

Use in salads or smoothies

Moderate (100–200 mcg)

Beetroot

109 mcg

106 mcg

Grate into salads

 

Okra

134 mcg

140 mcg

Add to stir-fries or curries

 

Avocado

90 mcg

110 mcg

Mash for toast or guacamole

Low (<100 mcg)

Broccoli

57 mcg

54 mcg

Steam or toss into stir-fries

 

Peanuts

60 mcg

55 mcg

Snack or add to salads

 

Carrots

19 mcg

21 mcg

Enjoy raw or in stews

How to Use This Table

  1. High Folate Foods: Prioritize these to meet daily requirements quickly.
  2. Moderate Folate Foods: Combine with high-folate options for variety.
  3. Low Folate Foods: Add as extras to balance your meals.

Why Folic Acid Matters

Folic acid doesn’t just help your cells grow; it’s also vital for reducing the risk of anemia and promoting brain and heart health. Adults need about 400 micrograms daily, while pregnant women require up to 600 micrograms (1)

So, go ahead, load up on those lentils, spinach, and avocados, and let folic acid work its magic. Your body will thank you, and hey, your taste buds won’t complain either! Here’s to turning every meal into a power-packed adventure!

References

  1. National Institutes of Health. Folate: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Office of Dietary Supplements. Published April 26, 2023. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/
  2. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service. USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 16-1. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 2002. https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/80400525/data/hg72/hg72_2002.pdf
  3. National Institute of Nutrition. Indian Food Composition Tables (IFCT). Hyderabad, India: National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research; 2017. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://ifct.nin.res.in/

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