The nurse is providing nutrition counseling during a preconception visit to a client who does not eat green vegetables. In addition to a daily prenatal vitamin, which foods can the client add to the daily diet to decrease the risk of neural tube defects? Select all that apply.

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11ecbb05_cbeb_2afd_b433_4b554f58764c_MD0009_00 Folic acid, or folate, is a water-soluble, B-complex vitamin necessary for red blood cell production. Pregnant women and those attempting pregnancy need a minimum of 400 mcg of folic acid per day to decrease the chance of fetal neural tube defects (eg, spina bifida, anencephaly). Most prenatal vitamins contain 400-800 mcg of folic acid; additional folic acid can come from the diet. Leafy green vegetables are the best dietary sources of folic acid. However, other appropriate food choices include cooked beans, rice, fortified cereals, and peanut butter, which provide at least 40 mcg folic acid per serving (Options A, B, and D). spina bifida (Option C) Sweet potatoes provide vitamin A, vitamin C, and minerals to the diet but no folic acid. (Option E) Raw carrots are a dietary source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and minerals, but not of folic acid. Educational objective: Folic acid is a B-complex vitamin that decreases the risk of fetal neural tube defects. Pregnant women require a minimum of 400 mcg of folic acid daily. Leafy green vegetables supply excellent dietary folic acid; alternate sources include beans, rice, peanut butter, and fortified cereals.

The Nurse Is Providing Nutrition Counseling During a Preconception Visit