I am vegetarian and thinking about getting pregnant. Can I get enough folic acid from my food?

Probably not. The recommended dose of folic acid for most women is 400 micrograms (400 mcg) per day. Pregnant women should get at least 600 micrograms of folic acid per day.

It's hard to get this amount through diet alone. Folate is the natural form of folic acid. It is found in some foods. But the amount of folic acid in these foods is fairly low.

It's best to eat a balanced diet and take a multivitamin every day. The March of Dimes encourages women to take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, in addition to a healthy diet. Most multivitamins have the recommended dose, but check the label to be sure. If you're pregnant, your prenatal vitamin will likely have the right amount of folic acid you need.

If you have had a previous pregnancy affected by a birth defect of the brain or spinal cord, talk with your health care provider. You may need to take a larger dose, to reduce the risk of another affected pregnancy.

September 2009