Final answer:
Chicken liver is the food with the highest amount of folate among the options listed. Pregnant women or those trying to conceive should consume at least 400 µg/day of folate to prevent birth defects and support fetal development. A varied diet including leafy greens, nuts, legumes, and enriched cereal products is essential.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse conducting dietary teaching for clients trying to become pregnant should emphasize the importance of folate, which is crucial for preventing birth defects, particularly neural tube defects. The food item with the highest amount of folate among those listed is b. 3.5 oz chicken liver. This is because organ meats like chicken liver are known to be particularly high in folate, as well as other nutrients vital for pregnancy.
The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine recommends that all women who might become pregnant consume at least 400 µg/day of folate from supplements or fortified foods to decrease the risk of birth defects and support early fetal development. A well-rounded diet that includes items from the meat, vegetable and fruit, and bread and cereal groups mentioned, particularly emphasizing those foods high in folate like leafy greens, nuts, legumes, and enriched breads and cereals, helps ensure adequate intake of this vital nutrient.