Final answer:
Beth's inclusion of folate-rich foods in her diet, such as leafy green vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and fortified foods, is important because it prevents birth defects and supports fetal development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before becoming pregnant, Beth included a variety of folate-rich foods in her diet to ensure proper fetal development and to reduce the risk of birth defects such as neural tube defects. Foods rich in folate include leafy green vegetables, whole wheat, fruits, nuts, legumes, as well as other sources like potatoes, bananas, beans, seeds, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dark green leafy vegetables, soy, and organ meats. It is recommended that all women who might become pregnant consume at least 400 μg/day of folate from these foods or from supplements because sufficient folate intake is known to prevent certain developmental anomalies in the embryo.
The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine underscores the importance of this nutrient by setting this recommendation. Some other examples of folate-rich items that might form part of a diet include seafood, organ meats, nuts, legumes, chocolate, enriched breads and cereals, brewer's yeast, almonds, milk, and broccoli. Among these, leafy greens like broccoli and asparagus, legumes, and fortified foods are particularly high in this essential vitamin.