Question

Review the eating plans below and answer the following questions.

Eating Plan #3a (1 Day’s Intake)

1 cup of Corn Flakes cereal
1 cup of 1% fat milk
2 cups of coffee
2 slices of whole-wheat bread
2 ounces thinly sliced baked ham
2 ounces cheddar jalapeño cheese
8 ounces chocolate milk
3 12-ounce beers
2 beef and cheese enchiladas

Eating Plan 3b (1 Day’s Intake)
6 ounces grapefruit juice
2 scrambled eggs
1 ounce cheddar cheese
20 ounces coffee
2 ounces soy milk
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup cantaloupe
1 honey oat granola bar
1 cup vanilla yogurt
6 ounces grilled salmon
10 cooked asparagus spears
1 cup broccoli
4 ounces white wine
4 ounces blueberry juice + seltzer water
20 barbecue flavor soy crisps
1/2 cup carrots with 2 tbsp hummus
1 3" slice of pizza with vegetables
1 cup spinach
1/3 cup feta cheese
¼ cup black olives
5 grape tomatoes
3 Tbsp. oil & vinegar dressing
6 ounces white wine
¼ cup mixed nuts
1 cup vanilla ice cream

Eating Plan 3c (1 Day’s Intake)
1 cup of Corn Flakes cereal
¾ cup 1% fat milk
6 ounces orange juice
12 ounces coffee
1 honey nut granola bar
6 ounces chocolate milk
2 slices rye bread
2 ounces pastrami
2 Tbsp. hot mustard
1 ounce Swiss cheese
1 cup 2% fat milk
1 large apple
8 Ritz crackers
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
12 ounces Diet Coke
1 cup angel hair pasta
¾ cup marinara sauce
1 cup lettuce & 1 sliced tomato
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
5 cucumber slices
¼ cup Italian dressing
1/6 of a devil’s food cake
6 ounces red wine

Why do most Americans lack folate in their diets?

What is the difference between folate and folic acid?

Why is it important to get enough folate, or take a folic acid supplement becoming pregnant?

Which of these eating plans supplies the most folate - a, b or c? How do you know?

Answer 1

Most Americans lack folate in their diets due to insufficient consumption of folate-rich foods. Folate and folic acid are different forms of the same B-vitamin, with folic acid being more easily absorbed. Adequate folate intake is important for overall health and especially crucial for pregnant women. Eating Plan 3b supplies the most folate.

Step-by-step explanation:

Most Americans lack folate in their diets because they do not consume enough fruits, vegetables, and fortified grains that are rich in this nutrient. Folate is a B-vitamin that is important for the production and maintenance of new cells in the body. It plays a crucial role in preventing birth defects, as well as supporting overall health and well-being.

Folate and folic acid are forms of the same B-vitamin. Folate is the naturally occurring form found in foods, while folic acid is the synthetic form used in supplements and fortified foods. Both forms are important for the body's functions, but folic acid is more easily absorbed by the body.

It is important to get enough folate, or take a folic acid supplement, before and during pregnancy because it helps prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in the developing fetus. Adequate intake of folate is also important for the production of red blood cells, DNA synthesis, and proper cell division.

Eating Plan 3b supplies the most folate because it includes foods like raspberries, cantaloupe, broccoli, spinach, and orange juice that are rich sources of folate.