Mindful Mum

How To Get Folic Acid Naturally In Your Diet

Mindful Mum — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:33:55 +0000

Folic acid is one of the B Vitamins and is important during preconception and pregnancy. It is found naturally in many foods and often added to manufactured food such as fortified breakfast cereal, malt drinks and bread.

Folic acid helps your baby develop, is necessary for the formation of blood cells and also prevents neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anaemia (folate deficiency anaemia.)

Mindful Mum lists the;

best natural sources of folate (the natural form of folic acid),
latest UK recommendation on folic acid supplements,
reason why you can stop taking folic acid supplements after 12 weeks.

How much folic acid do I need?

Currently the UK Food Standards Agency recommends you take a 400 mcg (0.4 mg) folic acid tablet every day before you get pregnant and for the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy.

Speak to your GP if you have had any previous pregnancy with a neural tube defect, or if you are on any medication for epilepsy or have diabetes as you may need a higher dose.

You can buy folic acid supplements from chemists, supermarkets or health shops. Your GP can also prescribe folic acid, so do ask as it will save you a few pounds.

How can I get folic acid into my diet naturally?

You can get folic acid into your diet naturally by eating foods that are rich in folate (natural form of folic acid), such as:

green leafy vegetables; asparagus, broccoli, spinach, brussels sprouts and kale (steam rather than boil to maintain the vitamins and folate)
oranges, grapefruit, bananas
pulses including, peas, kidney beans, chickpeas and lentils
fortified breakfast cereals (remember to have the correct portion size)
yeast extract (such as marmite)
nuts, such as peanuts, walnuts and hazelnuts

When do I take folic acid and for how long?

If you are thinking about getting pregnant then start taking folic acid and start including foods rich in folate (see above) straight away.

You can stop taking folic acid supplements once you are 12 weeks into your pregnancy, but continue to include foods rich in folate.

Why do I stop taking folic acid supplements after 12 weeks?

There is no need to take folic acid supplements after your first trimester. Research on Australian mothers who continued to take folic acid supplements in late pregnancy shows there may be a link to asthma. While there is no link found between intake of folate naturally through your diet or folic acid intake in early pregnancy.

The key message is to take folic acid supplements one month before you are pregnant and for the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy.

References

The Guardian, Researchers link asthma risk to folic acid during pregnancy, 2009
Patient UK, Folic Acid Deficiency Anaemia, (Accessed 2010)
FSA, Eat Well Be Well, Folic Acid Fortification, (Accessed 2010)

Baby Product Recall: Maxi-Cosi FamilyFix Base

Mindful Mum — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:52:58 +0000

Maxi-Cosi is voluntarily recalling all Maxi-Cosi FamilyFix bases sold before March 04, 2010, to be checked.

The recall concerns a potential problem in the mechanical attachment of the IsoFix connectors to the base. As a result, the base does not offer the child the desired level of protection in case of an accident. The problem, identified during a routine internal quality check, affects a small percentage of the total production. There have been no complaints or report of incidents.

The FamilyFix base is used for two successive car seats;

Maxi-Cosi Pebble (baby/0-13kg)
Maxi-Cosi Pearl (toddler/9-18kg)

Maxi-Cosi Car Seat Base Recall Details:

Recalled Product: Maxi-Cosi FamilyFix Bases sold before 4th March 2010
Hazard: Mechanical attachment of the IsoFix connectors to the base do not provide the desired level of protection.
Incidents/Injuries: No complaints or injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves Maxi-Cosi FamilyFix bases sold before March 04, 2010. See side of base for product name.
Remedy: Owners are advised to stop using their FamilyFix base and contact Maxi-Cosi Customer Care on 01842 763281. No proof of purchase is necessary. While awaiting the FamilyFix check, parents can continue to use the Maxi-Cosi Pebble or CabrioFix infant seat with a regular seat belt.

Contact: FamilyFix Helpdesk, call 01842 763281 (Lines open 8.30am-5.00pm Mom-Fri, 10.00am-2.00pm Sat-Sun).

Is Teflon Safe for Cooking?

Mindful Mum — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:01:16 +0000

Question: I’ve heard that I should throw out my teflon baking tray due to health risks? I’ve been using non-stick pans for years, is it safe?

Answer: If you have caught yourself using a metal knife to release your muffins from a non stick tray, a metal spatula to ease out your omelette or accidentally left your grill on the hob, re-read the manufacturer instructions on your non stick cooking equipment.

Despite the ease, convenience and ubiquity of non-stick substances such as Teflon, many health concious parents are gradually phasing out non-stick pots and pans in favour of traditional materials such as stainless steel and cast iron. This is because non-stick materials are made from perfluorochemicals which have been associated with health concerns including; smaller birth weight in new babies, cancer, liver damage and fertility problems.

For safe cooking, use non-stick pans according to the exact instructions laid down by the manufacturer. Mindful Mum gives the ‘low down on non-stick cooking safety’ and provides a list of alternatives to non stick cooking.

Here is the low down on non-stick pan safety and alternatives.

What are the health concerns surrounding Teflon?

Environmentalists have called into question the safety of non-stick materials, and more specifically Perflurooctanic Adic (PFOA) a key ingredient used in the manufacture of Teflon and other non-stick materials used in cookware.

Environmentalists, such as the Environmental Working Group (EWG), have conducted studies showing that toxic fumes leach from non stick pans when cooked at high temperatures. The fumes released from non-stick may cause flu-like symtoms know as polymer fume fever. A study from EWG shows that they can also kill pet birds such as canaries.

DuPont, the company that trademarked Teflon in the US in the 1940’s, acknowledges that its non-stick coatings begin to deteriorate when the cookware reaches about 500 degrees, it notes that those temperatures are higher than typical cooking heats. The company maintains that its pans are safe under normal use.

Health experts also have concerns regarding the use of non-stick in the kitchen. Metal utensils used with non-stick cookware scratch the surface which can release both teflon and the underlying metal such as aluminum into your food.

Has any government action been taken to check the safety of Teflon?

2006: the US Food and Drink Administration, DuPont and several other companies, agreed to voluntarily phase out the production of PFOA by 2015.
2006: the Science Advisory Board told the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that PFOA used in the manufacture of Teflon is a “likely human carcinogen.”
2004: the British government withdrew a related chemical perfluoroocatand sulphonate (PFOS) due to health concerns.

What should I do with Teflon cookware?

If using non-stick for cooking;

Read the manufacturers instructions regarding temperature and type of utensils to be used with non stick.
Check for peeling, flaking and scratching. Throw out any non stick equipment that is damaged.
Use wooden spoons or non-stick utensils with non-stick cookware.
Do not heat non stick cookware beyond tempertures of 500 F. This is because Teflon begins to break down at 536° Fahrenheit and rapidly enters the surrounding air at approximately 600 to 650° F.
Do not use metal utensils (e.g. spoons, spatulas, knives etc) with non-stick pots, pans or bakeware.
Wash teflon pans by hand, not in a dishwasher.

What alternatives are their to non-stick pots and pans?

Stainless Steel
Silicon Bakeware and Utensils
Pyrex Bakeware
Seasoned Cast Iron
Enameled Cast Iron pans

How do I stop food ‘sticking to the pan’ when not using ‘non-stick’?

Pans: heat up the pan first, then add your oil to the hot pan, and let the oil warm up before you put in the food. It won’t stick.
Bakeware: grease baking trays, cake tins and all baking ware well with oil each time you use them.

References

UCLA, Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) may reduce women’s fertility, 2009
EWG, Women at Greater Risk from Teflon, 2009
EWG, Study of Teflon Suggest Harm to Immune System, Liver and Thyroid. 2008
BBC, Teflon's Sticky Situation, 2004
See EWG for more alternatives to nonstick cookware.