WOMEN, NUTRITION AND HEALTH CARE REFORM CONT.... Folic Acid Folic acid helps make DNA and helps your cells divide. Its very important during pregnancy for a healthy baby. Find folic acid in green, leafy vegetables, fruit juices, nuts, and beans. Women should get 400 micrograms daily. You can often get that from a serving of fortified cereal or bread. Women should get 600 mcg during pregnancy, or 500 mcg while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or plan to be, you should also take a folic acid pill. The Affordable Care Act requires most plans to cover folic acid pills without copays or deductibles for most privately insured women, if their provider gives them a prescription Sodium A high-salt diet can raise your chances of high blood pressure and stroke. These can lead to heart problems. The Affordable Care Act requires most plans to cover blood pressure screenings under most private health plans. Women should keep salt under 2,300 milligrams a day -- about 1 teaspoon. Even if you dont add salt, many processed and restaurant foods already have a lot of salt. If youre 50+, African-American, or have diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease, keep sodium below 1,500 mg Heart Health A heart-healthy diet helps keep a fatty substance called plaque from building up in the arteries around it. To keep your heart in good shape: Eat fruits and vegetables, fat-free or low-fat dairy, whole grains, lean meat, poultry, and fish. Choose polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, found in fish, nuts, and vegetable oils. Limit saturated fats, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars. Avoid trans fats. The ACA requires most plans to cover cholesterol and blood pressure screenings under most private health plans. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can eventually lead to heart problems so these screenings are important.
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 16:09:41 +0000
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