When teaching a client who is planning to get pregnant about the need to increase folic acid, which food can the nurse suggest?

Green and leafy vegetables are excellent sources of folic acid. Examples are spinach, broccoli, brussel sprouts, avocados, and asparagus. Other foods include lentils, beans, and nuts. Neural tube defects can occur as early as during the first month of pregnancy, so adequate folic acid intake prior to becoming pregnant is important. Studies show that folic acid before and in the early phase of pregnancy can prevent 70% of neural tube defects.