Evidence-based nutrition, in plain English — every entry sourced from clinical research.

Foods High in Folate

If you are trying to eat more Folate, ranked lists are useful because the best options are often not the most obvious ones. The foods below are ordered by Folate content in µg per 100 g, drawn from the foods in our database.

Remember: ranking by one nutrient is only one way to choose foods. Pairing matters too. Use the Folate compound page to understand absorption, forms and interactions.

Spinach — the top-ranked source

Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g, edible portion · values per 100 g
Calories 23
Total Fat 0.39 g
Saturated Fat 0.06 g
Sodium 79 mg
Potassium 558 mg
Total Carbohydrate 3.63 g
Dietary Fiber 2.2 g
Total Sugars 0.42 g
Protein 2.86 g
Vitamin K, folate, iron, magnesium, nitrates
Glycemic index: 15
Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC 168462)

Top 15 Folate foods

  1. Spinach — 194.0 µg per 100g (48% DV). Vitamin K, folate, iron
  2. Edamame — 185.3 µg per 100g (46% DV). Folate, vitamin K, isoflavones
  3. Asparagus — 182.5 µg per 100g (46% DV). Folate, vitamin K, vitamin A
  4. Pinto Beans — 172.0 µg per 100g (43% DV). Folate, fibre, plant protein
  5. Kidney Beans — 130.0 µg per 100g (32% DV). Folate, iron, magnesium
  6. Avocado — 128.7 µg per 100g (32% DV). Folate, vitamin K, vitamin E
  7. Beetroot — 109.0 µg per 100g (27% DV). Folate, manganese, dietary nitrates
  8. Peanut Butter — 97.3 µg per 100g (24% DV). Niacin, vitamin E, magnesium (natural
  9. Cauliflower — 97.0 µg per 100g (24% DV). Vitamin C, vitamin K, folate
  10. Sesame Seeds — 97.0 µg per 100g (24% DV). Calcium, lignans, magnesium
  11. Brussels Sprouts — 86.0 µg per 100g (22% DV). Vitamin K, vitamin C, folate
  12. Green Peas — 65.0 µg per 100g (16% DV). Vitamin K, folate, vitamin C
  13. Broccoli — 63.0 µg per 100g (16% DV). Vitamin C, vitamin K, folate
  14. Kale — 62.0 µg per 100g (16% DV). Vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C
  15. Whole Wheat Bread — 58.2 µg per 100g (15% DV). Manganese, selenium, B vitamins

How to actually eat more Folate

A handful of additions usually move the needle more than a full diet reset. Folate is best consumed from whole foods rather than supplements whenever possible. Try adding one new source each week, track how you feel, and build from there rather than forcing every meal to hit a target.

For broader context, see our Heart Health hub and the Folate compound page.

Common questions

How much Folate do I need a day? Needs differ by age, sex, life stage and health status. The figures here are not prescriptions; use them to compare foods, then apply your own context.

Are supplements better than food sources? Not automatically. Food provides co-factors such as fibre, fat and other micronutrients that help the body use Folate effectively. Supplements are useful for filling confirmed gaps.

A note on health content. This article is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical or dietetic advice. Where we cite research, links to the original papers are provided so you can read the evidence yourself.

Keep reading