Iron in pregnancy
by
, 30-03-2012 at 17:50
(1025 Views)
Not so long ago I was dredging my glucose tolerance test. Well I had the pleasure of taking it last week. Thankfully I passed with flying colours and the drink wasn't as bad as I remembered!
But my iron levels this time around had dropped. Not dramatically but enough to take some action. As my OB recommended 'eat more red meat'. Not so good for a girl who doesn't eat it and hasn't for 16 years! I am careful to watch my diet so that I have as many plant sources of iron as possible. I also eat chicken, eggs & seafood weekly.
Here are a few tips to get the maximum absorption of iron from the foods you eat:
Eat iron food sources with a vitamin C food sources. For example,
- make some homemade baked beans (cannellini, kidney) with fresh tomatoes
- make a legume salad and add dried fruit such as apricots or figs
- tannins in tea can interfere with iron absorption, watch your intake
- calcium can inhibit iron absorption from plant sources, so choose wisely
- take a good quality iron supplement alone or with vitamin c
Good luck!
Healthy Mumma
xx
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