Help Your Iron Absorption in Pregnancy
You need more iron in your blood during pregnancy to keep your energy levels up. Be sure to eat plenty of foods high in iron to maximize your iron absorption in pregnancy.
1. Eat Iron-Boosting Foods
Foods high in vitamin C (citrus fruit, strawberries, green pepper, kiwi), when eaten along with iron-containing foods, increase iron absorption in pregnancy. Milk, tea, coffee and antacids inhibit the absorption of iron.
2. Consider the Myths About Iron
Remember when your mother made you eat your spinach? Yes, spinach is rich in iron, but most of it cannot be absorbed through human intestines. There are other foods like this, ones that contain a lot of iron that is not absorbable. The figures look good on paper, but that’s all it is — “paper iron.” The iron found in vegetables and egg yolk, for example, are not well absorbed.
3. Read Labels
The amount of “iron” listed on a food label may be misleading. More nutritionally important is “elemental iron,” which means the amount of iron that is available for absorption.
4. Choose From Iron-Rich Foods
These foods include liver, beef, oysters, sardines, tuna, clams, shrimp, apricots, figs, peaches, raisins, bread, cereals (iron-fortified), bagel, pasta, nuts, lentils, artichoke, peas, potato with skin and Brewer’s yeast.