Sources of Iron for Vegetarians

Getting enough iron can be a difficult problem for vegetarians, especially for pregnant women. When you're pregnant, you need more blood for yourself, as well as blood for her new baby. This may cause you to become anemic if they were not already, and can lead to other health problems later (as well as complications for the baby).

One of the best sources of iron are red meat; However, this is not the only source of iron, so that vegetarians can still get adequate amounts of minerals. Vegetarian sources of iron are: lentils, spinach, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, tomato paste, white beans, dried peaches, prune juice, and soy. Eating several sources of iron-rich foods each day will help you get enough iron to keep you and your baby.

Although there are sources of plant iron, there are still other things you can do to maximize your iron intake of foods available. The calcium inhibits the absorption of iron in the body, but it is still necessary for each pregnancy. To avoid damaging your iron intake and still get enough calcium, try to avoid eating all the calcium of at least half an hour before or after eating iron. Tea and coffee can also prevent your body from absorbing iron, so avoid them as much as you can. Vitamin C, on the other hand, helps your body keep the iron, so make sure you get enough vitamin C too.

If you were anemic before becoming pregnant or become anemic at some point during your pregnancy, talk to your doctor before taking iron supplements. Your doctor can tell you about the different types of iron supplements and suggest the most appropriate for you. They can also test your blood to make sure you are getting enough iron. For some women, a combination of iron supplements and iron-rich foods are needed to get enough iron.

You do not have to compromise your choice to be a vegetarian in order to have a healthy pregnancy. As you can see, there are several good ways you can get your nutrients not including the consumption of red meat. Remember, it is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor before changing your diet or starting an iron supplement. Your doctor can check your iron levels and advise you on what plan would be best for you. Do not self-medicate! Excess iron can be a bad thing.

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