Iron is the magic mineral that helps you produce red blood cells which carry oxygen and nutrients through your body and to your baby. During pregnancy, your baby will be taking lots of iron from you, so it’s important that you make sure you have plenty of iron in your diet, so you both get enough.
Iron is found in a range of foods like meat, green veges, dried fruit and legumes like baked beans. But by far the best source of iron is from lean red meat, chicken and fish, and the redder the meat the higher the iron. Aim to eat lean red meat three or four times a week. Green leafy veges, legumes, fortified breakfast cereals and eggs all contain iron, but your body doesn’t absorb it very easily. A trick to helping you absorb more iron is to eat food that’s high in Vitamin C at the same time, fruit and veges like oranges, kiwi fruit and yellow capsicums are all good.
Avoid drinking tea with your meals as the tannins reduce your iron absorption.
If you are concerned you are low in iron, have a chat with your GP who may suggest an iron supplement.
