Why is iron important during pregnancy?

Iron is an important mineral that carries oxygen to all parts of your body it has several  vital functions, such as carrying oxygen to the tissues from the lungs. Unfortunately Iron is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world.

Low iron levels can leave you tired, pale-looking and irritable. Symptoms of iron deficiency can occur even before the condition has progressed to iron deficiency anemia. The mineral’s deficiency can cause anemia during pregnancy which is associated with preterm delivery low birth weight, and infant mortality.

Good levels of iron during pregnancy are extremely important. The amount of blood in your body increases during pregnancy until you have almost 50 percent more blood than usual. You need extra iron to make more hemoglobin also you will need extra iron for your growing baby and placenta, especially in the second and third trimesters.

Many women need more because they start their pregnancy with insufficient stores of iron.

 

*Table from Dietitians of Canada www.dietitians.ca

Amount of non-heme iron in common plant sources:

• 1 cup iron-fortified ready-to-eat cereal: 24 mg
• 1 cup fortified instant oatmeal: 10 mg
• 1 cup edamame (soybeans), boiled: 8.8 mg
• 1 cup lentils, cooked: 6.6 mg
• 1 cup kidney beans, cooked: 5.2 mg
• 1 cup chickpeas: 4.8 mg
• 1 cup lima beans, cooked: 4.5 mg
• 1 ounce pumpkin seeds, roasted: 4.2 mg
• 1 cup black or pinto beans, cooked: 3.6 mg
• 1 Tablespoon blackstrap molasses: 3.5 mg
• 1/2 cup firm tofu, raw: 3.4 mg
• 1/2 cup spinach, boiled: 3.2 mg
• 1 cup prune juice: 3.0 mg
• One slice whole wheat or enriched white bread: 0.9 mg
• 1/4 cup raisins: 0.75 mg

I have my favourite high iron product,  is an amazing option for vegetarians or vegans aswell, you can fin this product in the natural food stores.

A simple and delicious way to make a delicious smoothie!

• Almond milk, banana, jalgua and agave syrup if you want it more sweet.