Anemia - iron rich foods?

[jaber20]

Found out this week my hemoglobin levels are off (I'm 27 weeks) and need to take an iron supplement. Have others had this experience? I've wondered why I have felt so weak and tired during the second trimester unlike my first pregnancy. I thought it was from chasing after a 2-year-old and working full time. I'm glad to know what is wrong. However, I'm wondering what iron rich foods other can recommend? Did anyone take the iron supplements and see a dramatic energy increase from it? If so, how long did it take? I've contemplated starting my maternity leave early (I get 9 months off, 6 months of which is unpaid). That's how tired I've been.

[Anonymous]

Iron is most readily absorbed from red meat, so unless you're a vegetarian, I would add that to your diet--especially beef. Also good--lentils, beans, tofu and spinach. Make sure any cereals you eat are iron-fortified.

I had iron-deficiency anemia in the past, and found that iron supplements helped, but it takes a while to rebuild your body's stores.

[Anonymous]

Blackstrap molasses and some dried fruits like apricots are also good- I've started using molasses instead of syrup or honey when I have pancakes or cornbread (yep, I'm southern!). Cooking in a cast iron pan also helps a little- some of the iron leaches into your food. Not enough to make a big difference, but I think every bit helps.

[Anonymous]

Definitely red meat. There are other sources, as PPs have named, but the body absorbs the iron from these less well than from meat (it's about the type of iron, heme vs. non-heme). They can't hurt, of course, but I wouldn't expect to see a huge difference from those sources.

My iron was also low, as were my platelets, so I made sure to have red meat a few times a week. I was a vegetarian beforehand, so it was weird, but worth it. I did notice an improvement in my energy level.

But heck, if I had that much maternity leave, I might contemplate taking it early, too, at least once you hit 32 weeks or so.

Good luck and hang in there. It's tough to feel that exhausted.

[Anonymous]

Peanuts (so peanut butter), potatoes, spinach, oj, red meat, you can look up a list of foods rich in iron.

[jaber20]

Thank you all!

[Anonymous]

The supplements definitely gave me more energy. I took one pill a day, and the fatigue was less almost immediately.

I asked the OB about getting enough iron from my diet, but she said that if your blood levels register low, you need more iron than you can get from just eating iron rich foods, hence the supplement.

That said, getting more red meat and eating it with iron-rich plant-based foods like kale and beans should still help. A little animal-based iron helps you absorb the plant-based iron more effectively.

[Anonymous]

Caffeine hinders iron absorption. Be sure to not take supplements too soon before or after something with caffeine.

[Anonymous]

Also, calcium interferes with iron absorbtion. I wish my OB had told me this. For a while I was taking my iron supplement in the morning along with my bowl of cereal.

[Anonymous]

Floradix is a great supplement--it's a delicious german syrup made with berries. My midwife had me on it.

Eat citrus or tomatos with iron rich foods to increase absorbtion.

[Anonymous]

Clams, mussels, and oddly, Cheerios are high in iron. Make sure you're getting enough vitamin C, or else you won't be able to absorb it. Also drink red raspberry leaf tea. That will also help.

[Anonymous]

Dark leafy greens - spinach, kale, collards...I came up with high iron levels on a routine physical a few years ago, and the doc told me to cut back on red meat. Except I rarely eat red meat, but eat tons of greens!