Pregnancy anemia

To maximize the iron absorption of food, here are some recommendations:

• Eat in the same meal a little meat and vegetables rich in iron.
• Take high vitamin C tablets or eat foods rich in vitamin C along with iron-rich foods
• Take iron tablets at mealtimes.
• Cook your food in cast iron pans.
• Some foods affect the absorption of iron: coffee, tea, yolk, milk, fiber and soy protein.

Iron-rich foods

• liver and other meats, especially red meat
• seafood and fish (eg sardines)
• dried fruits such as apricots, plums, figs and raisins
• nuts
• legumes, especially Lima beans
• green leafy vegetables such as spinach, parsley, asparagus and broccoli
• the dark molasses
• whole grain cereals

Foods rich in vitamin B12

• meat
• Fish
• Poultry
• seafood
• milk and cheese
• eggs

A Swedish study found that women who took iron and vitamin supplements were significantly less likely to give birth before 38 weeks of pregnancy (6% to 9% of births) than women who did not take supplements (11%). % to 13% of births).

Health Canada

If you take iron tablets

It can be dangerous to take iron tablets without first talking to your doctor. In addition, if you take iron before seeing your doctor, it will be difficult to diagnose anemia and its underlying causes.

• Take them at mealtimes. Go step by step. Start with one capsule a day for three to five days, then two tablets a day until you take the amount recommended by your doctor.
• Increase the amount of fiber in your food and drink lots of water to avoid constipation. If you have problems with iron tablets, talk to your doctor. They will advise you on another formula or another trademark.
• Take care to store your iron tablets in a safe place. Iron poisoning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children because iron tablets often look like candies.

Source: College of Family Physicians of Canada, Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx & D), Health Canada, The Anemia Institute.