Best iron-rich foods for pregnant women

If you are anemic and pregnant, or at risk of becoming anemic, iron supplements may well be your first solution. But before you turn to iron supplements, remember that supplements are harder to absorb for the body, and may cause side effects like constipation and nausea, and for some women even diarrhea. What are the best iron-rich foods for pregnant women?

Iron rich foods

Here are some iron-rich foods that every pregnant woman can incorporate into their diet. Vegetarians, of course, should skip the meat but if you are a veggie (like me!) than you do need to pay additional attention to your iron intake. Look at the herbal list below as well, as it will be particularly suitable for those who are pregnant and vegetarian.

Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach. Beets. Artichokes. Dried fruits including prunes, apricots, and raisins. Egg yolks are very rich in iron. Kelp. Look for foods that have been fortified with iron, such as some cereals. This is much like supplementation, though. Lentils, chickpeas, beans (including soybeans). Meats including oysters, heart and tongue are rich in iron.

And if you want to boost your iron with herbs, here are some options for you:

Nettle leaf tea is not only rich in iron, but also in many, many other minerals and vitamins. It is a great all round pregnancy health tea. Dandelion root. Yellow dock root can be turned into a tincture or syrup to boost iron levels. You should consult a herbalist for the correct dosage, and you can also buy the tincture of syrup from them. Parsley.

Keep in mind as well that coffee and non-herbal teas can deplete iron. They should be avoided by women who are at risk of anemia or already have pregnancy anemia. If you are pregnant, you are already likely to be avoiding coffee anyway. You should not exceed 200 mg of caffeine daily.