What is good for pregnant women to take iron supplements

Release time : 09/06/2025 09:30:03

Many pregnant mothers, after becoming pregnant, may experience significant nausea and poor appetite, without particularly focusing on dietary adjustments. As a result, during prenatal check-ups in the middle trimester, various deficiencies may be discovered.

A mom online is complaining, "At 5 months pregnant, today I went to take a blood test and the result showed iron deficiency anemia. I eat plenty, so what do other moms usually eat?" Our special guest expert told expectant mothers that during pregnancy, the need for iron in a pregnant woman is 1.5 times normal. So after the early pregnancy reactions subside and the diet returns to normal, you should eat more foods rich in iron.

What to eat during pregnancy to increase iron intake. Most pregnant mothers have only a slight iron deficiency, which can be corrected by increasing the intake of iron-rich foods.

There are also specific considerations when selecting food types, cooking methods, and ways of eating.

First, pregnant women should eat more foods rich in iron from animal blood and liver. They also contain other trace elements such as zinc and selenium, which can effectively promote the absorption of iron in the body.

Generally speaking, foods in black color are also rich in blood-nourishing and iron-enriching properties, such as black beans, wood ear fungus, kelp, and seaweed.

Vegetables also contain a lot of iron, such as carrots which are high in vitamin B and C, and also contain beta-carotene, which is very beneficial for blood-reducing. Soup made from carrots is an excellent blood-reducing soup drink.

We know that spinach also contains a lot of iron and carotene so it can be considered an important food for blood-building.

Liver and spinach are high in iron. Secondly, foods that help iron absorption should also be consumed. Fruits and vegetables not only provide iron but also contain Vitamin C that can promote the absorption of iron in the intestine.

Therefore, while eating rich iron-containing foods, it is advisable to also consume more fruits and vegetables, as they can also play a significant role in iron supplementation.

It is best for expectant mothers to consume eggs and meat together, which can improve the utilization rate of iron in eggs.

Or eating eggs and tomatoes at the same time, the Vitamin C in tomatoes can improve the absorption rate of iron.

Eating foods high in Vitamin C with Iron can promote absorption of the mineral. Third, use iron cookware for cooking food. Use iron pans and iron knives to cook food. These traditional cookware can generate small pieces of iron that dissolve into the food, forming soluble iron salts that are easily absorbed by the intestines.

While supplementing iron in the diet, it is also important to ensure that protein intake is adequate.

Because the production of hemoglobin not only needs iron, but also protein. Only by supplementing enough protein can we improve the effect of iron supplementation.

Pregnant women supplement iron with what medicines? Some pregnant women have a weak constitution before pregnancy and are prone to anemia, which is easily exacerbated during pregnancy.

In such cases, relying solely on dietary iron supplementation is insufficient; instead, it is advisable to appropriately take iron supplements that are safe and suitable for one's needs.

However, it is essential to use iron supplements scientifically and not blindly.

First, you should go to the hospital for a blood test. If the results show that you have anemia symptoms, the doctor will give you some iron supplements and tell you to take 60-120 milligrams or more daily.

Generally, iron preparations can be classified into two main categories according to their source: ferrous compounds and iron chelates.

In the early stage, iron preparations were mainly composed of iron compounds such as ferrous sulfate. The absorption rate of these iron compounds was generally low and they also tended to cause constipation.

Iron-chelating amino acid (protein) preparations have a high absorption rate and are less likely to cause constipation.

Dain's right-sided sugar ferrous oxide suspension has a good taste, and it is currently the best iron supplement.

To ensure the iron is fully absorbed, take an iron supplement on an empty stomach. Water or orange juice can be used to dissolve the medication (Vitamin C helps with absorption).

Some pregnant women may experience discomfort from the stomach when taking iron supplements on an empty stomach. If you feel uncomfortable, you can take your iron supplements with food or at the same time as your meals.

It is worth noting that both types of iron supplements can be dangerously overdosed, so expectant mothers must strictly follow the doctor's prescribed dosage.

Is it necessary for pregnant women to drink high-iron and high-calcium formula milk? Many pregnant mothers mention seeing some high-iron and high-calcium formula milk that can be taken. On the surface, drinking two cups of such milk a day can help with both calcium and iron supplementation.

However, experts tell us that high calcium can actually inhibit the absorption of iron. When calcium and iron are taken together, the absorption of iron is reduced by 20-50%. From this perspective, these types of formulas are not suitable for pregnant women to choose.

*The medical information provided in this article is for reference only.

In case of discomfort, it is advisable to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment are based on the clinical examinations conducted by a doctor.