IRON IS IMPORTANT FOR BUILDING HEALTHY MUSCLE & BLOOD, & BEAUTIFUL GLOSS ON YOUR SKIN, ESSENTIAL FOR EVERYONE, PREGANT & BREASTFEEDING MOMMY**~ ♥ SOURCE OF IRON*: Soy Beans, Beans, Blackstrap Molasses, Lentil, Spinach, Tofu, Cereal (that has been fortified with irons), and Pumpkin Seed, iron supplements***. “Anemia is a condition in which too few red blood cells are in circulation. Because red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the organs and cells of the body, a deficiency of red blood cells can be life–threatening.”* = INCREASE ABSORPTION OF IRON! Good source of vitamin C food are: Orange, Kiwi, Sweet Peppers, Strawberry, Cantaloupe, Brussels sprouts, 100% vitamin C juice. "..Fortunately, many vegetables, such as broccoli and bok choy, which are high in iron, are also high in vitamin C so that the iron in these foods is very well absorbed. Commonly eaten combinations, such as beans and tomato sauce or stir-fried tofu and broccoli, also result in generous levels of iron absorption."* WHAT TO AVOID? Avoid and decrease TEA, COFFEE, SODA, WINE, ALCOHOL, because it compete and deplete iron from your body. Dairy also compete with iron absorption, if you can not avoid completely on dairy, at least try to eat them few hours apart. “Both calcium and tannins (found in tea and coffee) reduce iron absorption. Tea, coffee, and calcium supplements should be used several hours before a meal that is high in iron”* ♥ “Taking in adequate iron before pregnancy can help prevent anemia in both mothers and infants. Iron deficiency is more common in women of child-bearing age, especially during pregnancy. The body's need for iron increases almost 10-fold during pregnancy and breast-feeding, and iron deficiency in the first trimester results in significantly poorer fetal growth, nerve development, and behavior in offspring, compared with what happens when mothers have adequate iron. In mothers with iron deficiency, exclusive breast-feeding often results in iron deficiency in infants. Without adequate iron stores before conception, iron supplementation may be necessary during pregnancy” ***Be Sure to check with your Doctor before taking iron supplement or multi-vitamins. IRON SUPPLEMENT ARE TOXIC IF MORE IS TAKEN THAN RECOMMENDED, PLEASE KEEP THEM AWAY FROM YOUR CHILD. As demonstrated in a 1986 study from the American Dietetic Cooking Tips: Based on studying done by American Dietitic Assoicaton, cooking foods in a cast iron skillet can add significant amounts of iron to your food. *To read more. Source: 1) http://www.nutritionmd.org/consumers/hematology/iron_anemia_nutrition.html 2) http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/iron.htm **Disclaimer: The advice given here is for educational purposes only. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider. VIVA VEGETARIAN~
