Selfsufficientish.com

Hi

I was just wondering if anyone had any bright ideas for boosting your iron levels, naturally please?

I have been to see the Midwife this morning, she wanted me to take tablets but I am not keen (well unless I have too). So I am going to try and give in a boost via my diet. What a great excuse to make a start on the spinach in the garden, washed down with a glass of Orange juice. I am also going to add more green leaves, and pulses as we can't really afford red meat!!

Thanks Nikki

Molasses is a really rich source, take a couple of spoonfuls and you're halfway there for the day.

And remember it's perfectly normal to have lower iron levels when you are pregnant, don't let them turn a molehill into a mountain.

Drinking fruit juice with your meals will hep you absorb the iron in your food. I used to be anemic and a big bowl of cream of broccoli soup has always worked as a quick fix for me.... I used to have it during my period and it would make my period shorter.

Basically eating as much veg as you can, and a fortified breakfast cereal (if you eat that kind of thing) will really help, especially if your levels are so low it makes you weak.

Thanks ladies!!

I would normally take what they say with a pinch of salt, but I have been so tired. Ie sleeping for three hours in the afternoon, just so I can feel normal.

Sorry to sound stupid Clara, but what form do Molasses come in? I can not recall seeing them anywhere other than horse feed

add nettles to soup or stews,this gives a good amount of iron,i chop mine up in the food processor and add half a cup full,

Molasses is a thick dark goop sold in jars! It's the nutrient rich "waste" leftover after white sugar has been refined from the cane.

I think roundabout 11 weeks is usually when I have felt tiredest during pregnancy too, perfectly normal to feel knackered now - nap and enjoy it!

Don't forget that you need vit C to help you absorb the iron so drink orange juice etc or eat vit C rich fruit such as citrus and Kiwi fruit. Dried apricots are high in iron and believe it or not there's also iron in curry and chocolate - well the coca powder bit anyway! Brown rice, beetroot, avocado, oats, tofu, rye, soya beans, walnuts, quinoa, sesame seeds, mushrooms, olives, cashew nuts, mung beans, wheat and pumpkin seeds are also sources. All that said - my midwife told me to drink guiness!

I was knackered from about 6-8 weeks right through till E was born... I had to have a nap everyday or I was really unable to function. I was tested for diabetes but no-one ever mentioned anemia... maybe it had something to do with it.

You could always turn to the bottle... Floradix from the health shop or as I did home made stout... hubby made it special, blood was great and the stout was a great way to take a tonic

Nikki
If you want red meat then pop down to the co-op at the Rodbourne Arms (Cheney Manor Road/Whitworth Road junction) early any morning. They always have meat reduced then. I regularly stock up my freezer from there.

Cheaper than Floradix.

Zoe

I'm also anaemic and I've been told not to drink tea after or with a meal as it prevents the body absorbing iron.

Oh, yes, I forgot about that. Tannin stops your body from absorbing iron so red wines are usually out too.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Today I have been stood next to the spinach patch munching, with a glass of OJ in hand lol.

Jinwin and Annpan thanks for the Tannin tip, I have cut my tea drinking right down.

Zoe thanks for the co-op tip, what time do you normal go?

Milims OMG this baby is going to be a chocoholic, ha ha ha!!

Glad to say that I am feeling much better and brighter today

Glad to hear you are feeling a bit better. I also suffer iron deficiency so know what it's like. Get to the Co-op as early as possible. Eight o'clock if you can.

Cheers
Zoe