Sources of iron during pregnancy

I am a vegetarian, but since I have been pregnant all I can think about is meat! I am finding this quite alarming, and suppose it means that my body is short of iron. What good vegetable sources are there other than spinach? I heard someone say that you have to eat a truckload of spinach to get your daily iron requirement! Is that true?

Craving meat could definitely be a sign that you are short of iron, but since it is also a protein it could also mean that you short of good sources of protein. All animal meats including chicken and duck are good sources of iron. But if you are willing to eat fish, you can also get iron from oysters and sardines. It is best to eat the oysters cooked while you are pregnant.

Many vegetables also contain iron, but in small amounts and it is not easy to digest. Good vegetable sources include:

– Jersalem artichokes
– Potato skins
– Pumpkin
– Spinach
– Seaweed
– Cooked legumes such as lentils and beans
– Soya products
– Carob
– Molasses
– Dried fruit

Try to take your iron rich foods with a source of vitamin C. Also avoid taking caffeine or calcium rich foods when you take your iron sources, in order to digest the most iron that you can.

However, as a vegetarian you may have to consider taking an iron supplement, especially as the pregnancy progresses. Discuss this option with your doctor.