However, pregnant women should not take an iron supplement during the first trimester unless prescribed by their physician. Nursing mothers who are healthy and eat a well-balanced diet may not need an iron supplement. In any event, do not take megadoses during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and do not give your baby an iron supplement without first checking with the doctor. One cup of prune juice contains 10.5 milligrams of iron, a cup of cooked chickpeas nearly 7 milligrams, and a cup of cooked spinach 4.2 milligrams. Cooking in iron pots and pans greatly increases the amount of iron in your food.
Humans have trouble absorbing iron, even from foods rich in the mineral.
A person with normal iron levels will probably absorb only about 10 percent of the iron available in food. A person with an iron deficiency, however, will absorb from 20 to 30 percent of the available iron. Vitamin C increases the body's ability to absorb iron. All rights reserved.