Dr. Hilary’s Lifestyle Changes To Support Healthy Iron Levels

• Focus on iron-rich foods, including meat, fish, dark leafy greens, brown rice, beans, nuts and seeds and iron-fortified grains.

• Avoid consuming foods that block iron absorption within two hours of an iron supplement or eating iron-rich foods¹. These include black tea, coffee, cocoa, and calcium-rich foods such as dairy, almonds, and broccoli.

• Increase foods that boost iron absorption¹, including foods high in vitamin C and beta carotene. These vitamins are found in yellow, orange and red fruits and vegetables, such as grapefruit, oranges, bell peppers, beets, carrots, squash, and tomatoes.

• Talk to your doctor if you are taking acid blocking medications (proton pump inhibitors, antacids), as they impair iron absorption.

• Heal the gut lining to improve absorption of iron in the small intestine.

• Blood work should be done in each trimester, as well as six to eight weeks postpartum to test your ferritin level. Aim for an optimal ferritin level of 70-100 ug/L.