About 15 to 25 percent of women around the World have Iron Deficiency, which is also called Anemia during Pregnancy. Iron helps in building new Red Blood Cells and helps them to carry Oxygen to the Baby. During your pregnancy, your body demand for Iron goes higher, and to cope with the increasing demand in blood supply.
Many women go through their entire pregnancy without attaining the minimum required intake of iron. To fulfill the demand you need 27 mg per day during pregnancy. The total iron intake during pregnancy should not be less than 1000 mg.
Impact of Iron Deficiency Anemia
During Pregnancy, Iron-deficiency Anemia has a negative impact like Premature Labor, low birth-weight, intrauterine growth retardation, birth asphyxia, and neonatal anemia.
Iron Deficiency Affected Mothers
Experience Breathing Difficulties, Perinatal Infection, Pre-eclampsia, Bleeding, Fainting, Tiredness, Palpitations, and Sleep Difficulties.
Women who have Iron Deficiency in their First Trimester
Are at more Risk of a Premature Baby and affect Baby Growth. Therefore, we would advise you to include the below listed healthy foods that are full of iron in your daily life. If, still you are not able to meet the requirement, consult your doctor for your Iron Supplements.
Vegetables and Fruits Full of Iron
- Dark leafy greens like beet, spinach, and swiss chard
- Baked potato with skin
- Broccoli
- Beans, peas, and lentils
- Raspberries
- Sauerkraut
- Brussels sprouts
Whole Grain Foods
Fortified whole-grain cereals, Grains, and Bread, enriched Cereals and Bread, Wheat Germ.
Protein Foods
- Cooked Mussels, Clams, Oysters, Beef, Lamb, Chicken, Fish, Eggs, Tofu.
- Cooked Dried Beans, Peas, Lentils. Hummus.
- Pumpkin seeds, cashews, pine nuts, hazelnuts.
- Unsweetened fortified soy beverage.
- Instant Breakfast or Ovaltine added to milk.
