Iron Deficiancy

 On my last visit with my midwife, I was told the results of my most recent blood test.
Everything was excellent - except my iron. Even though I was aware that pregnant women are often iron deficient, my results came as a bit of a shock. On the blood test I had prior to the last, I was told my iron was excellent - above average for my situation. I wore my successful iron results like a badge, proud to know that I was one of the few whose iron was plentiful. So, as you can tell, I was a little disappointed in my latest results. How did I go from iron super mama to this? I can only assume it's because this sweet little baby is getting bigger, and demanding more iron as it grows. So, I've decided to spoil her with as much iron I can get. In the words of Vince Vaughn in the movie The Breakup -
"Whatever my baby wants, my baby gets"

I've decided to share with you my tips and advice for raising your iron levels. I work in a health food store, and am blessed to get some helpful and diverse advice from all the ladies in the vitamin department. They have some great advice and recommendations - some unconventional, and some quite common, but all are equally as helpful and holistic. (Now that's my cup of tea!)
Here are a few things that are aiding me in my journey back to iron super mama!

1.) Blackstrap Molasses - One tablespoon of this sweet and syrupy treat contains a whopping 19% or your recommended daily iron intake. It's also nutrient dense, containing many other vitamins and minerals, including folate which aids in the absorption of iron. How awesome is that? Now, you may be wondering how you would go about consuming or incorporating the molasses into your diet. Some take it straight up - one well rounded tablespoon down the hatch. But, if you are like me, you may not find that to be very appetizing. Thankfully, one of my coworkers suggested a different way to get a daily dose. She recommended mixing one tablespoon in a cup of hot water and almond milk. Basically, it results in a hot, creamy, sugary drink that reminds me of hot chocolate. I HIGHLY recommend it. Especially if you have a sweet tooth like me. (And don't worry about the high sugar content in molasses - it's actually low on the glycemic index, meaning it won't spike insulin.) I like to make my iron rich drink with TWO tablespoons of molasses, which provides me with 38% of my iron intake for the day. You can use as little or as much as you like, and use whichever milk you wish. However, try to choose a milk option that contains minimal calcium content, because calcium actually interferes with the bodies ability to absorb iron. Your best bet is to stay away from dairy and rice milk, and opt for a soy or almond milk option when making this drink. Cheers!


 to be continued...

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