Pregnancy: Iron

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Why Is Iron Important?

Iron is very important to your blood. Iron is one mineral that makes up hemoglobin. Hemoglobin carries oxygen from our lungs to all the cells in our body. There are 2 different types of iron found in our diets: Heme Iron and Non-heme Iron.

Heme Iron

Heme iron is found in meats, chicken, and fish. This kind of iron is taken into your body easily.

Non-heme Iron

Non-heme iron come from both meats and plants and is not taken into the body easily. Other foods like vitamin C can help your body absorb more non-heme iron.

Coffee, tea, calcium, and fiber all make it harder for your body to take in non-heme iron.

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