Question

Which of these combinations would provide the recommended amount of iron per day during pregnancy?

Option 1: Spinach and oranges
Option 2: Chicken and broccoli
Option 3: Red meat and citrus fruits
Option 4: Lentils and tomatoes

Answer 1

During pregnancy, a woman needs 27 mg of iron daily. Options 1 (spinach and oranges) and 4 (lentils and tomatoes) both provide good sources of iron combined with vitamin C which aids in iron absorption, making them suitable combinations to meet the recommended daily iron intake during pregnancy.

Step-by-step explanation:

During pregnancy, women need the most iron at 27 mg daily to prevent deficiencies such as anemia and to support the development of the baby. Iron can be sourced from various foods, including animal and non-animal products. The combinations of foods provided in the question each include sources of iron, but they must also be paired with foods that are high in vitamin C to enhance iron absorption from the intestine.

Among the options provided:

• Option 1: Spinach and oranges are a good combination as spinach provides iron while oranges are high in vitamin C, promoting better iron absorption.
• Option 4: Lentils and tomatoes are another effective combination as lentils are rich in iron and tomatoes contain vitamin C.
• While option 2 (chicken and broccoli) and option 3 (red meat and citrus fruits) also contain iron-rich foods, they either lack sufficient quantities of vitamin C or are less specific about the type of citrus fruit used, which may affect the iron absorption rate.