Question

Which meal provides the most absorbable iron?

a.Toasted cheese sandwich, celery sticks, tomato slices, and a grape drink
b.Oatmeal, whole wheat toast, jelly, and low-fat milk
c.Black bean soup, wheat crackers, ambrosia (orange sections, coconut, and pecans), and prunes
d.Red beans and rice, cornbread, mixed greens, and decaffeinated tea

Answer 1

Option c, black bean soup with orange sections and other ingredients, is likely to provide the most absorbable iron due to its content of iron-rich legumes and vitamin C, which increases iron absorption.

Step-by-step explanation:

The meal that provides the most absorbable iron is the one that contains iron-rich foods coupled with vitamin C to enhance iron absorption. Iron is found in high amounts in red meat, legumes (beans), and dark green vegetables. Meal option c, black bean soup, wheat crackers, ambrosia (orange sections, coconut, and pecans), and prunes, offers a good amount of iron from legumes and is accompanied by vitamin C-rich citrus, which enhances iron absorption. Hence, option c is likely to provide the most absorbable iron, as it combines a good source of non-heme iron (from black beans) with vitamin C (from orange sections), which is known to significantly increase iron absorption.