BOX 6 • IRON ABSORPTION
Iron from meat, liver and other offal, poultry, fish and breastmilk is well absorbed in the gut. Iron from other milks, eggs and all plant foods is poorly absorbed, but other foods in the same meal affect the absorption of this type of iron.
• Meat, fish and vitamin C-rich foods (fresh fruits and vegetables) increase the absorption of this type of iron so more is absorbed.
• Some foods, such as tea, coffee and wholegrain cereals, contain ‘antinutrients’ (e.g. phytate) that decrease the absorption of this type of iron.
• The best way to make sure that we get enough of each nutrient and enough energy is to eat a mixture of foods. Topic 3 explains how to combine foods to make good meals. Appendix 1 lists sources of each nutrient (see Tables 1 and 3) and the nutrient content of different foods (see Table 2).
• Different types of foods