Okay, here’s the twist. Some foods steal your iron’s thunder. Coffee and tea (especially black tea) have compounds called tannins that block absorption. So don’t wash down your steak with a big mug of Earl Grey. That’s like hiring a bodyguard and then sending him on vacation.
Calcium can also be a traitor. A glass of milk with your iron-rich meal? The calcium and iron fight for attention in your gut. Separate them by at least an hour. Have your cheese plate as a midday snack, not with your stew.
Also, whole grains and legumes have phytic acid which sounds like a villain from a sci-fi movie. It binds to iron. Solution: soak your beans or toast your bread. Simple fixes for a simple problem.
Iron-Rich Foods: Sources and Absorption Tips
