Can I take iron tablets with food?
Herein, how long should you wait to eat after taking an iron supplement?
In most cases, the best time to take iron supplements is about one hour before or two hours after meals. Iron supplements are best taken with water on an empty stomach. There is a long list of foods, such as coffee, tea or milk, which interfere with the absorption of ferrous iron.
Then, what should I eat while taking iron pills?
Do not take iron supplements and antacids or calcium supplements at the same time. It is best to space doses of these 2 products 1 to 2 hours apart, to get the full benefit from each medicine or dietary supplement.
Precautions
- Cheese and yogurt.
- Eggs.
- Milk.
- Spinach.
- Tea or coffee.
- Whole-grain breads and cereals and bran.
You shouldn't take iron supplements with milk, caffeine, antacids, or calcium supplements. These can decrease the amount of iron that is absorbed. Try to take your iron supplement with vitamin C (for example, a glass of orange juice) to increase absorption.