Iron levels and cocoa powder?

Question

I’m currently 30 weeks pregnant and have been feeling really rubbish for a while. I’ve had some blood tests and theyve said I’m low in iron and anemic. 
Ive been put on iron tablets and the doctors have told me to eat lots of iron rich foods. 
My lovely grandma has told me I need to drink cocoa and has gone out and bought me a load of cocoa powder (bless her, shes trying to help and I’m very grateful). She said back in her day cocoa powder mixed with hot milk was a cure for anemia. 
However my midwives and also google, has said that dairy and milk are the worst things for iron as it stops the body absorbing iron? 
Does anyone know if this old wives tale from my Grandma is right about cocoa powder? I feel bad that shes gone and bought me loads and dont want to waste it lol but I dont want it if it doesnt help or makes my iron levels worse! She keeps phoning me asking am I drinking it yet lol.

Answer

Yes dairy isn't great for iron absorption. Also hot cocoa (assuming that is what she got) isn't high in iron as it is usually Uber processed and has lots of added sugar. Very dark chocolate does have iron and herring a bar or 2 or good quality very dark chocolate yes can help with iron. So if you like chocolate go splurge on expensive high quality chocolate and have a few squares a day. I run anemic in general and worse during pregnancy and especially post partum so am always watching my iron intake. If you need an iron boost a kale salad with a lemon juice vingarette with a piece of dish or red meat is great. When eating avoid milk, coffee, tea, or wine as it limits absorption. And guava is amazing at helping up iron absorption. But ya maybe just say thanks grandma it is getting better just to save her feelings but no the cocoa isn't gonna do much. Eat iron with things that have vitamin c for best results and avoid dairy when eating the iron foods.

Answer

Milk is not good for absorbing iron. VitaminC like a cup or orange juice will help absorbed iron.

Answer

100% cocoa is very good for you, but I don't think I've heard it affects iron. 
The reason you may see that milk isn't good for iron is because calcium and iron aren't absorbed well if you take them at the same time. So the idea is the calcium in the milk will affect iron absorption. 
Milk is good to have for sure, just don't take your iron supplements at the same time as drinking milk. 
I would definitely take the cocoa your grandma purchased (assuming it's 100% cocoa and not a hot chocolate mix, which is packed with sugar). And take your iron supplements a couple of hours later.

Iron levels and cocoa powder?

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