Which statement describes appropriate iron-rich foods for toddlers and how absorption can be enhanced?

• A. Lean meats, fortified cereals, beans/lentils, spinach; pair with vitamin C-rich foods to enhance absorption.
• B. Spinach is the only iron source; vitamin C has no effect on absorption.
• C. Dairy products are the primary iron source for toddlers.
• D. Iron absorption is unaffected by vitamin C.

Answer: (B)

Maximizing iron intake in toddlers relies on combining iron-rich foods with vitamin C at meals. Toddlers get iron from both heme iron in animal foods and non-heme iron from plant sources, but non-heme iron absorption is boosted by vitamin C. The best statement reflects a practical, balanced approach: include lean meats, iron-fortified cereals, beans or lentils, and even spinach, then pair these iron-containing foods with vitamin C–rich foods such as citrus, peppers, strawberries, or tomatoes to enhance absorption. This helps ensure adequate iron status since non-heme iron is more readily absorbed when vitamin C is present.

The other options misstate the facts: spinach isn’t the only iron source, and vitamin C does affect absorption by improving it. Dairy isn’t the primary iron source for toddlers, and saying that iron absorption isn’t affected by vitamin C ignores a key factor in how non-heme iron is absorbed.