Do Carrots Deplete Iron In Infants?

Up until around 6 months of age, babies have adequate iron stores to meet their needs. After 6 months, they need additional iron in foods or fortified formula. Breast milk contains less iron than formula but the iron it contains is better absorbed than the iron in formula. Some vegetables contain substances that interfere with iron absorption, which is why heme, or animal sources, of iron absorb better than vegetable sources. Carrots contain moderate amounts of substances that could interfere with iron absorption, but also contain substances that could enhance it.

Amounts of Iron

Babies aged 7 to 12 months need 8 mg of iron per day, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Carrots don’t contain large amounts of iron; a jar of strained carrots in commercial baby food contains around 0.5 mg per jar. One jar supplies around 6 percent of your baby’s daily needs.

Factors Interfering with Absorption

Many vegetables contain oxalates or phytates that interfere with iron absorption, but carrots do not contain large amounts of these substances. Although carrots do contain oxalate, they contain moderate rather than large amounts, registered dietitian Helen O’Connor reports on the website of the Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria Foundation. Vegetables containing very large amounts of oxalate include okra, leeks, spinach and beet greens. Calcium found in dairy products can also inhibit iron absorption, but most formulas contain extra iron to ensure adequate iron intake in infants.

Factors Increasing Absorption

Carrots do contain beta-carotene, which helps produce vitamin A. Beta-carotene significantly increases iron absorption rather than depleting it, the Iron Disorders Institute explains. Vitamin C, also found in many vegetables, aids in iron absorption as well. Carrots do not contain large amounts of vitamin C; one jar of baby food supplies 6 mg of vitamin C. Babies between 7 and 12 months need 50 mg of vitamin C per day. Green vegetables such as cabbage, red and green bell peppers and broccoli contain more vitamin C than carrots.

Considerations

Carrots do not interfere with iron absorption as much as some other vegetables. If your baby likes carrots, you can serve them without worrying about their negative effect on his iron levels. If your baby eats large amounts of carrots, his skin may turn yellow from the beta-carotene, but this startling effect has no health consequences.