Do the phytates in tofu prevent the absorption of iron?
Q I noticed you listed tofu as a main source of iron, however, I have been reading a lot about the fact that the phytates in tofu prevent the absorption of iron. Do you know anything about this? A If you are consuming a wide range of whole foods, including a moderate to high amount of foods that are good sources of iron (and accompanying them with a source of vitamin C), getting sufficient iron should not be a problem. The phytates in tofu will not affect overall iron balance, and will be countered somewhat by the enhanced iron absorption due to the presence of vitamin C.