A nurse is assisting a client who has hypertension with selecting meals. The client reports following Islamic dietary laws. Which of the following is the appropriate menu selection for this client?

A. Cooking in a stainless-steel skillet increases the amount of iron in the food: Stainless steel does not leach iron into food. Cast iron cookware may increase iron content in food, but stainless steel has no significant impact on dietary iron levels and should not be relied upon for supplementation.
B. Drinking orange juice with iron supplements can decrease absorption: Orange juice contains vitamin C, which enhances non-heme iron absorption. It helps convert ferric iron to its more absorbable ferrous form, so this combination actually improves iron absorption rather than reducing it.
C. Drinking iced tea with meals can increase the amount of iron absorbed: Iced tea contains tannins, which bind to iron and reduce its absorption. Consuming tea with meals interferes with the body’s ability to absorb dietary non-heme iron, particularly from plant-based sources.
D. Fish and poultry are primary sources of heme iron: Heme iron is found in animal sources like fish and poultry and is more readily absorbed by the body than non-heme iron from plant sources. Including these foods supports iron intake in clients with iron-deficiency anemia.

A. "You should limit your consumption of seafood to avoid exposure to mercury. Certain fish contain high levels of mercury, which can negatively impact fetal brain development. Pregnant individuals are advised to limit consumption of high-mercury seafood and choose safer options like salmon, shrimp, and cod, keeping weekly intake within recommended limits.
B. "You should not eat hard cheeses, such as Romano, Parmesan, and Asiago, to avoid listeriosis."
Hard cheeses are typically safe to eat during pregnancy because they are low in moisture and unlikely to support Listeria growth. It is soft, unpasteurized cheeses like brie and queso fresco that pose a higher listeriosis risk.
C. "You should decrease your salt intake to avoid preeclampsia." There is no strong evidence that reducing salt intake prevents preeclampsia. Pregnant individuals should follow normal dietary guidelines unless otherwise directed by a healthcare provider due to existing hypertension or kidney conditions.
D. "You should start using artificial sweeteners to decrease the risk of gestational diabetes."
Artificial sweeteners do not prevent gestational diabetes and some types may have unclear safety profiles in pregnancy. Emphasis should be placed on balanced nutrition and managing total carbohydrate intake rather than replacing sugar with artificial alternatives.