Tips for getting more iron?

AbsoluteLM

Hi guys! I just can't seem to hit 100% of my daily iron needs and I am a bit anemic according to my hematologist. Aside from taking iron supplements, how do you meet your iron goals each day? I've added fortified cereals to my diet, but I don't eat a lot of meat. I'd love to hear all of your suggestions!

Thanks!

Need2Exerc1se

Other than meat and fortified cereals, dark leafy greens, beans, dried fruit are pretty good sources.

MelaniaTrump

You are already taking an iron supplement? Careful... Iron can be toxic in large amounts. Please go by what your doctor told you to take and stick to that. Take iron with Vitamin C foods for better absorption.
For most women, the amount in a daily multivitamin is plenty. The iron in cereals is the same powdered "stuff" you would find in a vitamin. Added to cereals.

AbsoluteLM

I am not taking an iron supplement yet, Janet. I'd like to try introducing more iron into my diet naturally first before taking the supplements. I hear they can have some unpleasant side effects, so if I can get the iron I need from food, I will be a happy camper! Thank you so much for your input -- you are so right about too much iron being toxic, which is a reason I've shied away from the pills.

AbsoluteLM

Need2Exerc1se wrote: »

Other than meat and fortified cereals, dark leafy greens, beans, dried fruit are pretty good sources.

Thank you! I hadn't thought of beans or dried fruit.

earlnabby

AbsoluteLM wrote: »

Hi guys! I just can't seem to hit 100% of my daily iron needs and I am a bit anemic according to my hematologist. Aside from taking iron supplements, how do you meet your iron goals each day? I've added fortified cereals to my diet, but I don't eat a lot of meat. I'd love to hear all of your suggestions!

Thanks!

Whatever iron rich foods you eat, make sure you are not eating them with dairy. Calcium prevents the proper absorption so those fortified cereals should be eaten dry or with non calcium enriched milk substitutes. Legumes, especially black beans, are good.

Also, it is best to get a variety of heme and non heme iron. (Heme comes from meat and non heme from fruits and veggies)

JustinAnimal

Beets! They're my new favorite food. In addition to being amazing roasted (and on one particular salad that my wife makes), they have plenty of iron, folate (so really good for pregnant ladies), and they clean your blood and liver (for you excessive drinkers out there).

socajam

I haven't eaten meat for over 25 years, and can only remember a few times when I felt the need to take an iron supplement - one of the best being Floradix:

Floradix is a liquid iron supplement. Floradix is made mostly from fruit concentrates, carrots, ocean kelp, fennel, nettles, spinach, blossom, African mallow and quick roots. It also contains water, blackcurrent juice, cherry, blackberry, red beet, lemon, apple, grape, carob extract and honey. Other ingredients are rosehip soft extract, wheat germ extract and yeast, according to goodnessdirect.co.uk.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/about_5756313_floradix.html

For me I eat a lot of foods with iron included - all kinds of beans, lentils, love chick peas, eat it practically every day in my smoothie or used as a form of scrambled eggs (without the egg of course). All of the darkest green vegetables. Just had some blood work done and my iron was fine.

One of the reasons why I love Floradix it does not make you constipated, like other iron supplements.

earlnabby

AbsoluteLM wrote: »

I am not taking an iron supplement yet, Janet. I'd like to try introducing more iron into my diet naturally first before taking the supplements. I hear they can have some unpleasant side effects, so if I can get the iron I need from food, I will be a happy camper! Thank you so much for your input -- you are so right about too much iron being toxic, which is a reason I've shied away from the pills.

I was severely anemic 2 years ago (needed 4 units of blood and 1 unit of IV iron before they would release me from the hospital) and I needed the supplements. They were not bad at all as long as I took them with food. I didn't even get the constipation many do because I upped my fruits and veggies and fiber at the same time. My CBC numbers stayed up so I stopped taking them (with my doctor's OK) after 9 months any my hematocrit has stayed in the normal range ever since. I don't eat any fortified foods but I do eat a variety, including meat, dark greens, legumes, etc. I also take a multi vitamin that includes iron. Usually post-menopausal women should take one that does not have it.