diet and anemia...

chelliebabe2000
chelliebabe2000 Posts: 30 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all. I have plateaued for about 3 months now. I've done my numbers, counted every calorie, and bust my *kitten* at the gym on average 1-2hrs X 3 days a week.
It dawned on me, the last time I stalled during weight loss and began gaining was due to a lack of iron. So off to the doctor and a blood test later, iron deficiency has raised its ugly head again.
No matter how hard I try, I accomplish about 20% of my iron needs before completely blowing out my sodium and sugar levels.
I need ideas and help on how to meet my needs without blowing out everything.
I DON'T WANT TO SUPPLEMENT IF ITS NOT NECESSARY.
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Replies

  • My_Butt
    My_Butt Posts: 2,300 Member
    I make sure to have beef, deer, or spinach a few times a week.

    My cereal is also fortified so I get iron from that.
  • chelliebabe2000
    chelliebabe2000 Posts: 30 Member
    My_Butt wrote: »
    I make sure to have beef, deer, or spinach a few times a week.

    My cereal is also fortified so I get iron from that.
    I already do this and I haven't ever met my daily requirements.
    I also eat nuts, seeds and legumes daily in the effort to boost my levels.
    Colud kidney be an answer..... Mind you, I love meat so I'm not shy to extend into 'abnormal' delicacies.
  • CassidyScaglione
    CassidyScaglione Posts: 673 Member
    Buy a cast iron skillet. Also it will last you forever.
  • chelliebabe2000
    chelliebabe2000 Posts: 30 Member
    CassidyScaglione wrote: »
    Buy a cast iron skillet. Also it will last you forever.

    Lol I have a cast iron stomach tho
  • kristengregson43
    kristengregson43 Posts: 10 Member
    Liver and kidneys 100% if your having those issues and not wanting to seek supplementation and are okay with eating that. How many legumes do you eat?
  • Qskim
    Qskim Posts: 1,145 Member
    Why are you adverse to supplementing?
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    Kale and collards are also very good. They are tasty, too, and I say that as someone not into many green veggies. I like them sauteed in some oil (with a touch of wine vinegar on them because I'm Southern). They are my new thing for when I'm still hungry but don't want to eat over so often. You can eat a lot of them and not worry :)

    I almost always need iron, too, so I checked out some sources I like. The Rx pills hurt my stomach, so I do try to avoid having to take them every day.
  • chelliebabe2000
    chelliebabe2000 Posts: 30 Member
    _SKIM_ wrote: »
    Why are you adverse to supplementing?
    I've had bad experiences with iron supplements before. I had many side effects associated with them.
    It's not that I won't supplement, it's that I'd prefer not to.
    If I could find a nutritious, iron enriched meal plan, it would be something I'd rather exhaust to the end.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    edited January 2016
    Sorry are you anaemic or do you have low iron?

    My main advice would be

    Stop tracking sugar and salt
    Independently research every food for iron content as the MFP database is not worth trusting

    You need about 15mg per day which you could get from a 4 oz portion of liver or 6oz mussels alone

    Important to eat with vitamin C of course
    Range of sources
    http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile68d.stm
  • chelliebabe2000
    chelliebabe2000 Posts: 30 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    Sorry are you anaemia or have low iron?

    My main advice would be

    Stop tracking sugar and salt
    Independently research every food for iron content as the MFP database is not worth trusting

    You need about 15mg per day which you could get from a 4 oz portion of liver


    http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile68d.stm
    Maybe I should have worded it clearer.
    Yeah I am iron deficient, but have a quick depletion rate that would put me into the anemic category within a few weeks.

    4oz daily or weekly?
    It just seems like a huge offal steak to sit with...
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    edited January 2016
    That was an example of one single meal you could choose which would hit your daily target in one food

    You think 4oz is a big piece of meat ? I find that shocking TBH ...it's 100g

    I'm not saying eat liver if you don't like it..lots of food have decent iron content eg dried fruit, enriched foods, mussels, pate
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    I started watching my iron intake about 4 months ago. I hit it nearly every day, although I am not certain how much is actually absorbed. Dried apricots, raisins, oatmeal, iron fortified cereals, eggs, pancakes, beef, and spinach are the items I've increased to hit the target. I wasn't appreciating the side effects of iron containing supplements either. Although I'm not iron deficient either, it was just something I wanted to focus on, because I noticed that my diet was consistently low last year. I've also considered this guy, but have not decided yet:

    http://www.luckyironfish.com/
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    I started watching my iron intake about 4 months ago. I hit it nearly every day, although I am not certain how much is actually absorbed. Dried apricots, raisins, oatmeal, iron fortified cereals, eggs, pancakes, beef, and spinach are the items I've increased to hit the target. I wasn't appreciating the side effects of iron containing supplements either. Although I'm not iron deficient either, it was just something I wanted to focus on, because I noticed that my diet was consistently low last year. I've also considered this guy, but have not decided yet:

    http://www.luckyironfish.com/

    You're kidding right? :)
  • chelliebabe2000
    chelliebabe2000 Posts: 30 Member
    @rabbitjb - no 100gm steak is easy, as offal was how I saw that. I eat red meat regularly and took it as an extra boost from what I eat already
    @nutmegoreo - thanks for the link. I'll see what I can use from it.
  • Qskim
    Qskim Posts: 1,145 Member
    chelliebabe2000 wrote: »
    _SKIM_ wrote: »
    Why are you adverse to supplementing?
    I've had bad experiences with iron supplements before. I had many side effects associated with them.
    It's not that I won't supplement, it's that I'd prefer not to.
    If I could find a nutritious, iron enriched meal plan, it would be something I'd rather exhaust to the end.

    Ah, ok. Was asking because I'm currently supplementing. I've been told it's difficult or at least a lengthier process when trying to replenish depleted stores on food alone. I can't afford to muck around with it (I know some people have no symptoms like lower energy but unfortunately it's not me and it's possibly flared other auto-immune issues). I haven't had any probs with the tablet I'm on and bloody hope I don't start to,

  • bellabonbons
    bellabonbons Posts: 705 Member
    Iron supplementation is fine and it works well as long as you use ferrous sulfate that this easily absorbed. Also studies have shown that when you do eat iron rich foods take vitamin C with it as it helps your body absorb the iron efficiently. I would also suggest that you definitely talk to your doctor because if you're not a vegetarian you shouldn't be really low on iron. I wish you all the best.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    I started watching my iron intake about 4 months ago. I hit it nearly every day, although I am not certain how much is actually absorbed. Dried apricots, raisins, oatmeal, iron fortified cereals, eggs, pancakes, beef, and spinach are the items I've increased to hit the target. I wasn't appreciating the side effects of iron containing supplements either. Although I'm not iron deficient either, it was just something I wanted to focus on, because I noticed that my diet was consistently low last year. I've also considered this guy, but have not decided yet:

    http://www.luckyironfish.com/

    You're kidding right? :)

    No, not kidding. I think it's a great idea, but I'm not certain I would use it all that much. I like that they give back to communities that need it, so I was thinking of just giving them some money.
  • Qskim
    Qskim Posts: 1,145 Member
    "bellabonbons wrote: »
    if you're not a vegetarian you shouldn't be really low on iron. I wish you all the best.

    Can be due, as well, to heavy menstruation, side affects of some medications and malabsorption issues for example, Celiacs. The depletion of stores can be gradual even with a decent daily intake.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Can recommend this ...far more gentle than prescription pills and effective

    http://www.amazon.com/Floradix-Vitamin-Formula-Liquid-250ml/dp/B002F5EUQ8
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    I started watching my iron intake about 4 months ago. I hit it nearly every day, although I am not certain how much is actually absorbed. Dried apricots, raisins, oatmeal, iron fortified cereals, eggs, pancakes, beef, and spinach are the items I've increased to hit the target. I wasn't appreciating the side effects of iron containing supplements either. Although I'm not iron deficient either, it was just something I wanted to focus on, because I noticed that my diet was consistently low last year. I've also considered this guy, but have not decided yet:

    http://www.luckyironfish.com/

    You're kidding right? :)

    No, not kidding. I think it's a great idea, but I'm not certain I would use it all that much. I like that they give back to communities that need it, so I was thinking of just giving them some money.

    The concept isn't as mad as it seems on first reading actually
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    I started watching my iron intake about 4 months ago. I hit it nearly every day, although I am not certain how much is actually absorbed. Dried apricots, raisins, oatmeal, iron fortified cereals, eggs, pancakes, beef, and spinach are the items I've increased to hit the target. I wasn't appreciating the side effects of iron containing supplements either. Although I'm not iron deficient either, it was just something I wanted to focus on, because I noticed that my diet was consistently low last year. I've also considered this guy, but have not decided yet:

    http://www.luckyironfish.com/

    You're kidding right? :)

    No, not kidding. I think it's a great idea, but I'm not certain I would use it all that much. I like that they give back to communities that need it, so I was thinking of just giving them some money.

    The concept isn't as mad as it seems on first reading actually

    I spent some time reading the site. If cast iron skillets can work, I can see the fish being helpful. I was trying to decide if that was a sarcastic "You're kidding" or not :laugh: It would certainly not be the strangest idea put forth on the forums :bigsmile:
  • yesimpson
    yesimpson Posts: 1,372 Member
    I use a liquid iron supplement which you add into orange juice. Avoids the tummy issues iron tablets cause me.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    As a rule of thumb always expect sarcasm

    That one wasn't though it was a knee jerk before I actually thought about it ...sorry

    Would like to see the results of the study though
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    As a rule of thumb always expect sarcasm

    That one wasn't though it was a knee jerk before I actually thought about it ...sorry

    Would like to see the results of the study though

    Nothing to be sorry about. I wasn't offended. Just curious. I will see if I can find anything on the University database for research. I know the site had some stuff, but obviously it's best to have independent studies.
  • chelliebabe2000
    chelliebabe2000 Posts: 30 Member
    Iron skillets and fish??...
    Is that where we're at or am I slow on the uptake lol....
    ...iron skillet and steak, is that A+?
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    edited January 2016
    chelliebabe2000 wrote: »
    Iron skillets and fish??...
    Is that where we're at or am I slow on the uptake lol....
    ...iron skillet and steak, is that A+?

    Nope, you get an A+. The fish was an interesting idea posted here by another user before Christmas, so I had been rolling it around in my head. Cast iron skillets have been know to be very helpful. Lots of possible food sources, and the liquid drops as another option.

    I personally haven't tried the liquid drops, but they sound like a good alternative. I decided to start with dietary changes, but there are obviously a lot of options out there. :smile:
  • chelliebabe2000
    chelliebabe2000 Posts: 30 Member
    Thanks heaps for all your input.
    I feel like I'm bashing my head against a wall most days.
    2 weeks beforey next set of tests. Fingers crossed
  • kristengregson43
    kristengregson43 Posts: 10 Member
    Are you pregnant or did you recently give birth??
  • Qskim
    Qskim Posts: 1,145 Member
    chelliebabe2000 wrote: »
    Thanks heaps for all your input.
    I feel like I'm bashing my head against a wall most days.
    2 weeks beforey next set of tests. Fingers crossed

    Good luck.

    My first results this week.

    Have you tried the liquid sup or same side effects? Might help prevent head banging! :D
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    Have you considered iron injections? Their side effects are heaps and bounds milder (from experience)

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