Getting about half the iron I need?

a_hounslow09

How accurate is the nutritional breakdown? Do I really need as much iron in my diet as it says? Because I'm consistently only hitting half of what it says I need...

TeaBea

The nutritional break downs are not complete. MFP members have added tons of entries, if they don't track iron they may not bother to add that information.

I watch my iron because I KNOW that I need to. Gave blood (disqualified) because my hematocrit was too low. Do NOT take a supplement unless a Dr. advises you. Vitamin C helps with absorption, too much calcium has the opposite effect.

http://www.webmd.com/diet/iron-rich-foods

MelaniaTrump

If you take a multivitamin add it to the food log.

a_hounslow09

JanetYellen wrote: »

If you take a multivitamin add it to the food log.

I do, and I add it, but there's no iron in it

fr33sia12

@a_hounslow09 This is why I've added all my foods myself instead of using the database, making sure I add iron and the other nutrients, because the database if just full of foods added incorrectly or with nutrients missing.

EvgeniZyntx

Do NOT take iron supplements (other than a standard multivitamin) without an iron deficiency validated by a blood test. Too much iron is worse than a slight deficiency.

The database here is terrible for micronutrients.

85Cardinals

Do you like liver? I hate liver. I wouldn't sweat the iron unless you're feeling bad or you test anemic or something. Women do need more iron than men, I think.

peacemongernc

My iron is typically about 50%, too. My potassium was really low! Then I realized how many foods didn't include the potassium on MFP and started adding it up myself. I started figuring out the actual amount of potassium that each food ought to have, then added a potassium tablet entry to my food log to reflect the difference. What I found was that instead of getting about 10 to 20% of what I needed, I was closer to 90%.

Then I realized that the number MFP uses for potassium is actually lower than what many experts suggest. However, I eat plenty of foods that are considered high in potassium, so I decided I'm okay with that for now.

Anyway, if you do some googling there are sites that offer standard measures for micronutrients in foods. You can calculate your iron intake that way and see if you are getting closer than you think. I'm sure you are!

a_hounslow09

peacemongernc wrote: »

My iron is typically about 50%, too. My potassium was really low! Then I realized how many foods didn't include the potassium on MFP and started adding it up myself. I started figuring out the actual amount of potassium that each food ought to have, then added a potassium tablet entry to my food log to reflect the difference. What I found was that instead of getting about 10 to 20% of what I needed, I was closer to 90%.

Then I realized that the number MFP uses for potassium is actually lower than what many experts suggest. However, I eat plenty of foods that are considered high in potassium, so I decided I'm okay with that for now.

Anyway, if you do some googling there are sites that offer standard measures for micronutrients in foods. You can calculate your iron intake that way and see if you are getting closer than you think. I'm sure you are!

Yeah it always says I'm about halfway on Potassium too... But my vitamins A and C are always over.