Not getting enough iron

HilaryKrohn

Hi all, I feel like I'm finally getting into the swing of things with calorie control and I'm taking the time to look at my other stats. I haven't even hit 50% of my daily required Iron in 3 weeks! What foods can I add to boost that?

HotSouthernMess

i have the same problem...before i came to MFP i was severly anemic and even almost had to have a blood transfusion after my son was born (they were able to get my levels back up with meds before it got that far) anyways i track my iron daily and im not sure your breakfast routine but 1 cup of multi-grain cheerios has 100% of your recommened iron intake for the day. i eat it almost everyday. hope this helps!

rosepetals88

Red meat for sure, and iron supplements are good as well, I know I need to take that..

stressd1mom

I have always stuggled with anemia & I have to take an iron supplement. I know when I was pregnant with my youngest son my iron was still getting on the low side even with the supplement & my doctor was going to make me eat liver. At least my son was born before that happened.

goingtobefit2015

I've been anemic my entire life I have to take Iron Supplements (Ferrus Sulfate)

wdwghettogirl

A lot of whole grain cereals have large amounts of iron; Cheerios, Total, etc. Oatmeal as well. Eggs, chicken, pb, various fruits and veggies... You could also take a multi vitamin, but be sure to check the label and make sure it has iron, I was taking one for a while and it had none! Needless to say, I switched after that bottle was gone.

mbowman323

Here is the top foods in iron that you can eat

Beef, liver, chicken, fish tofu
Dry beans, lentils, and peas
Lima beans
Nuts, seeds, and peanut butter,
Raisins and prunes
Dried apricots and figs
Turnip and collards greens
Cerals with iron
Brown rice
Whole wheat bread
Enriched bread, rice, cereal and pasta
Tomato juice
Winter squash.


Also eating food high in vitamin c helps asorb iron

Red and green hot chilli peppers
guavas
bell peppers
thyme and parsely
dark leafy greens
brocolli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts
papyas
kiwi fruit
oranges and strawberries

I only speaking from being anemic myself

fteale

Dark green leafy vegetables.

I have to say, I have taken vitamin pills for years. Since I was 18, really.

MissAllison

Iron can be tricky. I was severely anemic for a long time. Often, just increasing iron intake isn't enough if your body has trouble absorbing the iron. Look into iron absorption & maybe add a supplement that contains the right balance of 'other good stuff' to make sure your body benefits from the supplement. I use Shaklee products - vita-lea with iron is enough for me now, but I used to take an additional iron + C supplement as well.

NatalieWinning

Leafy vegetables and iron fortified cereal weren't doing it for me. I discovered that lentils have a good amount and are very lean plus fantastic protein! Here's the best one, I found that pumpkin seeds are LOADED with iron I've tried to have a iron rich diet, plus an ounce of pumpkin seeds every day I can (on par with nuts calories) in nearly everything I can think of. Great on salads, good just by the handfull. You can get them roasted, salted, or raw. The raw takes a little getting used to, but roasted they are just like a yummy nut.

baisleac

Prenatal vitamins.

For foods... my go to Iron website is: http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000119000000000000000-w.html (Foods highest in iron)

hbrekkaas

Iron can be tricky. I was severely anemic for a long time. Often, just increasing iron intake isn't enough if your body has trouble absorbing the iron. Look into iron absorption & maybe add a supplement that contains the right balance of 'other good stuff' to make sure your body benefits from the supplement. I use Shaklee products - vita-lea with iron is enough for me now, but I used to take an additional iron + C supplement as well.

It is a very trick thing, dairy will also hinder absorbtion, so try not eat or drink milk/cheese/yogurt at the same time you eat your iron rich food or take your vitamin. I do know you want to get ahead of it and not become anemic, its a fairly awful feeling. I have had a blood transfusion and an IV iron drip. Yuck.