Iron rich foods?

darsh11

I recently found out that I am anemic. The doctor has put me on a super dose of Iron and Vitamin B12 to help absorb the iron into my system. She wants me to eat iron rich food. I know that Iron rich foods are green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale. I also know that red meat contains Iron. I do not eat any red meat so I am looking for any other foods that are rich in Iron.

chell53

Of course the best food is Spinach.......as for meat chicken, turkey and fish are good as well. I am going through this with my sister who just found out this past weekend she is also anemic...........now liver is also good for you, but most people can't get past the smell or taste and you can also eat beans and legumes.............hope this helps.

Good luck to you............

Nbentz214

I suggest you also make sure you have plenty of vitamin C, it also helps the body absorbs the iron. My body doesnt retain the iron for very long, almost as if my body doesnt like the iron. I take meds and infusions on a regular basis for my iron. Like the above poster said, spinach and any meats and beans are good ways to get the iron. I may be wrong, but I believe that spinach gives you the most nutrients in raw form, not cooked.

ItsCasey

I eat Total whole grain wheat flakes. One serving (3/4 cup) has 100% of your recommended daily iron intake.

JersryGirl31

I've been anemic in the past, so I added iron to the things to track in MFP. Asparagus season is short, but it also has a lot of iron.
Many grains, pasta and cereals are enriched with iron. Check the label. Spinach is my favorite.

RillSoji

I recently found out that I am anemic. The doctor has put me on a super dose of Iron and Vitamin B12 to help absorb the iron into my system. She wants me to eat iron rich food. I know that Iron rich foods are green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale. I also know that red meat contains Iron. I do not eat any red meat so I am looking for any other foods that are rich in Iron.

I was anemic since I was a teenager up until the last January (15 years). I finally stopped being anemic when I started eating right. I didn't take any pills or supplements. I just ate whole foods and tried my best to get my ratios right. One of the things I learned about iron (and most other vitamins/nutrients too) is that they need help to be absorbed and used by your body. Taking an iron supplement isn't going to help you very much. You need a kaleidoscope of vitamins and nutrients that all support and help each other. It's best to get that through eating whole foods because they contain everything you need! In other words...Your body will retain and use more iron from a salad than a pill. I completely agree with your doc suggesting you eat iron rich foods. I think that will do you the most good.

These charts helped me a lot when I was first learning about what foods contain which vitamins.
http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/fruit-nutrition-chart.html
http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/vegetables-nutrition-chart.html
http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/nut-seed-nutrition-chart.html
http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/legumes-nutrition-chart.html
http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/meat-protein-nutrition-chart.html
http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/vitamins-nutrition-chart.html
http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/minerals-nutrition-chart.html

CottonCandyKisses

I eat Total whole grain wheat flakes. One serving (3/4 cup) has 100% of your recommended daily iron intake.

Cereal is a great source--I eat frosted mini wheats for iron--my body does NOT like the supplements!

torie079

I have this problem as well...and can't seem to get my blood out up:( I know that when I was pregnant I was very anemic and the docs told me to eat TOTAL cereal... It's very high in iron.. I like the cinnamon crunch one.

sapalee

Dark chocolate has a decent amount. Another + in that corner.

kalynn06

Broccoli- high in iron and vitamin C so win, win.

bluebird321

Meat and Kale is my choice. Kale is very high in nutrients and Iron.

emmaraynolds

i have almost half of my life problem with iron deficiency anemia, but after pills supplements i tried to work with organic foods, i tried with iron rich diets, and here i find some good recipes that i use today too: http://www.irondeficiencyguide.com/iron-rich-diet

willpower5

Try Black Strap Molassas, 2 tsp has 13 % of your daily iron requirement

Nutrients in Blackstrap Molasses
2.00 tsp (13.67 grams)
Nutrient % Daily Value
manganese18%
copper14%
iron13.2%
calcium11.7%
potassium9.7%
magnesium7.3%
vitamin B65%
selenium3.4%
Calories (32)1%

ChasingSweatandTears

Edamame(soybeans) I snack on roasted ones, Chickpeas(Garbanzo Beans), Quinoa, Avocados, Tuna, Ground Turkey
And agreed on vitamin C. Consuming vitamin C with iron rich foods helps your body absorb the iron and fortunately tomatos and citrus go very well with a lot of foods! Also.... sounds wierd but cooking in an iron skillet actually can increase iron content in your food. Not to mention iron skillets are naturally non stick once they've been worn in. LOVE my iron skillet.

megacy

The fortified cereal is a great way to go since you don't eat red meat. Total has 100%. For something a bit cheaper, I found the Safeway brand called Multi Grain O's also has 100%, Wheat Chex has 80%. Like the others say, be sure to eat/drink vitamin C with these, it helps your body absorb the iron. And don't drink coffee with iron rich foods, it inhibits the body from absorbing the iron.

megacy

Also.... sounds wierd but cooking in an iron skillet actually can increase iron content in your food. Not to mention iron skillets are naturally non stick once they've been worn in. LOVE my iron skillet.

I was just going to edit to add cooking in iron skillets! Not weird at all, it really helps.

LindaLouLu

bump for reference

cheesy_blasters

Agreed with the Vit. C thing.

I did the Iron supplement too and it really helped me when I was severely anemic (lazy vegan). I tend to eat a lot of spinach and kale since it's the easiest way for me to get it. Legumes are another good way to get it.


http://www.ferralet.com/Patient_Information/About_Iron/Dietary/Foods/Legumes.aspx

fittocycle

Yep, I agree with adding in vitamin C to help the iron absorption. If you can eat an iron rich food with one high in vitamin C. You could have a salad with baby spinach and add in some strawberries or mandarin oranges. Try to avoid taking a calcium supplement with iron. And if you drink soft drinks, it's probably a good idea to give them up. They tend to leech the iron from your body as well. Good luck to you. Having low iron can really make you tired!

SamandaIndia

Without using supplements or fortified foods can someone please share an example day with enough iron from their food. Context is: given the theory, today I went on a mission to eat enough iron. Whole grain cereal, sunflower seeds, nuts, beef, chick peas, beans, egg, broccoli, soya and I have only reached 60% of RDA. I will buy some spinach and kale but I draw the line at mussels and liver. Love to know examples of a balance where people get sufficient iron. Thanks!

TeaBea

CottonCandyKisses wrote: »

I eat Total whole grain wheat flakes. One serving (3/4 cup) has 100% of your recommended daily iron intake.

Cereal is a great source--I eat frosted mini wheats for iron--my body does NOT like the supplements!

This^

I sprinkle Grapenuts on my yogurt and berries....although the calcium doesn't help much with absorption, the vitamin C does. Hopefully these cancel each other out.

OP - iron pills = constipation. Dr. had me on the smallest dose & still had issues.