Tired of being anemic. Ba dum dum!

Cream of Wheat cereal is high in iron, unless you'd consider it a supplement since it's fortified rather than naturally occurring in the cereal as far as I know...

But maybe you could eat that for breakfast 3 or 4 times per week?

I'm not anemic, but my count is often too low when I donate blood (started after I began regular exercise), but if I eat Cream of Wheat 3 or 4 times in the days leading up to a donation, my levels are well over their requirements for donors.

Are you anemic or is your iron just low? When you're anemic your iron reserves in your body (as my dr described it) are depleted. Realistically you would need to take iron supplement until your levels are back to normal and then discontinue and make sure you are eating iron in your diet.

I found out in May that I was anemic and was put on iron supplements. My levels are getting back to normal and I should be able to stop the iron at the end of the month.

Out of curiosity, why are you against supplements? I had very low iron after going vegetarian, so I started taking a women's multivitamin every day. I definitely feel less tired all the time since starting it.

How old are you? Young girls have higher iron needs than adult women (except vegans). Are you tracking your iron on here, and finding that you're hitting at least the 100% mark? You can try increasing your intake of vitamin C (because it helps with Fe absorption) and keeping dairy (or high calcium foods) separate from meals that contain iron (because it may impede absorption). Having said that, it sounds like you need to ask a dr about it, because you could have some other issue (such as an absorption problem).

I had problems with anemia when I was a vegetarian. I tried everything - iron-rich foods paired with vitamin C to help the iron absorb. I tried supplements (both oral and injected). Nothing worked - I was constantly out-of-breath, fatigued, lightheaded, bruised, etc.

After lots of doctor visits, it was determined that I just don't absorb iron from non-heme sources. I went back to eating meat. In the end, it was just the easiest solution.

You might also want to check your B-12 levels. My mom has pernicious anemia, which is basically her body doesn't absorb the B-12 very well, causing the red blood cell count to be lower- and I've found that when I'm feeling particularly weak and tired, it's not just from low iron count. Just another thing to check up on. B-12 is really hard to get if you don't eat meats, because it doesn't occur in vegetation.

A cup of Cheerios gets me halfway there. I'll say that since I have paid attention to my Iron and Vit C my energy has shot through the roof. I sleep much less and feel so much better.

Edit: sorry, I didn't read all the way through the thread.

Since people keep asking how I know I'm anemic-- I'm not completely sure what my iron levels are at this moment. I tried to give blood this summer and couldn't. They told me I was anemic. I've been told this before when trying to give blood other times too. My sis eats raisins so she can give blood but I don't want all that sugar unless it's chocolate, lol.

Currently I do have angular cheilitis, like I stated before. I think these are all good indicators to eat more iron without me needing to see a doctor. But no, I don't know for sure if right at this moment I'm anemic or not. I've been called it before and would like to avoid it and symptoms of it like I have now. Thanks for your tips.

Please take charge of your health.

There are many reasons to be anemic. Iron deficiency is only one of them.

You need to ask your doctor what the cause of your anemia is. If your iron level is low, you'll need to take iron. It's not a "supplement". It's a necessity. If your B12 level is low, you'll need to take B12. It's not a "supplement". It's a necessity.

Again - - - please take charge of your health. Ask questions and take action.

Um, no. it is not usual for any young menstruating woman to get anemic if not taking an iron supplement.

Any young menstruating woman will get anemic without taking a multivitamin with iron.

Check out nutritiondata.com, and search by nutrient, this is an easy way to get more of a certain nutrient.

Lack of iron is not the only thing that will make you anemic. Lack of B vitamins will do that too. So, get yourself a one-a-day with iron.

Also, Post grapenuts or Total cereal are great sources of both B vitamins and iron. Have strawberries on your cereal, or kiwi, for vitamin C, which will increase absorption. Nothing yummier than a bowl of yogurt, strawberries or kiwi, and grapenuts!!!! Mmm!

Eat red meat, unless you need to avoid it for some reason. Spaghetti sauce with tomatoes and beef, good choice.

Thanks for the ideas. I have heard having vitamin C can help. Does it count if put some lemon or lime juice in my water whenever I eat meals? Because I usually already do that.

I don't want to take the supplements because I think it's better to eat your vitamins naturally whenever possible. Also I'm afraid of the iron supplements messing up my digestion-- I've heard they do that. Anyone have experience with that?

Well eating the vitamins you need obiviously is not working. You are just going to be doing the same thing you all ready were. So I don't get why you bothered asking for help if your not going to take the advice given to you.

Get B12 levels checked.
Get checked for celiac disease.
Exchange at least a portion of the spinach for other dark greens. Spinach contains oxalates, which block the absorption of iron.
Cook in cast iron.
Combine vitamin C and iron rich foods.
Don't take calcium or other minerals at the same time as iron.

I was actually anemic until I went vegetarian; meat is certainly not the cure for everyone!

Google other iron rich foods, like seafood, tomatoes, and other iron fortified foods, like pasta or cereal.

I donate plasma, and in addition to the vitamin C, as others mentioned, I eat Total Cereal. One serving has 100% of the daily value. I like to eat a half serving on yogurt.

I have Hemochromatiosis. Basically I absorb a crap load of iron from my food (near 3x normal amount) but I cannot use it. Just floats around blocking up all the important bits like my liver and heart. So I understand not wanting to use suppliments as it tends to make my particular problem worst. I am a high iron anemic.

There are times that I do become properly anemic when all I do eat is spinach and white meat etc for months and then the only solution is to take in a hit of iron. I can't take much or risk damaging organs I'd rather be healthy.
1)I eat a steak - I know you don't want to do this, thats your choice
2)take a few iron pills over the course of a week until I steady out
3)ignore it to the point my doctor has to step in with an iron injection

You aren't going to up your iron levels easily with just spinach and beans. You need to get ahead of your low iron and then you can maintain with spinach and beans. I just went over 8 months before having to eat a steak, and that was just because I wanted to. My baby sister (18yrs) is the same and as far as I'm aware the only red meat she gets is the mince in spagetti once every 3 months or so and she has yet to need to change anything about her diet. Thats because I was diagnosed first and we were able to watch out for her before she hit puberty.

Do yourself a favour. Go see your doctor and work out how much iron you actually need or go buy an iron suppliment/multi with iron and take it for a week. You'll feel so much better and will be able to continue your current diet without changing your intake.