Iron??

saltedcaramel86
saltedcaramel86 Posts: 238 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Finally realised you can add extra vitamins, etc, to track! :happy: My iron has been very low today!

I've heard from several sources that dried apricots were a good source but apparently not!? I'm vegetarian and my iron levels do dip occasionally anyway (even when eating a consistent amount of red meat!). Aside from spinach, what else can I eat??

Replies

  • junodog1
    junodog1 Posts: 4,792 Member
    http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/health-and-wellness/iron-rich-foods

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


    Cleveland Clinic The iron in food comes from two sources: animals and plants. Iron from animal sources is known as heme iron and is found in various meats and fish. Iron from plants is known as nonheme iron, and is found in certain vegetables and in iron-fortified foods such as breakfast cereals. Heme iron is better absorbed by the body than nonheme iron.

    The following foods are good sources of heme iron (from animal sources):

    Chicken liver
    Oysters
    Clams
    Beef liver
    Beef (chuck roast, lean ground beef)
    Turkey leg
    Tuna
    Eggs
    Shrimp
    Leg of lamb


    The following foods are good sources of nonheme iron (from plants):

    Raisin bran (enriched)
    Instant oatmeal
    Beans (kidney, lima, Navy)
    Tofu
    Lentils
    Molasses
    Spinach
    Whole wheat bread
    Peanut butter
    Brown rice
    Try to combine nonheme iron foods with vitamin C (for example, a glass of orange juice) to increase absorption of iron.
  • Moxie42
    Moxie42 Posts: 1,400 Member
    Supposedly cooking with cast iron helps a little too. I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes but it doesn't hurt to try.

    Edit to clarify: cast iron pots and pans.
  • shutterbug282
    shutterbug282 Posts: 588 Member
    A lot of the foods added by users on here don't have any information about iron or other vitamins in them.
  • GCLyds
    GCLyds Posts: 206 Member
    Cook in a cast iron frying pan. It puts a little bit of iron into foods. Beans are a great source, so is raisin bran. Make sure you pair iron rich foods with a food high in vitamin c, like oranges, or green peppers.
  • MitchKim
    MitchKim Posts: 2 Member
    My vegetarian friend swears by a hot cup of Milo every day.
  • konerusp
    konerusp Posts: 247 Member
    I ran anemic for quite a while-i finally fought my way out of it-my diet consists of red millet,broccoli,spinach,beetroot(i have one of these everyday) most of the time.
    Iron in Red millet has ready absorbency and on a longer run will get rid of all nutritional deficiencies.
    This is Just from my personal experience.
  • krickeyuu
    krickeyuu Posts: 344 Member
    Get a blood test. If your iron stores are actually low, your Dr. will likely reccomend supplements. If you are a lacto-ovo vegetarian you can eat eggs and you can add some blackstrap molasses to a glass of milk. Beans and lentils are also a good vegetarian source of iron.

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