Does anyone else consistently have issues getting enough iron?

armadillo_tshirt
armadillo_tshirt Posts: 7 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I try to get plenty of veggies and eat in a balanced way, but it seems like iron is the one thing I am consistently low on. I could use some ideas on ways to get more in my diet!

Replies

  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    I have no idea, I don't track micronutrients. Take a supplement if your doctor says your iron levels are low?
  • beastmode_kitty
    beastmode_kitty Posts: 844 Member
    Are you taking a multivitamin? Maybe look into taking iron supplements
  • armadillo_tshirt
    armadillo_tshirt Posts: 7 Member
    I was more interested in food based ways vs supplements, but thanks for the suggestion.
  • Jolinia
    Jolinia Posts: 846 Member
    Here you go!

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

    Page 2 has the veggies with iron.
  • armadillo_tshirt
    armadillo_tshirt Posts: 7 Member
    Jolinia wrote: »
    Here you go!

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

    Page 2 has the veggies with iron.

    Thanks. I can google with the best of them:) I was more looking for personal experience/recommendations.
  • meritage4
    meritage4 Posts: 1,441 Member
    a women's vitamin to help me meet both iron and calcium goals-thats what I use or eat more red meat
  • Amanda4change
    Amanda4change Posts: 620 Member
    My daughter has sever issues with anemia and even though the rest of the family gets enough iron via diet she doesn't seem to process it correctly. So for her we have to do supplements (which if you go this route keep in mind iron supplements can cause nausea and constipation so drink lots of water and try taking with and without food if you feel nauseous). As far as getting enough if your close to the daily recommendations your likely ok, you can also request a blood test to check your hemoglobin levels, which unless they come back as low means you don't really need to worry about your iron intake (if the level is normal your getting enough iron).
  • nickatine
    nickatine Posts: 451 Member
    edited February 2015
    canned smoked oysters, and cashews, dried apricots, chickpeas,total cereal, shreddies
  • maxit
    maxit Posts: 880 Member
    Thanks. I can google with the best of them:) I was more looking for personal experience/recommendations.

    All of these suggestions are ones that I have personally employed. Happy? In addition, combining iron-rich foods with foods containing vitamin C increases absorption.
  • Jolinia
    Jolinia Posts: 846 Member
    edited February 2015
    ambercrayon wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »
    Here you go!

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

    Page 2 has the veggies with iron.

    Thanks. I can google with the best of them:) I was more looking for personal experience/recommendations.

    Personal experience from when I was eating vegan: Chia seeds.

    I ground mine just to be sure I was absorbing it. Then I'd boil a sweet potato and use some of the water to make a chia gravy with two tablespoons of nutritional yeast. Then I'd put my sweet potato and gravy on a bed of sun-dried tomatoes, onions, spinach, and red hot chili peppers, sprinkle some sunflower seeds and sesame seeds on it, and I was getting a serious bowl of nutrients. I can't say it looked appetizing, but it was delicious. I might, however, have a very warped idea of 'delicious'!

    Costco sells big bags of Chia seeds fairly cheap. You can also easily grow your own.
  • armadillo_tshirt
    armadillo_tshirt Posts: 7 Member
    I think I may even have some chia seeds! Thanks! I am not vegan or vegetarian but I do tend to go easy on the meat. I may look a little further that direction.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Take a vitamin for iron.
  • kitsilana
    kitsilana Posts: 50 Member
    I'm constantly iron deficient. My doctor says most women are.

    I discovered I love liver :)
    Iron from animal sources is easier for our bodies to absorb than plant iron.

    So yeah, I try to buy some good quality, non-medicated liver when my butcher has it in.
    Mussels are also good. I order those when I see them on a menu. Mostly cause I love 'em though!

    Beef and turkey are high in iron too.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    I am iron deficient and take a pill to supplement. It is very hard to resolve a deficiency through vegetables alone. Eat a little more red meat.

    A hysterectomy can help.

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