Not getting enough iron

HilaryKrohn
HilaryKrohn Posts: 1
edited September 28 in Health and Weight Loss
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?

Replies

  • HotSouthernMess
    HotSouthernMess Posts: 474 Member
    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
    rosepetals88 Posts: 22
    Red meat for sure, and iron supplements are good as well, I know I need to take that..
  • stressd1mom
    stressd1mom Posts: 151 Member
    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
    goingtobefit2015 Posts: 408 Member
    I've been anemic my entire life I have to take Iron Supplements (Ferrus Sulfate)
  • wdwghettogirl
    wdwghettogirl Posts: 559 Member
    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
    mbowman323 Posts: 216
    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
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    Dark green leafy vegetables.

    I have to say, I have taken vitamin pills for years. Since I was 18, really.
  • MissAllison
    MissAllison Posts: 33
    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
    NatalieWinning Posts: 999 Member
    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
    baisleac Posts: 2,019 Member
    Prenatal vitamins.

    For foods... my go to Iron website is: http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000119000000000000000-w.html (Foods highest in iron)
  • hbrekkaas
    hbrekkaas Posts: 268 Member
    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.
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