Iron level help!
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Blackbird16
Posts: 68
I'm anemic and have run out of iron supplements, I've started getting dizzy and the dark circles under my eyes are coming back.. Does anyone know what foods are high in iron? (that isn't meat)
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Replies
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Try spinach, kale, watercress, nuts, apricots, prunes, raisins.
Although if you're feeling that unwell it might be an idea to see a doctor?0 -
Meat free sources are dark-green leafy vegetables, such as watercress and curly kale, iron-fortified bread and cereals, beans & lentils, nuts, apricots, prunes and raisins.0
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Thanks for the replies
I have seen a doctor, I got put on some supplements but I can't afford them at the moment so I was hoping to find something more affordable for in the meantime0 -
I am iron related anemic too, and unfortunately, if you are like me, it doesn't matter what you eat. You have to take the supplements. I have tried high iron diets, but medically I am screwed. I know that my integra (awesome super prescription iron) is too expensive some months (COME ON GENERICS!) but over the counter supplements aren't terrible. But I have to take 4 for every one of my prescriptions.
Trust me, it isn't something you want to mess with.
Also, I do smoothies with bananas, ice, spinach and orange juice and strawberries. You can't taste the spinach (it ain't pretty) but orange juice makes iron absorption easier. And bananas are also high in iron. And obviously, avoid calcium for two hours before and after taking iron.0 -
I am anemic as well, but can't tolerate taking iron supplements. I have started eating a serving of Total cereal with milk for breakfast. Total has 100% of daily value of Iron as well as many other minerals and vitamins. Not sure if it is absorbed as well as the iron supplement I was taking, but I don't have the side effects either!0
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the iron in spinach is not easily absorbed. meat really is the best source. make sure you are getting enough B12, if you are vegetarian you could be deficient.
you should go to your doc for more supplements, chelated iron is best.
( just heard this info yesterday on a health show)0 -
dark green leafy veggies (spinach, kale, etc.) peanuts/pb, red meat and beans are all good options0
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No matter what I eat, I need to take supplements. Even the over the counter ones are better than nothing.
Beans & dried fruits are higher in iron.0 -
Lots of cereals and foods like spinach and red meat and lentils.
I have extreme anemia, too (diagnosed last year), and it really does suck.
Pair these foods with vitamin C to help the absorption (like an orange, orange juice, etc).
I REALLY love the cereal Quaker Oat Squares--- they're DELICIOUS, and one serving contains 90% of your iron intake0 -
Green veggies and red ones too. Beets and beet juice are very good. Or everything red I was told before. Cherry, Grapes...not sure how much is in there but it helps. If you eat meat, liver works too...lol0
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I'm a little anaemic but try to do without supplements, some good non-meat ones are spinach, kale, brocolli, dark green cabbage, pumpkin & sunflower seeds, lentils, lots of kinds of beans, cereals... and my personal favourite excuse- Guinness (ok so it's not that high but it's there!)0
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brocolli, spinach, chocolate has a little iron in too also cinnamon has an unexpected amount of iron in it! try some cinnamon0
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Molasses has some. Do you eat seafood? Mussels are a great source of iron.0
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I am also anemic. My doc reccommended vitamed.com. They have a 150mg iron supplement that is not too expensive. She also recommended taking the iron with B-12 to help it be absorbed into the blood better.0
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Guiness. Just an inch or so in a glass, not much. Used to be prescibed but that's fallen out of fashion rather, especially given it's mostly pregnant women with iron deficiency...0
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Google a list of high iron foods. Eating heme & nonheme iron together helps absorption, as does having vitamin c with iron. Calcium hinders absorption, so try not to eat iron-rich and calcium-rich foods together.
That said, if you know the dose you were Rx'd, you can pick up both iron & vitamin c over the counter for about $5 a bottle.
I take 300mg of ferrous gluconate (70mg elemental iron) daily (with 1500mg vit c) that I got OTC (in addition to a higher iron diet), because when I was Rx'd it, I found out that my insurance doesn't cover 'nutritional supplements' so my doc suggested just picking some up at Walmart for cheapness.0 -
sorry the website is vitamedmd.com0
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I am iron related anemic too, and unfortunately, if you are like me, it doesn't matter what you eat. You have to take the supplements. I have tried high iron diets, but medically I am screwed. I know that my integra (awesome super prescription iron) is too expensive some months (COME ON GENERICS!) but over the counter supplements aren't terrible. But I have to take 4 for every one of my prescriptions.
Trust me, it isn't something you want to mess with.
Also, I do smoothies with bananas, ice, spinach and orange juice and strawberries. You can't taste the spinach (it ain't pretty) but orange juice makes iron absorption easier. And bananas are also high in iron. And obviously, avoid calcium for two hours before and after taking iron.
Like you I could never eat enough food to cover my deficit, I take iron twice a day and I eat right too. I am back at the doctors office in the morning for a blood test and I'm hoping that I can get down to 1 pill a day. Don't mess with this ladies, it's not worth it.0 -
Wow have to say thanks again for all the replies!
Hmm.. I'll definitely have a look around for a cheaper iron supplement tomorrow, as well as some of the the foods mentioned because it'd be great to be able to work them into my diet, just invade I get into a situation like this again
Thanks again!0 -
Which supplement were you on? My iron was super low, and I got put on ICAR-C and my levels went back to normal in 2-3 months.
Also, I have a smoothie recipe that is almost the daily recommended dose of iron. If you have access to Sam's and can get their Naturade protein powder or find one similar, here is the recipe. You can get the green max powder from swansonsvitamins.com
2 cups soy milk
2 scoops protein powder
1 scoop green max powder
1 cup plain greek yogurt
1/3-1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
2 tbs flax seeds
1 tbs chia seeds0
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