Low(er) carb & iron deficient

SBgettingLean
SBgettingLean Posts: 25
edited December 17 in Food and Nutrition
I've been doing this for a month now: ~80-120g carbs, ~120-150g protein, ~70-100g fat with one cheat/spike day a week (my diary is open)

I've noticed that my iron levels are consistently low (~40-70%) and I'm going to start adding more green in with my meals but I'm considering a multivitamin as well because I'm concerned about the long term affects of low iron.

Any recommendations for multi vitamin or low carb iron rich foods?

Thanks so much

Replies

  • SherryRH
    SherryRH Posts: 810 Member
    I add fresh spinach to my scrambled egg whites. Usually a large handful every day. You could add that to a meal if you don't want to add it to your breakfast. I eat the same thing everyday for breakfast. I love it and it keeps me going for 3 hours until snack time.
  • SBgettingLean
    SBgettingLean Posts: 25
    Spinach just isn't cutting it.. I do greens daily and my iron is still at well 54% today. Anyone else with this problem?
  • wildboar1
    wildboar1 Posts: 88
    One serving of cream of wheat will give you about 25-35% of RDA in Iron.
  • HonkyTonks
    HonkyTonks Posts: 1,193 Member
    Yes I have this problem too, possibly look at iron supplements?
  • bagge72
    bagge72 Posts: 1,377 Member
    Yeah spinach has a ton of iron in it, but your body only takes 5% of that iron in, because of the oxalate in it the prevents your body from absorbing the iron. Edamame has a good amount of iron in it, and try finding a nice cereal that has good amounts.
  • SBgettingLean
    SBgettingLean Posts: 25
    I started taking the "be-whole" multivitamin from GNC with "gentle iron" and everything seems balanced out. It even has biotin in it and my hair and nails are growing like crazy!
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    One serving of cream of wheat will give you about 25-35% of RDA in Iron.
    I was gonna say Cream of Wheat! After I started exercising I had problems with low iron when I donated blood. They gave me a list of suggested foods that are high in iron, and Cream of Wheat has the highest per serving. I eat it 3-4 days during the week prior to donating and my iron is above the requirement every time.
  • justmary99
    justmary99 Posts: 1
    I went on a low carb (Atkins) diet and my iron is lower than ever. I donate blood regularly too and I'm normally right on the bubble but now I'm way below the acceptable limit to donate, and I've added more spinach and red meat to my diet since starting Atkins. I've heard that you'll absorb more iron in your food if you add some sort of Vit C like OJ. I first got refused 2 weeks ago so added some low dosage iron supplements a couple times a week and still failed today.
    Anyone have input on the connection of low carb and low iron?
  • babycook
    babycook Posts: 172 Member
    I check my intake and I'm constantly low on iron. But I just had blood work done and my hemoglobin was actually slightly high. Someone posted take vitamin C. It helps with absorption. Also don't have caffeine when your consuming iron products. It lowers the absorption.

    http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/food-sources-of-iron.php
  • Madelinew22
    Madelinew22 Posts: 289
    Are u anemic? Cuz just because ur not reaching mfp goal u might be fine. I on the other hand have to take supplements. My iron is somehow 200+% plus red meat really helps plus low carb:) yay!!

    Plus in my years of attempting to eat lots if green food to up the iron it never did anything for me
  • LBLeonard
    LBLeonard Posts: 1 Member
    If vit c helps with iron deficiencies, try green peppers. They drive my vitamin c right up over 100% with a small serving and are low carb.
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