Easy Ways to Get More Foods High in Iron in Your Diet
Iron deficiency is a condition resulting from too little iron in the body. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency and the leading cause of anemia in the United States.
There are many instances when people have an iron deficiency without actually realizing it. Most people experience general fatigue, and sometimes it’s so bad that gets in the way of daily life or job performance. Quite often, people just attributed to stress or being tired. Unfortunately, taking a quick nap or making sure to get more sleep at night isn’t going to help.
Iron deficiency affects oxygen levels in your blood, and that can ultimately lead your entire body to be low in energy. This condition is known as anemia, and in order to get back on track you need to give your body a boost in iron. While there are supplements that you can use, it’s far better to take a look at your diet and see where healthy adaptations can be made. Here are some easy ways that you can incorporate foods high in iron into your daily diet.
Start off with an iron enriched cereal – there are all sorts of cereals on the market that range from sugary treats for kids to ones loaded in fiber for health nuts. There are also many great iron enriched cereals that you can use to give yourself a boost at the beginning of the day. Breakfast is the most important meal because it gives you a chance to load up unnecessary fuel to get you through the day. You can get a double dose of health if you eat a healthy cereal that is loaded in fiber as well.
Green leafy vegetables as side dishes – most people don’t associate vegetables with iron, but things like spinach and broccoli definitely contain enough iron to war and your consideration. Best of all, they can be a nice healthy supplement to your main meal while giving your other benefits that vegetables have to offer as well. Collard greens and kelp are other alternatives in this category.
Snack on dried fruits – if you’re looking for a healthy snack in the middle of the day, stay away from standards like potato chips or fast food. There are plenty of opportunities to eat healthy elements such as dried fruits like apricots, reasons, or prudence. They contain iron and offer a nice alternative to high calorie items, and you can always pair them with almonds or walnuts to help lower cholesterol as well.
Flavor with dried herbs – dried herbs are a nifty way to add iron to your diet while boosting your food with flavor. Things like dried oregano, thyme, and even black pepper can be used by even an ordinary chef in creative ways. Dried basil, ground to work, and parsley are good choices as well.
Treat yourself to some shellfish – one of the most unexpected foods high in iron comes in the form of oysters, mussels, and clams. Every once in a while, it’s nice to add to these elements to things like sauces, stews, or even soup. They are a nice treat that can also be enjoyed on their own whether you steam, barbecue, or stir-fried.
Red meat – this is one surefire way to give your body a boost of iron, but of course you have to be careful not to consume too much of it. Red meat is at the top of the list of high cholesterol foods in many cases, but that’s also because of the way people prepare it. Look for alternatives that stray away from using fattier elements like oil or butter. With moderation, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy red meat while finding other healthier substitutions for other days of the week.
Dried beans and dark green leafy vegetables are especially good sources of iron, even better on a per calorie basis than meat. Iron absorption is increased markedly by eating foods containing vitamin C along with foods containing iron. Vegetarians do not have a higher incidence of iron deficiency than do meat eaters.
Editor’s Note: This is a guest post that does NOT necessarily represent the opinions of our editorial team.
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