10 Foods That Can Boost Your Iron Levels Naturally
Long or heavy periods suck for a heap of practical reasons, but if you’re bleeding heavily every month, there’s also a chance that your OTT flow can cause an iron deficiency.
When the body’s iron levels drop due to heavy bleeding it can lead to anemia. We need iron to produce red blood cells to transport oxygen around the body. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia can include dizziness, weakness, pale skin and feeling next-level knackered.
If you’re diagnosed with anemia, your doctor may prescribe you iron tablets. But for mild anemia, you can often boost your iron levels by changing your diet. Here are 10 iron-rich foods that can give you a boost.
1. Liver
It might not be the first thing you gravitate to on a menu, but a plateful of nutrient-rich liver is a powerhouse of iron. It also contains a high level of Vitamin A that helps the body get rid of toxins as well as regulating blood sugar and fat. Try it.
2. Sesame seeds
Packed with copper, phosphorus, vitamin E, and zinc, sesame seeds are a rich source of iron and are easy to sprinkle onto salads and sandwiches. Just don’t spill the bag, that’s beyond annoying.
3. Legumes
Also known as pulses, legumes are beans, peas and lentils and are high in iron, calcium, zinc, protein and B vitamins and are a great replacement for red meat. Toss them into a salad or whip up a hearty stew.
4. Oysters
They’re usually known for their aphrodisiac properties, but every now and again a sexy serving of fresh oysters (hello holiday food!), can give you an iron boost too. 85 grams of the slippery stuff can provide more than 30% of your daily iron intake.
5. Leafy greens
Broccoli, collard greens, kale and the leafy green favorite, spinach, are all rich in iron and minerals and super-easy to slip into your meals every day. Make them a side portion of your main meal or whizz up in a smoothie for a hit of iron. FYI – cooked spinach provides a greater amount of iron than eating it raw.
6. Fortified cereals
Choose a iron-fortified cereal get your morning off to an iron-rich start. Check the labels to find a cereal that contains up to 100% of your recommended daily amount of iron per serving. Job done.
7. Dried apricots
Did you know that those squidgy little dried apricots are an excellent source of iron and nutrients? Keep a stash in your bag to snack on in the day or eat with yogurt and honey for a healthy desert. Yum.
8. Brown rice
It’s a smart move to make the simple switch from white to brown rice because brown rice is naturally rich in fiber as well as containing more iron than the white stuff – cook with Vitamin C rich foods such red and yellow peppers, tomatoes and broccoli to up your iron intake.
9. Tofu
Highly versatile but often dismissed as a tad bland, tofu is a mega source of iron but the secret is nailing some tasty recipes to cook it up. Tofu takes on the taste of the sauces and seasonings it’s combined with so experiment with flavor–rich ingredients and you might learn to love it.
10. Strawberries
With summer around the corner (yey!), it makes sense to start adding them to your diet now – especially if you’re in need of an iron boost. Fresh strawbs not only provide a hit of iron but also contain vitamin C, helping your body to absorb more of the iron it needs.
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