Iron Deficiency Anemia - Recipes

[Tink22-sleeve 528]

Hi All,

I am 11 years post sleeve. I recently had lab work done (it had been quite awhile) and was shocked to find out how anemic I am. I thought I had a decent diet. Anyway....

I am wondering if anyone has some recipe ideas for Iron-rich foods?

Thank you in advance.

I will ask about the best tolerated Iron supplements in another forum.

[Arabesque 7,595]

Anemia is becoming more common these days. I know several women who are anaemic & have regular transfusions. Rarely heard of it 10 years ago.

Are you still eating a high Protein diet? Have they looked for a possible cause of your anaemia? Infection, auto immune issue, absorption issue, etc.

Make sure you’re consuming Iron rich foods including:

• Red meat, pork and poultry
• Seafood
• Beans
• Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach
• Dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots
• Iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas
• Peas

Increase your Vitamin C as it aids iron absorption. As well as citrus fruits try:

• Broccoli
• Grapefruit
• Kiwi
• Leafy greens
• Melons
• Oranges
• Peppers
• Strawberries
• Tangerines
• Tomatoes

Do you still have your dietician’s details? Maybe you can contact them for some advice.

[SleeveToBypass2023 2,680]

Make sure you take a Vitamin C pill on top of your Multivitamin. I'm also quite anemic, and I found out I have a problem with absorbing Iron. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, so I take a multivitamin, eat iron rich foods, and take a vit c supplement and I've managed to keep my iron at the low positive levels (used to be extremely low and had to have iron infusions).

[lizonaplane 1,613]

It turns out that most meats have almost as much Iron as beef, so eat whatever meat/seafood you want.

Veggies may have good amounts of iron, but it's usually non-heme iron, which is harder for your body to absorb.

It's hard to get enough iron from food unless you are eating enriched/fortified foods, and most of those are not that healthy (think sugar-laden cereals and bread and pasta). Be a label sleuth and figure out some good options. I'm not sure if the iron added to enriched foods is heme or non-heme iron.

[Tink22-sleeve 528]

Thank you all so much for sharing this wonderful info with me. All very helpful. Thanks for the food list, and suggestions regarding heme and Vitamin C. Very appreciated.

[learn2cook 627]

I cook often in an Iron pan. It helps boost the iron content. It can go right into the broiler or oven. I take Vitamin C like the others said too. Raisins have a high iron content if you’re looking to add a little extra here and there. A couple times a week, who am I kidding, weekends only, I remember to throw in some spinach/ham in an omelette and eat it with 4oz of V8. Kapow!

[Tink22-sleeve 528]

1 hour ago, learn2cook said:

I cook often in an Iron pan. It helps boost the Iron content. It can go right into the broiler or oven. I take Vitamin C like the others said too. Raisins have a high iron content if you’re looking to add a little extra here and there. A couple times a week, who am I kidding, weekends only, I remember to throw in some spinach/ham in an omelette and eat it with 4oz of V8. Kapow!

Great tips, learn2cook! Thanks so much!