High Iron Diet
Purpose: To provide a regular diet which includes foods high in iron in order to increase or maintain iron storage levels for prevention of iron deficiency anemia. The need for iron is increased during infancy, during growth spurts, during pregnancy and lactation, and after a significant blood loss (which you have experienced as a result of surgery).
Principles:
- There are 2 forms or iron, heme and non-heme. Heme iron is found in meat, fish and poultry; non-heme is found in eggs, grains, fruits and vegetables. Heme iron is absorbed better than non-heme iron.
- Vitamin C enhances iron absorption.
- Cooking with iron utensils can add to iron in foods.
- Iron toxicity is possible, although unlikely form dietary souces alone.
- Iron supplements may be indicated for individuals with severe iron deficiency.
- A regular diet is provided with inclusion of at least 4 foods per day from the iron-rich foods list.
½ cup cereal - cooked, fortified with iron
6 medium raw oysters
2 oz. Beef liver
1 cup Carnation Instant Breakfast
1 cup chili con carne, with beans
¾ cup iron fortified dry cereal
¾ cup raisin bran cereal
½ cup clams
2 oz. Sardines
2 oz. Beef heart
2/3 cup cooked soybeans
2 oz. Veal roast
2/3 cup cooked lentils
½ cup cooked spinach
5 medium figs, dried
1 medium avocado
2 oz. Canned shrimp
½ cup raw tofu
½ cup lima beans
2 oz. Beef, rib roast
½ cup boiled chard
½ cup kidney beans
2 slices whole wheat bread
5 halves dried peaches
½ cup raisins
Gurdev S. Gill, M.D. | 3601 22nd Place
Lubbock, Texas 79410
Tel: 806-797-9119 | Fax: 806-797-7669
Lubbock, Texas 79410
Tel: 806-797-9119 | Fax: 806-797-7669