The main reason you might want to increase iron in your diet to combat the condition of anemia. Anybody who has ever been anemic knows it’s a horrible feeling characterized by extreme fatigue. Or sometimes there are no symptoms of anemia at all and it takes a visit to your doctor before you find out that something is wrong. Whatever reason you are looking to increase your daily intake of iron, there are several ways to do it through delicious iron rich foods that you can incorporate into your daily diet. Foods high in iron come in all shapes and sizes and with a touch of creativity you can enjoy them and some of your favorite recipes. Just make sure that you don’t overload on one type of food completely because you don’t want to create an imbalance or a deficiency in another area.
Here is a list of foods high in iron and simple suggestions for how to enjoy them.
Red meats – when people ask themselves what foods are high in iron, the most obvious answer comes in the form of red meat. Whether it’s a nice big juicy steak, pot roast, or prime rib, there are plenty of ways to enjoy ready to get iron intake as well.
Seafood – various forms of seafood have a variety of benefits and being high iron foods is one of them. Best of all, seafood can be a delicious dish that also adds to your overall health whenever you happen to eat it.
Lamb – Lamb is a delicious dish that really packs a lot of flavor and you can prepare in a variety of ways. When cooked properly it is a wonderful alternative to traditional red meat while retaining all the tender juiciness. This is truly one of the mose delicious iron rich foods around.
Liver – if you want to get a boost of iron right away then there’s nothing better than liver. The only problem is that it’s doesn’t fit well with everyone’s tastes so it’s probably not the most popular choice on this list. But as a food high in iron you can find a way to enjoy it using the traditional recipe of liver and onions. Panseared liver can actually be quite deliciously prepared properly and a touch of garlic and olive oil finish off the dish quite well.
Kidney – another organ meats that might not be the most popular choice but it is undeniably a food high in iron.
Dried fruits – things like raisins, apricots, and prunes can be a delicious treat during any time of the day. They are also foods rich in iron that can come in extremely handy whenever you need a quick snack.
Nuts – as long as you don’t eat too many salted nuts there are a variety of nuts second make the perfect snack food. Things like almonds and walnuts can actually help you to reduce cholesterol levels as well. Foods high in iron don’t come any simpler than various forms of nuts that you can pop into your mouth.
Spinach and broccoli – these two are mentioned in the same breath as foods high in iron because while they are very nutritious, they are the most popular vegetables out there either. But this is where creativity in the kitchen comes into play because if you can make simple additions to these wonderful vegetables it’s entirely possible to have extremely healthy side dishes that go with almost everything. One trick that people like to use this to grind up spinach or broccoli into pasta sauce which gives a quick boost to nutritional value.
Curry – with certain Curry powders you get a high iron content in addition to a potent way to flavor your food. Curry as a multicultural dimension to any type of meat ranging from chicken to be to fish. Don’t be afraid to experiment with this wonderful spicy alternative. It’s the perfect thing to combine with other iron rich foods and meats.
Cereal – when it comes to foods high in iron, cereal can be a wonderful way to start the day off. Just make sure to go with healthy alternatives rather than all those sugary products marketed towards children. Brands like Special K or Bran Flakes are good cereals that are also foods rich in iron.
For more information on eating you can consult this list of high cholesterol foods.
Foods High in Iron Conclusion
Remember that iron is not always easily absorbed depending on how you take it and other factors as well. The following things can help with the absorption of iron and many of them are healthy foods themselves: Vitamin C that comes in the form of oranges, strawberries, grapes. Also vegetables like brussels sprouts, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. On the other end of the scale, things that can inhibit the absorption of iron include coffee, tea, and red wine. In the end, keep in mind that there are many options out there so if one type of food doesn’t seem appealing, move on the next on the list and enjoy!
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