Iron Deficiency Anemia Nutrition
Therapy
Iron helps carry oxygen throughout your body. If you are not
eating enough iron-rich foods in your diet, you may feel tired
and run-down.
How Much Iron Do You Need? The amount of
iron you need each day is measured in milligrams (mg). The
general recommendations for healthy people are:
Women (ages 19-50 years): 18 mg iron per day
Women (ages 19-50 years): 27 mg if pregnant; 9 mg if
breastfeeding
Men (ages 19 years and older): 8 mg iron per day
Older women (ages 51 years and older): 8 mg iron per
day
Tips for Adding Iron to Your Eating Plan
Iron from meat, fish, and poultry is better absorbed than
iron from plants.
Include foods high in vitamin C such as citrus juice and
fruits, melons, dark green leafy vegetables, and potatoes with
your meals. This may help your body absorb more iron.
Eat enriched or fortified grain products.
Limit coffee and tea at meal times so as not to decrease iron
absorption.
Some cereals contain 18 mg iron per serving (such as Total,
100% bran flakes, Grapenuts, and Product 19). Having ¾ cup of
your preference will ensure your daily iron intake.
Foods
Recommended
Calms
Veal
Beef Oysters
Shrimps
Sardines
Tofu Cream of wheat
Baked potato with skin Spinach
Dried prunes
Bran Flakes
Navy beans Lentil beans
Kidney beans Lima beans
Poultry Cashews
Dried apricots Walnuts
Whole Wheat bread Cooked Kale
Iron Deficiency Anemia Sample 1-Day
Menu
Breakfast 1 serving citrus fruit
3/4 cup raisin bran cereal
1 egg
1 slice whole-wheat toast
1 tsp margarine
Lunch 3 ounces tuna fish
2 slices whole-grain bread
1/2 cup carrots
1 medium apple
1 tsp mayonnaise
1/2 cup low-fat or nonfat milk
Afternoon Snack 1 cup nonfat yogurt
1/2 cup grapes
1 pear
Evening Meal 3 ounces chicken
1 medium baked potato, with skin
1.5 cups mixed salad
1 tsp olive oil and vinegar dressing
1/2 cup low-fat or nonfat milk
Finished