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Need ideas for iron rich foods, my levels are very low.
Started
by Ambercam
on January 14, 2013
Hi! I got my iron stores and hemoglobin chckd today, and both were very low. I've been vegan for a year, and thought I was eating really healthy. I'm going to start taking a supplement, but I would like to get as much iron as I can from my diet. Any suggestions?
Pepitas are great (raw pumpkin seeds), black eyed peas, lentils, chia, pea soup, black strap molasses. The nutiva organic hemp protein powder has 40% daily requirement. I do a chocolate hemp smoothie every afternoon with 3 tablespoons hemp powder + 2.5 tablespoons raw cacao (which also has iron) + 10 almonds + banana (half or whole is fine) + 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut (optional) + 1 cup almond milk + 4 ish ice cubes and blend! Also has 26 ish protein. :)
When you take your iron supplement make sure it's w/vit C (ascorbic acid) to be better absorbed. Gentle Iron by Solgar is a good one...non-constipating & easy on the stomach. I recently learned that iron is better absorbed if you don't take it w/calcium or zinc. Cooking w/cast iron adds iron to your foods, too.
Make also sure you don't drink coffee or tea after meals, if you drink any... chocolate is also inhibiting iron uptake. I take supplements during my period to make sure I don't run out my iron storage :) Good luck!
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