Anemic here...Ideas for iron-rich foods

[goingrawchelle]

It's me again, in addition to being diagnosed with hypothyroid, I am also very anemic. The doc told me I"m running a quart low on blood. He prescribed me 650 mg of iron, but again, I don't want to fill this. So........I'm hoping to hear about some very iron-rich foods so I can "eat" instead of "pop."

You all are such great encouragers and supporters!

[RawKnitster]

According to the maker of Vitamineral Green, a heaping Tablespoon contains 150% RDA of iron. (I don't know how many mg that is.) I believe Alissa's Green Food Powder is the same Jameth Sheridan formula, and Alissa's is the best price.

I've seen some other posters that suggest adding a little citrus in with the iron rich foods as the Vitamin C helps with absorption of iron.

[katchmoleen]

Kale kale kale kale. 2mg per half cup.

Also sesame, figs, dates, prunes

[joya]

Blackstrap Molasses... but then again, I don't think that can be raw, can it?

[Rachiel]

Im also anaemic and don't take my pills. I don't have any suggestions but you aren't the only one who doesn't like popping their minerals!

[RawSar]

Aleesha here has mentioned some where that adding something high in vitamin C will help absorb the iron I believe..? If your juicing greens (loads of iron in greens!) add a lemon!
Green smoothies will also be good to get more greens in.

[Pitaya]

steeped nettles ! that is all i know right now but I am looking into this further as we speak....apparently Susan Weed is the authority on this one. time for google...

[Raw Angel Mom]

Goji berries has 4 to 5 times more iron then red meat.

Make sure he isn't B12 deficiency, this will lead to anemia.

[magi81]

1 cup raw fava beans = 10.1 mg iron, according to www.nutritiondata.com.

Not 100% sure how great they taste but I was shocked to hear their iron content being on the anemicky side myself.

[rawtaylor]

sea vegetables, prune juice (don't overdo it!), spinach, swiss chard, turnip greens, pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, broccoli, watermelon, dates

Enjoy eating all that! :)

[freshlight]

I was anemic too...what helped me a lot were:

beetroot
stinging nettles
broccoli
spinach

...you could also mix them all together,- it works!

Also keep in mind that the rawfoodies have different blood levels: the iron and the vit. b12 is lower than the sad-folks' Doesn't mean you are ill though. As soon as I found out about it, all the fear was gone. :) Get well soon!

[goingrawchelle]

Okay. Thanks everyone for your tips and information. I know I can count on you! :D

[Mary Kay]

While on a raw-juice fast once, I had my blood levels tested. My iron (hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, were above the levels or right at the top) I was doing a lot of greens. Again, with the high oxalate greens, make sure to have a Vit C source at the same time. I have gotten into trouble with this. the Vit C will bind with the oxalates and make the minerals (including iron - as others have mentioned - more available.

HTH,

Mary kay

[PammieTaj]

While on a raw-juice fast once, I had my blood levels tested. My iron (hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, were above the levels or right at the top) I was doing a lot of greens. Again, with the high oxalate greens, make sure to have a Vit C source at the same time. I have gotten into trouble with this. the Vit C will bind with the oxalates and make the minerals (including iron - as others have mentioned - more available.

HTH,

Mary kay

What Mary Kay said. Also - get the caffeine out if it isn't out already. Caffeine impairs the body's ability to absorb iron and can deplete iron stores.

[RawKnitster]

1 cup raw fava beans = 10.1 mg iron, according to www.nutritiondata.com.

Not 100% sure how great they taste but I was shocked to hear their iron content being on the anemicky side myself.

There is another thread around here from a while back where the potential dangers of raw fava beans were discussed. In Greece, fava beans are not eaten raw because some people have a fatal reaction to raw fava beans. Since there is no way to find out beforehand if you are allergic, they simply don't eat them raw.

[sport]

I add nettles to my green juice.

[goingrawchelle]

Caffeine impairs the body's ability to absorb iron and can deplete iron stores.

Oh that's right!!! Thank you for reminding me about caffeine.

Back in August I couldn't give blood because I tested as not having enough iron to share. The lady told me that a doctor would tell me I had enough. Boy, was she wrong. Anyway, she gave me a list of what to eat and avoid and caffeine was one to avoid. Not thinking I needed that list, I just tossed it in the garbage.

I'm still having coffee from time to time, but I have noticed, funny enough, that when I drink my green smoothies, I have NO desire whatsoever for coffee! It's my mind calling out for it. :rolleyes: