Borderline Anemic

[newyearspromise]

I went to the doctor today for a yearly physical. Everything bloodwork-wise was great, except they said I am boaderline anemic.

Doc asked me how I was feeling, and I told him great, that I don't even need 8 hours of sleep anymore (I need about 6.5) since I went raw.

He was very open to the raw thing, and suggested that probably the past couple of weeks I just haven't been getting enough iron, and to be more conscious of my iron intake, and we would do another iron test next month.

My question: What are the most iron-rich raw foods out there? I can incorporate them daily and should be fine...

Anyone else have this problem?

[Rawkinlocs]

Read this thread please: http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10010

[Angelina]

Greens!! I love my spinach and would use a ton (really about 1 lb. of baby spinach, a mango and a banana) in my green smoothies. Also, have you tried sprouted lentils? I keep it simple so I haven't gotten into sprouting but lentils are a great source of iron. Also, unhulled sesame seeds and if you can find it Tahini made from unhulled sesame (the only brand I've found is Artisana, which is high in calcium also). I would include at least one of these every day. Can't think of anything else off the top of my head, but I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions..

[greeninlosangeles]

If you feel great, and if it is just borderline - you might be okey as it is. Don't forget, that those "norms" were created for people who eat cooked food. Ideal rawfooders cholesterol is just a little over 100, but they would say you are starving. They also would say you have leukemia, because your white blood cells are so low. But I think for these things to happen you need to be long time raw(2-3 years). Now, I am not sure about the iron, but I just wanted to encourage to research that.
I did not go to doctors, but my blood pressure now is 100/50, and used to be 120/80. I am not sure if it is perfect, but I feel great unless I am detoxing.

[solarliving]

Parsley has iron and vitamin C. I like to add parsley to my smoothies and I have been eating tabouli salad a lot lately. You can make it without the quinoa. Parsley, onion, garlic, tomato, mint, lemon, oil, salt, and water. I would just look up a recipe on line.

[Rawkinlocs]

Ooo thanks for that tip about the parsley Solarliving! I, too, like the flavor of parsley in my smoothies...now I'll use it more often.

[solarliving]

HeyRawkinlocs,

You're welcome. It also has vitamin A among other vitamins

Parsley is useful for:

female menstrual problems, including flatulence, water retention, period pain and indigestion
tonic for the nervous system
rheumatism
tonsillitis
kidney stones
asthma
coughs
dysmenorrhoea
cystitis
conjunctivitis
tired, sore or irritated eyes
reducing pain and inflammation, and speeding healing of wounds and stings
increases the flow of breast milk
broken capillaries, varicose veins, bruises and psoraisis
eradicating scalp infestations
breath freshener

[Rawkinlocs]

Cool! :cool:

[newyearspromise]

I never would have even thought of the parsley.

I found the other thread. Funny, very similar situation on the same day. I guess this is the time of year for physicals??

:D