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Best Iron Foods?

Hi all - I have a vegetarian son and we've just got blood results to say how low in iron he is. He is going to be on meds for three months to get them up again.

I'm also often low in iron.

Anyone know the best foods for iron? Any tips?

I know - spinach and to have iron with Vit C to help absorption.

TIA!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Angela on March 9, 2010 at 9:21am: Lentils, lentils and more lentils :-)

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=52; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marilynn - Mums on Top Editor on March 9, 2010 at 2:39pm: Oooh! You know, I don't think I've eaten a lentil in my life!!!

How do you have them Angela?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nicky P on March 9, 2010 at 4:24pm: spaghetti bolognase except red lentils instead of mince... or shepherds pie, or lentil pie (in puff pastry) or burgers....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Angela on March 10, 2010 at 1:30am: Just like Nicky really. Use all sorts of them as a meet substitute for things like bolognaise, cottage/shepherds pie, moussaka, lasagne. My other half loves curry so makes various lentil dahl’s. I add a handful any risotto or soup too. They also make a great salad side dish.

My fave is puy (French) lentils with various herbs, coriander, thyme, dill whatever takes your fancy than add a generous amount of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and pomegranate molasses - yum.

Love this website too:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/advanced_search.shtml

You can search for all sorts of stuff and norrow it down to veggie, vegan, summer, winter, child friendly etc.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nicky P on March 10, 2010 at 12:29pm: oh yeah puy lentils with roast vege and balsamic makes a great salad!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rebecca on March 9, 2010 at 10:32am: this has been a subject dear to my heart for the past two years as i've been pregnant most of the time and pretty low in iron most of that time!

so - yes lentils, but lots of beans actually - Kidney, lima, navy, black, pinto, soy beans as well.

also dried apricots, almonds, oat flakes, dried peaches and prunes ... so some kind of muesli?

you can also get iron fortified cereals, breads and pastas ...

and obviously beef (for you marilyn, if you eat meat?); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marilynn - Mums on Top Editor on March 9, 2010 at 2:37pm: Lots of ideas here - thanks so much!

Now how to get them in him....:); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Emily Aston on March 9, 2010 at 10:30pm: veggie spag bol with lentils as Nicky suggested and also lasagne (with the lentil spag bol sauce) and also nacho's with a sauce made from tomatoes, lentils, garlic and onion are all pretty good. My husband and son both eat them up easily and neither of them 'like' lentils, but neither of them KNOW they have lentils in!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Etomia Wilson on March 9, 2010 at 12:03pm: Hi Marilynn,
I ahve subscribed to HFG for about four years they have the best info and recipes this is a link to their article on iron, also have a look at their website for the recipes very helpful.
Cheers Etomia

http://www.healthyfood.co.nz/articles/2008/october/are-you-getting-...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marilynn - Mums on Top Editor on March 9, 2010 at 2:37pm: There's a great pdf on this page - thanks Etomia.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Zoe on March 9, 2010 at 12:57pm: My hubby is a veggie too and we have agreed to bring our little girl up as a veggie until she can decide what she wants to do for herself. She is only just starting out on solids but I have been giving her lentils every evening mixed in with other foods.

I will definitely follow this thread as I am quite concerned about her iron levels.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marilynn - Mums on Top Editor on March 9, 2010 at 2:39pm: It's interesting, isn't it? The doctor said that it wasn't just vegetarians - she has a lot of children low in iron and on treatment.; ▶ Reply to This