Four ways to pump up your iron intake
Jacki Halas
| 2 min read
Iron is an important mineral that our bodies need to carry out important functions, such as transporting oxygen from our lungs to other areas of our systems, like our muscles. Lack of iron in the human body can affect organ systems and cause fatigue among other ailments. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that “iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency and the leading cause of anemia in the United States”.
Here are four easy ways to add more iron to your diet:
- Beef up your meat consumption. Lean cuts of beef, chicken, lamb, pork, veal and even seafood, such as clams and oysters, contain heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the human body.
- Don’t skip out on breakfast. Not only will eating in the morning boost your metabolism, but this early meal can help you reach your daily serving of iron since so many cereals and oatmeal contain fortified iron.
- Sneak spinach onto your sandwich. Popeye loved spinach because it made him strong and gave him energy. Spinach is a super food that helps ward off diabetes and heart disease and is iron-rich. Slip these leafy greens into salads and onto sandwiches to get your daily intake.
- Wash down your meal with OJ. According to WebMD, you should consume food or drinks that contain Vitamin C in combination with iron-rich foods, so that your body can better absorb the iron.
How do you ensure that you’re getting enough iron in your daily diet? Share your tips in the comments below.
Photo credit: hmmlargeart
