Discover Foods High In Iron

foods high in iron
Iron is essential to the body to produce red blood cells. Iron also plays a role in many other bodily functions, including the production of DNA and RNA and enzymes that help with metabolism and growth. In this article we'll discuss some of the foods that are high in iron and the benefits that may bring.

Iron is so important that if you do not get enough of it through your diet, your body will start to break down its stores of iron to ensure you have enough to keep going. That’s why iron deficiency is common in people who don’t get enough Iron from their diet.

Anemia is one of the most common side effects of low iron intake. The two most common types of Anemia are caused by either a lack of red blood cells or a lack of hemoglobin in those red blood cells. If you have Anemia because you lack hemoglobin, you may experience fatigue and weakness. To avoid Anemia, you should try to consume more foods high in Iron. These symptoms can be reversed if you increase your iron intake and bring your hemoglobin levels back to normal.

Eating balanced meals is the best way to get enough Iron in your diet. You should also make sure to eat foods high in iron. Maintaining a balanced diet is a good strategy to support overall health which will help you to cover all of the nutrients required including macronutrients and micronutrients.

We need macronutrients to thrive; they can be broken down into protein, carbs, and fats. According to the data, the average person consumes about 200 grams of carbs each day. A varied diet should contain enough carbs to support your activities unless you are following a low-carb or keto approach.

Micronutrients are also essential in your diet and help you maintain your health. Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals. Many people do not get enough of these nutrients, which may lead to health problems in the future.

FOODS RICH IN IRON

Boosting your iron intake can be done by eating plenty of the following foods. You should also try to include foods containing vitamin C which can be obtained from fruits and/or vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of phytochemicals, which help your body to extract more nutrients from the food you eat. Foods To Boost Your Iron Levels include:

Red Meat

Red meat is a good source of Iron. You can get adequate Iron from eating 3 ounces of cooked red meat. These foods are also packed with other nutrients, and they can help you maintain good health. They also increase blood-making minerals, which are important for maintaining good health. 

Shellfish

Shellfish is a good source of Iron and also a very good source of both protein and calcium. Shellfish is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for your heart and brain health. Good sources of shellfish include oysters, prawns, crab and crayfish.

Fish

Fish can be a good source of iron and also omega-3 fatty acids, which can help to reduce inflammation. There are different types of fish that are rich in iron including salmon, tuna, haddock, mackerel, and sardines.

Turkey

Turkey is a good source of Iron. You can get adequate daily iron from eating 3 ounces of cooked turkey. Turkey is also packed with other nutrients including B vitamins and selenium which can help you maintain good health.

Beef Liver & Organs

Beef liver is an excellent source of iron and contains the most concentrated source of just about every nutrients. If you don't like the idea of buying and preparing beef liver then freeze-dried beef liver and organs are available at most health food stores. There are several benefits of beef liver supplements, including:

  • Clean Energy Source: Beef liver provides a clean energy source since it contains Vitamin B. Vitamin B is a complex vitamin in the body which greatly supports the metabolism. Your body uses vitamins to turn food into chemical energy, which fuels your cells. Vitamins also aid in turning fats into chemical energy. 

  • Skin Health: Beef liver has many other benefits, including skin health. Beef Liver is a great source of Vitamins A and D. Vitamin A aids in healthy skin and helps to keep your bones strong and healthy. Vitamin D is also known as the “sunshine vitamin” because it is necessary to absorb calcium in your body. 

  • Reduces Risk of Anemia: Beef liver is a bioavailable source of iron. The iron in beef liver helps to reduce the risk of Anemia. Anemia occurs when the red blood cells and the body’s ability to transport oxygen from the lungs to other body parts are deficient. You can read more about this in our article titled Could This Be The Solution To Low Energy & Anemia?

  • Beef liver is also a good source of Vitamins B12 and B6. Vitamin B12 is important for energy production and healthy red blood cells. Vitamin B6 aids in converting carbohydrates into energy, which fuels your brain and nervous system.
Nuts & Seeds

Nuts and seeds are a good source of non-heme iron. Those who wish to increase their total daily iron intake should add the following varieties to their diet, as they contain the highest amounts: Pumpkin, sesame, hemp and flaxseeds. It's important to note that your body can absorb heme iron (from animal protein) more readily and is reported to be up to 18% more bioavailable. Non-heme iron, the iron source in vegetarian diets, has a bioavailability of 5–12%. The reason for this is that many plant foods that contain iron also contain phytic acid and oxalates which significantly inhibit the body's ability to absorb iron. You can read more about this in our article titled Is Iron From Plants or Meat Better?
 

Green Leafy Vegetables

A wide variety of green leafy vegetables offer good sources of non-heme iron. Vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and kale are popular options but are subject to the bioavailability issues as outlined above.

Conclusion

As you can see from the information above, adding beef liver and organ meats into your diet makes a lot of nutritional sense if you are feeling fatigued or want to combat low iron and/or anemia. If you’re still not comfortable with the idea of buying and preparing organ meats you're not alone. Fortunately there is an easy solution...

Our beef liver and beef organ supplements are contained in easy-to-take flavourless capsules. They are non-defatted to preserve the fat-soluble nutrient content (including vitamin A) and are freeze-dried, which also helps preserve the full range of nutrients. They are 100% hormone, antibiotic and GMO-free and are 100% grass-fed and organic from the pristine Tasmanian pastures.

Back to blog