Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Iron Deficiency Diet in Questions

Could a red meat-free diet lead to iron deficiency? I'm a fins-and-feathers vegetarian (meaning I only eat birds and fish, no red meat or pork). Is it true that the meats I eat have less iron and could lead to a iron deficiency?
Ok, according to some of you I'm not a vegetarian, even tho I don't eat mammals. But that's really not what I'm asking.......


в˜† в˜… в˜† в˜… в˜† allison в˜† в˜… в˜† в˜… в˜† replied: "First of all; no, you're not a vegetarian at all.

Red meat is bad for you, with so many healthy alternatives to the meat. You can have vitamins, breakfast cereals, fake meat, spinach and other leafy greens, as well as the meat you already eat."


kykyiiia replied: "eat more dark leaf veggies and nuts, use supplement. it would be much better for your body than meat"


Steve R replied: "No, since chicken and fish contain iron. Beef has more iron than chicken."


sdssed replied: "No, there are plenty of non meat foods that have iron like beans and spinach. You can also take ferro-sequels (iron supplements) if you're low.
"


lerxstwannabe replied: "You're kidding, right? Ever watch the old Popeye cartoons?

I know it's a pretty ludicrous sounding answer, but in all seriousness, dark leafy greens are a HUGE source of iron. There are a large number of other fruits and vegetables that also contain large supplies of iron.

On top of that, they don't have the excess "luggage" that their meat counterparts carry with them..."


(**) replied: "It's possible but highly unlikely."


Neely Jenkins replied: "That first answerer stole the words right from my mouth.

EDIT:
vegetarian means you don't eat any meat at all. you can't just cut out one type of meat and call yourself a "fins-n-feathers vegetarian." there's no such thing. you're twisting around the meaning of the word. you can't do that with anything else, so why with this term? vegetarians on here are just insulted that you're throwing around that term so casually when we take it really seriously. we're just getting territorial, that's all. i apologize if we insulted you, but it's because we feel you insulted us."


Piscespets replied: "Your not a vegetarian at all.

You can get iron from things other than meat.

Let me reiterate...YOU are NOT a VEGETARIAN."


Spring Has Sprung me replied: "You are not any kind of vegetarian. Vegetarians don't eat animal flesh.

Yes, cutting out red meat can lead to an iron deficiency but people that eat red meat can be iron deficient as well.

Eating green leafy veges zaps that problem."


mike453683 replied: "Some people have problems with iron metabolism and some of that is diet associated. Women have been known to be more prone to this even with red meat diets. A sure way to never have the problem or to help with insuring the iron is present is to use cast iron cookware. It's difficult to properly get it seasoned to use initially and can be a real problem if not cleaned properly but you get constant iron naturally. Teflon is useless. I've had my cast iron ware for more than 10 years and it's better now than it ever was."


How can I avoid iron-deficiency in a vegan diet??? I've been doing some research lately, and for more reasons than I care to explain here, I'm seriously considering switching to a vegan diet. I am very concerned about nutrient deficiencies. I thought maybe I would just become a lacto-ovo vegitarian, but honestly, I can't in good concience do that, because the egg and diary buisiness is just as cruel if not more so as the actual meat buisiness is. I've done some research and found dietary solutions to the potential nutrient deficiencies, but my one remaining concern is an iron deficiencies. I've had borderline low iron in the past when donating blood, and I'm concerned about that if I switch to a vegan diet. I'm considering eating small amounts of wild-caught fish to fix this problem. Just how much or often would I need to eat fish to meet my iron requirements??? Cause too much of it can be harmful as well, what with pollution and mercury and all that crap. I'm a 21 year old girl wondering how to meet iron requirments humanely.
Please serious answers only. I don't want to hear ignorant stuff like "Eat a burger b**ch!" and the like. I'm doing this because of my beliefs, so be respectful please. If the things that are done to cows and chickens were done to dogs and cats in meat plants, there would be an outcry the likes of which has never been seen. I can't be a part of that.
Yes, I'm aware that fish isn't vegan (I'm sorry I didn't clarify that in my original question). I was considering just being a pesce-vegetarian, if that's what I needed to do to stay healthy. However, thanks to the awesome answers I've recieved, I'm confident that I'll be able to have a healthy vegan diet afterall!


в˜† в˜… в˜† в˜… в˜† allison в˜† в˜… в˜† в˜… в˜… replied: "Spinach, nuts, soymilk, chickpeas, other beans.
You dont need fish."


Orange replied: "That's great you're considering a vegan diet!

There are plenty of iron-rich vegan foods. They include: black beans, bran flakes, cashews, Cream of Wheat, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), GrapeNuts, kidney beans, lentils, navy beans, oatmeal, pumpkin seeds, raisins, soybeans, soymilk, spinach, sunflower seeds, tofu, tomato juice, and whole wheat bread.

Eating vitamin C-rich foods (like citrus fruits and peppers) when you eat iron-rich foods is a good way to increase iron absorption. You could take a multi-vitamin that contains iron as a precaution.

(Fish is not vegetarian or vegan, just to clarify.)

Hope this helps!"


Animals Are Cool replied: "You can take iron supplements and eat lots of leafy green veggies, beans, and raisins. Organic food bars also have a pretty good amount of iron too.
"


exsft replied: "Green leafy vegetables are high in iron. Google "iron" and you will get a lot of sources and references of vegan friendly high iron foods. Then just take your pick."


mockingbird replied: "You don't need fish, nor would you be vegan if you ate it.

Vegans get their iron by eating iron-rich foods, pairing them with vitamin C-rich foods to enhance absorption and, if necessary, from taking iron supplements.

Here are some iron-rich foods to make sure you include in your diet:"


emilove replied: "I have a bowl of Kashi Granola in the morning with Silk Soymilk.
Eat a bunch of ceareals and whole wheats throughout the day. Soy also has a bunch of iron, and so do nuts.

Just make sure to read the ingredients before you eat it!
(look out for "whey". it's just milk protein!)

Hope I helped!:D"


rome replied: "Eat Liver"


Sissy replied: "In addition to the iron rich foods that are listed, you should invest in a cast iron skillet. You know these are the old fashioned heavy black skillets. You could find one on eBay. Do not put it in the dishwasher though. Hand clean in and occasionally rub it with a vegtable oil and wipe off to keep it "cured". It will last forever. It will enrich your veggies and hand caught fish with iron, you may also use it to make cornbread."


Ashley F replied: "Other than iron in foods, you can try Iron Supplements, mulitvitamins, etc. You can always talk to a doctor, it is easier that way to find the right vitamin/supplement because you know you are getting the right stuuf in your body for your age and lifestyle."


Crystal replied: "Eat more of the non-heam sources for iron, don't forget need to up Vit C, it helps to absords iron.

There are 2 forms of iron in food. Haem and non-heam sources.

The non-heam source are soy beans (1 cup) 9.2mg, leafy veg (1 cup) 1.4g, broccoli (1 stalk) 1.4mg, Prunes (5-6) 1.8mg iron.

List of rich iron foods -
brown rice, wholemeal pasta, apricot, dired red/black dates, raisines, dried longan, fig, peach, kale, kang kong, chinese cabbage, seaweed, cashew nut, walnut, pistachio, lotus seed, almond, sunflowe rseed, lentil, gram, tofu etc"


Scocasso ! replied: "Well, don't be worried by such things that you are reading.
There are lots of foods with iron in them.
Humans are 'designed' to be vegan... our bodies know what to do.
Also, deficiencies are not just caused by a *lack* of a certain nutrient, but also by an imbalanced body, and by leeching, and absorption ability, etc. It's very difficult to avoid iron or most other nutrients. You might want to look at other factors involved.

I'll repeat what I told someone else:

Look up Iron here:...

Just right click and save to your computer -- it has every vitamin and mineral etc. you need to know about and lists sources etc.

Also, you may want to use this product instead of iron pills:

But remember, in the end, you should not need such products unless you are say... doing some very intensive exercise etc."


hellinore_rigby replied: "I'm borderline anemic and a vegan, but I struggled with my iron long before adopting the veg lifestyle.
I don't take the iron pills because they are really hard on my tummy.
I eat the following foods on a regular basis: raisins, spinach, collard greens, nuts, black beans.
You might want to also consider adding the following: dried apricots, kale, blackstrap molasses.
Anything that is dark green and leafy is a good source of iron. They make good side dishes/bases for salads.

To increase iron absorption, you will want to eat foods that have a lot of vitamin C. Strawberries, oranges, and green bell peppers are all good sources of that. Eat those foods about a half hour before or after an iron-rich meal.
You will also want to avoid alcohol, tea and coffee. They tend to prevent iron absorption.
If you do decide to be a vegetarian first (and not a vegan), you'll also want to avoid dairy products. They pretty much completely negate any iron-rich foods you eat.
You can also look for foods (such as cereals and soy milks) that are fortified with iron.

I hope that helps! I try to follow the above advice and I think I'm doing pretty well. I donate blood on a regular basis and my levels are good.
Good luck!"


what would the best foods to eat to add iron to my diet? my doctor says i have an iron deficiency. So he put me on some iron pills but i was wondering if there are any foods high in iron that i could add to my diet to help my iron levels come up faster.

Jason M replied: "Lean beef.Eggs.They contain iron."


jackie replied: "meats have have the tendency to have more iron in them. To increase your iron absorption you can consume foods with vitamin c in them, like orange juice to increase it."


Out of control replied: "Liver is a good source."


funguyy replied: "beef-
iron enriched breads and cereals are higher in iron than beef but the iron is beef is better absorbed."


ashlynn18 replied: "Vegan boca burgers
nuts
Vitamin fortified cereal such as all bran
Lentil soup"


How do I incorporate more protein and iron into my diet? I'm 18 years old and am in college. I'm on the Pill, and I have shorter periods every other month (with "regular" ones in between), and I'm told it's because of a protein and iron deficiency.
I'm not a vegetarian, by the way.
I'm not looking for weight loss, but thank you anyway.
I just want to be healthy.


Karen M replied: "Fish,shrimp,meat =]"


frapple_hok replied: "Eat eggs and lean meats. Try a protein supplement if it's easier. Check the links in my sources for supplements, and a link to a diet plan tool to get some high protein food suggestions."


Bella replied: "Don't cringe, but grilled liver and onions is one of the BEST ways to get protien and iron. I used to gag thinking about it, but then one day I tried it and it tasted good to me. It is rich in iron and if you eat beef liver then there is no religious problems to contend with.

Go ahead...TRY it!"


♥Shortstuff13♥ replied: "Eat more chicken, turkey, & lean red meat as a great source of protein. There's protein in dairy products & eggs, just don't overdo it in that respect. As for the iron, eat plenty of fresh green leafy veggies daily. There is a good Iron tablet that is sold over the counter & it's not expensive. My doctor recommended it to me, a few years ago. It boosted my Iron in no time at all. Sorry, I can't think of the name of it. I got it at my local drug store."


iron deficiency? I am 19 years young!

I am thinking if anything it could be anemia/iron deficiency. I would like to hear from people who have had the same problem or know enough (and i don't mean using GOOGLE to answer my Q.) to tell me if it is...

I am getting very weak and sick and have been thinking for a bit now that it's been an iron deficiency.

symptoms include:

*Extreme fatigue (go to bed by 9pm and still exhausted the next day)
*Headaches
*feeling weak, poor concentration
*rapid pulse (could be something else though?)
*Loss of appetite and feeling full over a spoonful of food.
*always feeling dizzy and unable to stand for long periods of time without feeling like i'm going to pass out.
*feel sick in general.


My diet isn't what you would call poor and im not inactive but lately i have been getting worse and i am going to be seeing the doctor in a week or earlier but would just like to know out of interest if that is my problem? Will be getting blood tests shortly.
oh just wanted to add:

* Have had iron deficiency for at least 2 years, had a test when i went to donate blood and wasn't allowed to due to low iron levels.
* Don't think it's dehydration, could be a contributing factor but i do drink water, probably not your "8 glasses a day" reccomendation..


Anj_RN replied: "it can be anemia if you're experiencing it for some time...

going to a doctor and having a CBC will definitely help u figure our what's wrong..

goodluck"


angelbsn replied: "Could be anemia, but you will only be able to tell with a blood test measuring your hemoglobin and hematocrit. Your symptoms could be a sign of dehydration as well; again, a blood test will measure your electrolytes and help your health care provider in making an accurate diagnosis. Are you consuming half your body's weight in water each day? Ex: if you weigh 150 pounds, you should consume 75 ounces of water each day to stay hydrated.

I have been anemic all my life and currently take Perfect Iron as a dietary supplement...doesn't have the side effects most iron supplements cause. However, I also feel weak, dizzy, and fatigued when I am dehydrated.

Good luck!"


Richard M replied: "Could be you have a Thyroid problem. Hypothyroidism"


how to i get iron in my pescetarian diet? i'm a pescetarain (vegetarian that eats fish,) and i'm constantly sick, like, a week a month at least and i've been having this weird feeling come over me when i stand up from sitting/laying down. For example, i get dizzy and everything kind of goes black. Two of my friends that are iron deficient anemic experience the same thing. I am getting tested for iron deficiency in two days but if i am, what kind of diet should i have to make sure i get enough iron other than vitamins?

Natasha replied: "Actually, you don't have to diet per se to lose weight, I discovered this at the web portal in the box below, they have plenty of tips and tricks, I melted away 8 pounds by taking their advice."


ToasterPenguin replied: "Molasses has Iron in it."


chocaletchip replied: "I am a peskatarian as well and I mostly eat healthy foods like lots of fruits and vegetables..."


How long do I have before I put myself at risk of iron deficiency anaemia? I am planning to go on a 4 - 5 week diet that will probably consist of half (or less) of my daily iron requirements, will this be enough to give me iron deficiency anaemia?

joaquin replied: "take iron tablets if concerned. id advise to take them just to keep urself topped up with iron. i suffer anemia myself and it is horribleeeeee

so cover urself :)"


Jessie C replied: "I have anemia it stinks. You are cold all the time and feel weak and tired. So, you should take the tablet for iron You are at risk if you do that for 4 or 5 weeks, that is how long it took me to get it. And plus I don't understand why you would be going on a diet with little iron... it's just not healthy..."


What can you eat to get more iron in your diet? My brother has an iron deficiency and I was wondering what types of foods he can eat to get more iron. He is very picky and eats by texture! please help if you can!!

kaytee replied: "meat and green veggies"


Hosna E replied: "spinach..yuck!"


gina w replied: "red meat, liver, and leafy green vegetables like spinach and collard greens."


MICHAEL E replied: "i think breakfast cereals help"


Sgt. Spiv. replied: "broccoli"


Jay replied: "Raisins. There are also iron supplement tablets.

Red meat is high in iron, particularly liver."


Chuck U. Farley replied: "any dark greens like spinach, broccoli etc.
Also red meat and red wine

Clams
Pork Liver
Oysters
Chicken Liver
Mussels
Beef Liver

Beef
Shrimp
Sardines
Turkey


Enriched breakfast cereals
Cooked beans and lentils
Pumpkin seeds
Blackstrap Molasses

Canned beans
Baked potato with skin
Enriched pasta
Canned asparagus"


alicia replied: "vegetables and fruits"


Melissa C replied: "raisins and other dried fruits have tons of iron in them."


wise owl replied: "Green veg, especially broccolli, spinach, spring greens etc
Red meat
Black pudding
Liver
Breakfast cereal has tiny pieces of iron added which dissolve in the stomach (to prove it, they can be fished out of the cereal with a magnet)"


Chrissy replied: "beets"


slinkies replied: "red meat, spinach ... you can also get iron suppliments ... talk to a doctor as well ... there could be an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed ...

as for textures ... spinach-srtichoke dip with pita points or corn chips? tacos? good quality sirloin stewed in a crock-pot for 6 hours on low with broth (add veggies later) ... does he like salads? google "recipe spinach" and "recipe beef" (don't use quotation marks) and you should get lots of ideas ..."


Molly C replied: "spinach is always a winner. You can buy frozen pellets which you can either defrost by hot water or just chuck them in food that you are cooking up eg. pasta sauces. You can also put them directly onto frozen pizzas , they defrost while the pizza is cooking and add interesting texture. You can but just plain spinach in salad type bags from supermarkets too. There are also spinach supplement tablets...
Hope it helps."


Matt replied: "Get him to take a multivitamin and let him eat what he wants. The vitamin should contain iron and that should be good enough."


I have an Iron deficiency? I have recently been prescribed Ferrous sulphate for an iron deficiency (anaemia) I was quite shocked when I was told that I had an iron deficiency as my diet is very varied, I eat very well/healthily so I was just wondering what are the other reasons for becoming anaemic? thank you :)

Empress replied: "Some people are just naturally low in iron. I would recommend you increase your intake of fish, dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and eat plenty of beans and pulses."


The Tough answer replied: "It's usually genetic. Meaning it runs in the family. Its very important to have iron in your system to make sure that hemoglobin and oxygen is getting to all the vital areas of the body. Just make sure you take your pills and keep eating healthy. A steady work out schedule 5 times a week for at least 30 minutes wouldnt hurt. That would help your cardiovascular system just in case the iron isnt enough."


jeff k replied: "Every ones body is different, you just need more iron than others! no problem now that it has been diagnosed, plus our body's do change from time to time so in a few years it may alter and set itself right but then need more of a different mineral, don't worry!"


amalinn replied: "If you are eating well an getting plenty of iron in your foods than it probably is a genetic thing; which all you can do then is just consume as much iron rich foods as you can handle."


b'stardoh replied: "You can easily pump up your iron by eating more of the foods which contain iron.

These foods below are rich in iron. UK.

Eggs - especially the yolk
Oily fish e.g. tuna, sardines, pilchards, cockles and mussels
Kidney, liver, heart
Lamb, game, beef
Black pudding, corned beef,
Oxo, Bovril .

Wholemeal bread and flour
Iron-fortified cereals - Bran, Branflakes, Weetabix
Beans and pulses e.g. lentils, chick peas, haricot, kidney, pinto, baked, butter, peas
Nuts - almonds, cashews, Brazils, walnuts
Dried fruit - apricots, figs, dates
Green vegetables - watercress, spinach
Rich fruit cake, gingerbread, ginger biscuits
Curry powder
Cocoa, chocolate, black treacle .

The basic rule conerning food/diet is. . .

MEAT 3 times per week
EGGS 3 times per week
FISH 3 times per week

That takes care of the protien deficiency problem. Add to the above a wide selection of veg esp beans [pulse] grains etc."


Bobby replied: "REASONS IN FEMALES

1. Lack of green vegetables, fruits like apples
2. Lack of not only IRON but VITAMIN C ,, vit c increases absorption of IRON in body
3. Too much tea drinking
4. ESPECIALLY IN FEMALES ,, if u are in puberty age then HEAVY BLEEDING or CONTINOUS BLEEDING during MENSTURAL MONTHLY CYCLES
5. Lack of FRUIT JUICES

DIET
1. APPLES FOR IRON
2. ORANGES and LEMONS FOR VIT C
3. GREEN VEGETABLES LIKE SPINACH FOR IRON
4. DON'T TAKE TEA RIGHT BEFORE OR AFTER FOOD , GIVE A GAP OF 2 HOURS
5. FRUIT JUICES WITH IRON, VIT C AND FOLIC ACID"


sister replied: "i would advise you to take lots of green leafy vegetables especially green leaves like spinach thrice in a week. you need to take carrot,papaya and apple it will earn more iron to you. other than this vegetables and fruits take dexorange syrup dailly in the morning and night after meals which will surely help you. and know one thing eating does not mean you gain all essentials eating healthy food matters."