Editor’s note: Today we have a guest post concerning iron rich foods. Since iron deficiency is an all too common problem in runners, especially in women runners, I am happy to be able to publish this excellent guest post about iron rich foods here on RunGadget.
Having an iron deficiency can make you feel simply awful since anemia is a condition that will sap your energy really quickly. Sometimes people don’t experience any symptoms at all but an iron deficiency can also manifest itself in other ways. It’s always best to get as full a diet as possible with a variety of sources from various nutritional groups. Sometimes in an effort to stay trim, people neglect important food categories and end up with problems like low iron. But with a varied diet and a solid routine of home-cooked meals thrown into the mix, you should be able to get back on track. To fix the problem, here are some suggestions for good foods high in iron.
Iron Enriched Cereals – one of the easiest ways to give yourself a bit of iron is with the first meal of the day. There are cereals enriched with all kinds of nutrients, and iron is certainly one of them. This is a great way to give yourself a boost in the morning, especially if you aren’t in the habit of eating breakfast. You can also find cereals loaded in fiber which will benefit your health as well.
Dried Fruits – all types of dried fruits are available for your snacking pleasure, and they can be a wonderful alternative to high sugar candy. They have a two-week texture and will make a welcome routine to your munching habit. Things like dried apricots, prunes, and raisins also contain a good amount of iron for your body.
Dark Leafy Greens – this can be a wonderful way to balance out your everyday meals since vegetables are inherently healthy for you. Elements like spinach or leafy greens can help to give you a boost of iron while providing you with other essential minerals and vitamins at the same time. They taste great with minimal need for further flavoring, although you can go all out and dress-up dish with exciting additions.
Organ meats – foods like kidney and liver are probably not mainstays of your regular diet but if you need a quick boost of iron then this is the way to go. Keep in mind that you might have to do some extra flavoring to make foods like this poor palatable, but if you happen to enjoy kidney and liver then by all means eat away!
Legumes – add a bit of variety in terms of taste and texture with the inclusion of legumes in your cooking routine. Even something as simple as tofu can revolutionize some of your favorite dishes. There’s nothing wrong with good old-fashioned ordinary beings either if you’re looking to make a home-cooked chili loaded with goodies.
Mollusks – seafood is a wonderful way to replenish iron levels while satisfying your taste buds as well. Certain foods like mussels and clams are actually really good source of iron, and not to mention they can be tasty treats from time to time. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different recipes that involve fresh ingredients to bring out the real flavor of seafood so that you can enjoy it more often.
Seeds and nuts – when it comes to foods high in iron and they don’t necessarily have to involve meat at all. You can make your own trail mix composed of dried fruits such as prunes and raisins and mix in some unsalted nuts as well. It can be a wonderful snack to help curb your hunger in addition to giving you a boost in iron with minimal fuss.
Red Meat – you can cut to the chase with one of the best iron rich foods that comes in the form of red meat. Of course you want to be careful about eating too many high cholesterol foods, but there’s no rule that says you have to avoid it completely. In fact, when you eat red meat with moderation in mind, it will always be a vital part of keeping you healthy. And when it comes to iron, it gives you a strong boost no matter how you choose to cook it.
This look at foods high in iron comes to us from our friends at rabbitsadvice.com where you can find more information on healthy living and proper weight loss.
