Although there are different types of anemia, the most common one is usually due to lack of iron in the system. Individuals who suffer from this condition often feel fatigue, dizziness, headaches, always feeling cold, and difficulty breathing.
The condition occurs because there are lower levels of red blood cells coursing through the body. Since the red blood cells are responsible for transporting practically everything in the system, this obviously affects even the most basic process in the body.
Fortunately, anemia can be controlled through proper diet. If you have this condition, then it’s important to start eating food items high in iron and folic acid. Here are some foods for anemia you can try out!
Red Meat
One of the most powerful sources of protein, red meat includes chicken liver, leg of lamb, beef, turkey, and pork. Note that you should be eating the meat and not the fatty portion. Animal organs are usually best – but note that for pregnant women, some iron-rich foods are not ideal, such as liver. Try to eat around 3 ounces of any of these daily to meet your iron needs.
And of course opt for organic meats to avoid hormones and other nasty chemicals ending up in your body.
Fish and Shellfish
If you happen to love seafood, then you’re in luck as they’re also rich in iron! Anchovies, mussels, crab, oyster, and basically all types of fish are perfect for anemic people.
The beauty here is that even 3 ounces of sardines will be no problem – so you should still be able to treat your anemia with an easy-to-prepare serving. Note though that it’s best to mix up your sources of iron daily since you don’t want to miss out on other essential vitamins and minerals.
Green and Leafy Vegetables
Don’t forget the importance of vegetables, especially the green and leafy kind! This includes broccoli, watercress, cabbage, spinach, and kale. You should be able to get most of these in a nice salad, plus it only takes very little preparation on your part! Make sure to wash these carefully and if possible, growing your own would provide the healthiest servings. You’ll find that you can eat as many as you want of these food items without question.
Also read my previous article: Iron Deficiency: Easy Ways To Get More Iron On A Plant-Based Diet
Iron-Enriched Cereals and Oatmeal
If you don’t have time to prepare the food items given above, you can always rely on cereals and oatmeal. Look for products with an ‘iron enriched’ label so you can be sure that it serves the purpose you want. Note that it’s best to steer clear of sugary cereals – look for something basic and add generous amounts of milk, another product that’s perfect for anemia.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps with anemia indirectly by aiding the body’s absorption of iron. By taking ascorbic acid together with these iron-rich food items, you’ll be able to maximize the absorption rate and make the most out of your new diet. Best is to get vitamin C from natural sources such as lemons, strawberries, oranges, melons, tangerines, and other citrus fruits.
Food Preparation
A great technique to make every food serving anemic-friendly is the use of cast iron cooking. This adds bits of iron in whatever food you prepare – therefore allowing you to consume more amounts of the mineral.
Of course, those are just foods for anemia tips you should know about. Note that your choices depend on the cause of anemia: is it iron deficiency, folic acid deficiency, or B12 deficiency? The good news is that depending on the cause, anemia can be treated and even cured.
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Sources:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Anemia/hic-anemia-and-iron-rich-foods
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/diets-suitable-for-people-with-anaemia
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/basics/prevention/con-20019327
http://health.cvs.com/GetContent.aspx?token=f75979d3-9c7c-4b16-af56-3e122a3f19e3&chunkiid=14683
