Low Iron - any suggestions?

Re: Low Iron - any suggestions?

• catherinekate member

  January 2016

  I'm a life-long anemic, so I hear you, it's hard.
  
  Ground beef is totally safe to eat in pregnancy--to be extra safe, just make sure it's cooked well done. I can PM you a great chili recipe I have -- pretty low in cals, but lots of iron in it. And it's winter, so extra delicious. Most people eat extra lean ground beef, but you'd be fine to eat lean ground beef IMHO. My iron levels got better when I switched. Must be something to do with the fat, but I'm not a nutritionist.
  
  Other than just eating more iron, you might try investing in a cast iron cooking pan. Sounds hokey, but I do find it works. I cook almost everything in it.
  
  You probably already know this, but there's heme (animal source) and non-heme iron (vegetable source). Vitamin C is really good at helping you absorb non-heme iron, so if you're eating beans or whatever, have some citrus or vegetables high in Vit C with it. I've heard that Vit C doesn't make a difference with heme iron, but it doesn't hurt to try. And of course, you want to stay away from coffee and tea immediately before eating iron-rich foods to maximize absorption.
  
  I like this blog for recipes: www.skinnytaste.com -- there are a ton of tasty, low cal and healthy ground beef recipes there. If you tinker with the recipe, you can also sneak more iron into the dishes (which I usually do). 
  
  On the bright side, your levels aren't that low and it seems like your midwife isn't that worried about it--that's great news! Just do what you can, when you can.

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• Rosehip15 member

  January 2016

  Are you actually anemic (meaning your hemoglobin and/or hematocrit are low)?  Or is your iron just running low?  Some of my patients need to take iron 2-3 times per day to keep their levels up.
  Also, dark meat chicken or turkey has a decent amount of iron.  I'm not sure what you're looking for in terms of healthy beef recipes, but perhaps just lean cuts of steak?  Skirt/hanger steak? 
  Some other suggestions - shellfish, sardines, beans.  I second the vitamin C & cast iron pan suggestions from @catherinekate
  

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• alysemci member

  January 2016

  Another life long low iron person, my eyes constantly look like I got punched in the face. I cook using all cast iron, it helps

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• Alanna999 member

  January 2016

  Thank you so much for your responses! I really appreciate your help.

  @catherinekate - I would love for you to send me your chili recipe Thank you for the link to the skinnytaste website - there are some great recipes there! And I appreciate the reassurance, I'm really hoping to make some changes to improve my iron levels. I'm just a little nervous about my levels dropping any lower as my pregnancy progresses.

  @rosehip - My midwife never mentioned anything about my hemoglobin and/or hematocrit. However, she did mention that my iron stores looked good.

  Thanks for all of your suggestions - I'll definitely be trying a cast iron cooking pan!

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• laurendiaz02 member

  January 2016

  My OB suggested red meat, spinach and dried apricots to boost iron levels.

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