Iron is an essential mineral that plays a role in the formation of red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. Women need more iron than men do, because of monthly blood loss during menstruation.
In general, vegetarians and vegans have lower iron intakes than people who consume meat. This is because plant-based foods contain less readily absorbed iron than animal products do. However, there are plenty of plant foods that are rich in iron.
Vegetables low in iron. Vegetables are an excellent source of iron and are an important part of a healthy diet.
Vegetables rich in iron include:
Beans and lentils – Beans, including pinto beans and black beans, are rich sources of iron. Lentils are also an excellent source of iron.
Vegetables – Spinach, kale and other dark leafy greens contain iron as well as calcium. Other vegetables high in iron include sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, potatoes and winter squash (butternut).
Low-iron foods include:
Dried beans, peas, and lentils.
Cereal grains.
Vegetables.
Fruits.
Meats and eggs.
Dairy products.
Iron is found in all foods, but some foods contain more iron than others. The best sources of iron are red meat, poultry, fish, seafood and dark green vegetables such as spinach and kale. Iron from animal sources (heme) is more easily absorbed by the body than that from plants (non-heme).
Vegetables low in iron: Vegetables are low in iron because they contain compounds called oxalates that bind to minerals like calcium and iron to form insoluble salts (calcium oxalate). You can eat a wide variety of vegetables without risk of developing anemia if you consume enough vitamin C while you’re eating them because vitamin C helps your body absorb non-heme iron from plant sources like vegetables better than it does heme iron from animal sources like red meat or poultry. If you have celiac disease or another condition that prevents you from absorbing nutrients properly from food then consult with your health care provider before following this diet plan
The following foods are low in iron. Add these to your diet to help prevent iron deficiency anemia.
Vegetables
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage (raw)
Carrots (raw)
Cauliflower (raw)
Green beans (cooked)
There are many foods that are low in iron. This can be a problem for people who need to eat more iron, but it’s not really a problem for most people.
The best way to get enough iron is to eat a variety of foods from all the food groups, including meat, poultry, fish and shellfish; eggs; milk and milk products; and other foods such as dried beans and peas, tofu, nuts and seeds.
In fact, it’s not necessary to eat any one specific food — such as an iron-fortified cereal — to get enough iron.
Some people may need extra iron because they’re losing too much blood due to heavy menstrual periods or gastrointestinal bleeding. The following table lists some low-iron foods:
Vegetables low in iron
Vegetables are a good source of iron, but they contain so many different vitamins and minerals that it’s hard to know how much iron they provide. It’s best to eat a variety of vegetables so you get all the nutrients you need.
Animal products are the best sources of iron. However, plant foods can also contribute to your daily intake. These include:
Legumes (beans, lentils and peas). Legumes contain less than 5 milligrams (mg) of iron per serving and can be cooked with other vegetables or served as side dishes on their own.
Leafy greens (kale, spinach and collard greens). Leafy greens are rich in vitamin C, which helps your body absorb more iron from the foods you eat. A cup of cooked kale contains 3 mg of iron; 1/2 cup of cooked spinach contains 2 mg; and 1/2 cup of cooked collard greens contains 2 mg.
Iron is an essential mineral that helps the body make red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body, including your brain and muscles. If you don’t get enough iron, you may feel tired, weak and irritable. This condition is called iron deficiency anemia.
If you have hemochromatosis, a condition where your body absorbs too much iron from food, you can have too much iron stored in your tissues. This can damage your liver and heart and cause organ failure.
Foods without iron or calcium
These foods contain no iron nor calcium: agar, allspice, almonds, apricots, applesauce, arrowroot flour, arrowroot starch, asparagus, avocado, beans (cooked), beets (cooked), blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, broccoli (cooked), brussels sprouts (cooked), butternut squash (cooked), cabbage (cooked), cantaloupe melon, carrots (cooked), cauliflower (cooked), cherries, chickpeas (roasted), chicken breast (boneless skinless), chicory greens(raw) coconut milk(unsweetened) cornmeal(degerminated)(yellow).
The foods listed below are low in iron. The lower the number, the less iron it has.
Foods low in iron:
Dairy and Eggs:
Low-fat milk (1 cup) 0%
Egg whites (3) 0%
Egg substitute (1/4 cup) 0%
Cereal:
Special K cereal (1 cup) 0%
Rice Krispies cereal (1 cup) 0%
Corn Flakes cereal (1 cup) 0%
Oatmeal (1/2 cup cooked) 1%
Bread/Grains:
Rice bread (2 slices) 1%**
Wheat bread (2 slices) 1%**
Popcorn kernels, air popped 4 cups 0%**
Iron is an essential mineral that plays an important role in several functions in the body, including red blood cell production. However, too much iron can be dangerous to your health. If you have hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron, it’s important to limit your intake of foods high in this mineral.
High-iron foods include:
Meat — beef, chicken and pork
Fish — tuna and salmon
Dairy products — milk and cheese
Eggs
Vegetables — spinach and asparagus
Beans — black beans and kidney beans
Iron is an essential mineral needed for the formation of red blood cells and other vital components of the body. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in the world, especially among women and children.
Iron deficiency can cause symptoms such as fatigue, lightheadedness, shortness of breath and pale skin. The most common cause of iron deficiency anemia is low dietary intake.
There are several foods low in iron that you can eat to increase your intake without taking supplements or eating meat.
Here are some foods that are high in iron:
Lean red meat (beef, pork and lamb)
Fish (halibut, tuna, salmon)
Dried beans and lentils
Dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, collard greens).