Iron is a vital mineral that plays a major role in red blood cell production. This subsequently makes iron responsible for oxygen and nutrient transportation, since red blood cells carry oxygen and nutrients. The body does not produce iron naturally, meaning you have to get it from your food. If you don’t include the right foods in your diet, you can end up suffering from an iron deficiency. Iron deficiencies can lead to anemia, fatigue, and even certain respiratory issues. Below are some of the best foods to eat to include iron in your diet.
Shellfish
Shellfish is one of the best sources for iron on the market. While all shellfish contains pretty significant amounts of iron, but the best sources of iron are clams, mussels, and oysters. A simple 100 gram serving of clams has 28 mg of iron. This is 155% of the recommended daily iron intake.
Spinach
Spinach is a low calorie source of iron. A single 3.5 oz serving of spinach contains 3.6 mg of iron, which is 20% or the recommended daily intake. Spinach also contains a pretty decent amount of vitamin C which is important for regulating iron levels. Vitamin C is responsible for iron absorption; you can’t actually make use of the iron you consume if you don’t absorb it.
Liver and Other Organ Meats
Liver and onions are a bit of an acquired taste; so are chicken hearts and sheep kidneys. But it might be worth eating them, because liver and other animal organs are very powerful sources of iron. A 100 gram serving of beef liver has 6.5 mg of iron, which is 36% of the recommended daily intake. Next time you’re feeling light headed, you might need to think about a kidney pie.
