Iron is an essential mineral your body needs in trace amounts, but that doesn’t make it unimportant. Iron performs a critical function in the human body. One of its jobs is to transport oxygen in the blood from your lungs to the cells and tissues in your body. If you’re deficient in iron, your cells get less oxygen. Therefore, you feel tired and, with more severe iron deficiency, short-of-breath or lightheaded.
That’s why getting enough dietary iron is important. The risk of iron deficiency is greatest in women before menopause because they lose blood through menstruation. After menopause, menstrual periods stop, along with iron loss, and the risk of iron deficiency goes down. Men are at low risk of iron deficiency unless they have a medical condition that reduces iron absorption, or they eat a diet that’s very low in iron.
Microscopic bleeding can also lead to a low iron level. That’s why doctors often recommend a colonoscopy for older men and women who are iron deficient. They want to rule out microscopic loss of blood from the colon.
Why Too Much Iron is Harmful
As important as iron is for health, there’s a sweet spot. Too much iron can be almost as harmful as too little. Your liver stores iron and your body can’t eliminate excess iron unless you bleed or donate blood. That’s why it’s important not to take an iron supplement unless you’re deficient in iron. When iron builds up, it has a prooxidant effect on the body, meaning it causes oxidative damage. So, you need enough iron but not too much.
If you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet, you may be at higher risk of iron deficiency since iron is abundant in meat and animal-based foods. But plants have iron too. The form of iron in plant-based foods is called non-heme iron while iron from animal-based sources is heme iron. Your body absorbs heme iron more efficiently than non-heme iron.
If you’re a young female, especially if you’re a vegan or vegetarian, it’s important to consume enough iron-rich food. Since you’re not eating animal-based foods, you may have a harder time getting enough dietary iron. But it’s possible to get sufficient iron from a plant-based diet. Here are some plant-based foods that are surprisingly high in iron.
Dark Chocolate
Who doesn’t enjoy a few squares of dark chocolate? You might be surprised to learn that dark chocolate is a good source of iron. In fact, a single ounce of dark chocolate supplies almost 20% of the day’s recommended intake of iron. Plus, chocolate contains other minerals, including magnesium, and antioxidants linked with heart health. As indulgent as chocolate sounds, it still supplies your body with minerals and antioxidants. Choose dark chocolate since milk chocolate contains less iron.
Sesame Seeds
Seeds are rich in minerals and sesame seeds are no exception. With 23% of the recommended daily intake in a single serving, sesame seeds are an excellent way to add more iron to your diet if you’re vegan or vegetarian. You can sprinkle sesame seeds on vegetables or add them to salads, stir-fries, soups, or smoothies. Bonus: Sesame seeds are also rich in calcium and magnesium, two minerals you need for healthy bones. Sesame seeds are traditionally roasted before being ground into a fine powder or paste. This gives them a rich, nutty flavor and aroma. However, you can also munch on raw sesame seeds, which have a milder flavor and texture.
Prune Juice
You might think of prune juice as a drink you sip when you’re constipated, but it’s also an excellent source of iron. Each time you drink a half-glass of prune juice, you get 17% of the day’s recommended daily intake of iron. But you get more than iron when you guzzle a glass of prune juice. Prunes are an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium. Don’t overdo it though. Prune juice is also high in natural sugar, so drink in moderation if you have diabetes or prediabetes.
Lentils
Lentils are another powerhouse food, thanks to their high nutrient density. This versatile legume is rich in plant-based protein, complex carbohydrates, and fiber, yet they’re easy on your blood sugar level. They’re also an excellent source of the B-vitamin folate. You also get a significant quantity of iron when you eat a bowl of lentils.
A full cup of lentils supplies 30% of the recommended daily intake of iron. Plus, lentils are versatile. If you’re looking for an iron-rich plant-based food, lentils are a great choice. You can eat them as a side dish, mix them into a salad, or make lentil soup.
Amaranth
Amaranth is a pseudo-cereal that’s often called an ancient grain. Not only does amaranth contain a wealth of nutrients, including magnesium, phosphorus, and B-vitamins, it’s an exceptional source of iron. A single bowl of cooked amaranth contains almost 30% of the recommended daily intake. Amaranth is also rich in plant-based protein, which is crucial if you’re looking to build lean muscle mass as well as avoid hunger pangs. Its nutty flavor is a natural for adding to soups and salads and for making hot cereal.
The Bottom Line
These are some surprisingly good sources of iron that you might not have considered. You can get iron without consuming animal-based foods, but you have to plan a little smarter. Adding these five foods to your diet will help you deliciously get your daily iron quote. Another tip: You can boost your iron intake by preparing foods in an iron pot. If you think you’re low in iron, ask your doctor to check an iron panel. They can do this with a simple blood test.
References:
- Self.com. “Candies, chocolate, dark, 70-85% cacao solids”
- Self.com. “Sesame Seeds”
- com. “Health Benefits of Prune Juice”
- “Iron – Health Professional Fact Sheet.” ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/.
- “Food prepared in iron cooking pots as an intervention for ….” pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12859709/.
- “Top Iron-Rich Foods List – WebMD.” .webmd.com/diet/iron-rich-foods.
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