25/06/2022
Ladies! Top up your iron! (Not that one…)
I do hope your irons are filled with water and limescale free, however, what I’m more concerned about is a common deficiency, especially for us ladies, which is lack of iron. Did you know that women need more than double the recommended daily intake (RDI) of iron compared to men? Pregnant women and those breastfeeding need over three times that amount!
🧐What is iron and why do we need it?
Iron is a mineral found in the food we eat, meaning the body cannot create it, however it can be stored in the liver, bone marrow and muscle tissue.
Iron is a key nutrient in red blood cells, which is important because these are the cells that carry oxygen around the body. Without iron, there is a lack of red blood cells which can lead to fatigue. An extreme version of this is known as iron-deficient anaemia, where you might experience extreme fatigue and breathless. This is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide!
🤷Why might I be deficient?
As I mentioned, we cannot produce iron within our bodies, so we must get this from external sources. With the rise in popularity of plant-based diets, animal sources of iron (known as heme iron) may be less frequent in the diet. Animal sources are particularly rich in iron and easily absorbed, such as red meat, chicken, fish, eggs and offal. Seafood lovers rejoice! Foods such as oysters, clams, mussels, sardines and canned tuna are high in iron.
🥬What foods can I get iron from?
Non-animal sources of iron (non-heme iron) will help you to reach your recommended daily intake of iron. These food sources include beans, lentils, dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, spring greens), nuts, seeds, dried fruits, dark chocolate and fortified breakfast cereals.
Non-animal sources of iron is better absorbed when eaten with foods high in vitamin C, such as: citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. For example, having a healthy salad or bowl of fortified cereal with a citrus fruit for dessert or glass of orange juice.
☕️Plant substances like tannins can inhibit the absorption of non-heme iron. These are found in tea, coffee, chocolate, and wine. Therefore it is recommended to avoid this foods around mealtimes to give your iron-rich meals the best chance of being absorbed!
How much do you need?
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults 19-50 years is 8 mg daily for men, 18 mg for women, 27 mg for pregnancy, and an extra 9 mg for breastfeeding mothers.
📲Check out my Instagram for recipes and tips for iron-rich recipes!