often-feeling-weak-dizzy-you-could-have-iron-deficiency-here-are-5-iron-rich-foods-to-boost-your-energy (2024)

WOMEN'S HEALTH


04.24.2018

Iron deficiency is a lot more common than you would think. A recentsurvey by SATA CommHealth(i) revealed that almost half of the Singaporean women could have an iron deficiency without them knowing! Women are more prone to suffer from iron deficiency especially if they experience heavy menstruation bleeding or during their pregnancy period. If not treated immediately, it will lead to iron deficiency. One of the most common symptoms of iron deficiency is exceptional lethargy. However, this symptom is also hard to distinguish because the feeling of exhaustion is no stranger to most of us, often a fixture in our busy schedules. Some other symptoms include paleness, dizziness and irregular palpitations.

Having a balanced diet that is iron-rich is essential to preventing iron deficiency. The Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) for men is 8 mg of iron daily, while women are expected to take 18 mg of iron daily. Pregnant women have a higher RDI of27 mg of iron(ii) every day as theirbodies absorb up to 17 mg of iron daily(iii). Here are five iron-rich foods that can help you meet your daily iron intake requirement.

Meat and Fish

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Red meat and fish are rich in iron and are the most recommended food for those with iron deficiency. A 100-gram serving of ground beef contains2.7 mg of iron(iv), 15% of the women's RDI. While some people are not big fans of organ meats, organ meats such as liver, kidneys and heart are highly nutritious. A 100-gram of beef liver contains 6.5 mg of iron, more than twice of what the same amount of red meat can provide. Add meat to your lunch and dinner. You can stir-fry it with some vegetables to add more variations.

Eggs

often-feeling-weak-dizzy-you-could-have-iron-deficiency-here-are-5-iron-rich-foods-to-boost-your-energy (2)

You can get 1 mg of iron from two large egg yolks -- not the richest in iron, but possibly the easiest to incorporate into your meals. Go creative when cooking eggs -- sunny-side up, scrambled, steamed, anything! If you are a fan of mayo, you can make a tub of egg mayo and keep it in the fridge so that you can have it with your toast or salad every day.

Pulses and Beans

Pulses(v) are edible seeds of plants, usually harvested as dry grains. Some examples are dry beans, dry peas, chickpeas, and lentils. For vegetarians, beans and pulses are excellent sources of iron -- a cup of cooked lentils contains 6.6 mg of iron. To maximise the iron absorption, consume them with foods that are rich in vitamin C such as tomatoes or citrus fruits. Swap your rice with lentils or chickpeas, or add them to your salad bowl.

Dried Fruits and Nuts

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Dried fruits and nuts are good sources of iron. Every 30 grams of cashew nuts, for instance, provides around 2 mg of iron. Other iron-rich foods are almonds, hazelnuts, dried apricots and raisins. Pick dried fruits or nuts as a healthier choice for your afternoon snacks. You can also sprinkle them over your cereal, salad, smoothie or oatmeal bowl.

Dark-green Leafy Vegetables

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It is very important to include vegetables with dark green leaves in your diet. Spinach is an excellent source of iron, both when cooked or eaten raw. 1 cup of cooked spinach contains more than 6 mg of iron. Besides opting for green leaf salad, you can stir fry vegetables or cook them with pasta.

Having a balanced iron-rich diet is essential to meet the nutritional requirements and to provide you with energy. However, we all know that balancing your diet is not an easy task, especially if you have a busy lifestyle. Supplement the gap in your iron requirement by taking multivitamins. Most multivitamins also contain vitamin C that helps your body absorb the iron you consume. This will bring you one step closer to meeting your iron RDI.

  1. Lai, L. (2015, November 26). Women 'not aware of iron deficiency'. Straits Times. Retrieved March 22, 2018, fromhttp://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/women-not-aware-of-iron-deficiency
  2. CommHealth, S. (2015, December). Facts On Iron Deficiency. Health Line, 10, 4.
  3. SATA CommHealth. (2015, December). Health Line. Retrieved March 22, 2018, from SATA Newsletter:https://www.sata.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/HealthLine-Dec-2015-FINAL.pdf
  4. http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/beef-products/6202/2
  5. https://pulses.org/what-are-pulses

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often-feeling-weak-dizzy-you-could-have-iron-deficiency-here-are-5-iron-rich-foods-to-boost-your-energy (2024)

FAQs

Often-feeling-weak-dizzy-you-could-have-iron-deficiency-here-are-5-iron-rich-foods-to-boost-your-energy? ›

Swap your rice with lentils or chickpeas, or add them to your salad bowl. Dried fruits and nuts are good sources of iron. Every 30 grams of cashew nuts, for instance, provides around 2 mg of iron. Other iron-rich foods are almonds, hazelnuts, dried apricots and raisins.

How do you get rid of iron-deficiency dizziness? ›

Iron supplements: Your healthcare provider may suggest that you take iron supplements. These are oral pills you take once a day to increase your iron levels. Most people need to take supplements for at least a few months, possibly longer if they have anemia. Orange juice: Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron.

What foods raise iron quickly? ›

Foods rich in iron include:
  • Red meat, pork and poultry.
  • Seafood.
  • Beans.
  • Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach.
  • Dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots.
  • Iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas.
  • Peas.

What are the iron-rich foods? ›

What foods contain iron?
  • meat — beef, lamb, pork, and kangaroo.
  • poultry — chicken, turkey, and eggs.
  • seafood — salmon, sardines and tuna.
  • organ meats — liver, kidney and pate.

How do you get energy with iron deficiency anemia? ›

Fatigue
  1. Diet: To keep your energy up, eat smaller meals and healthy snacks every three to four hours, rather than large meals less often.
  2. Reduce stress: The stress associated with not feeling well takes a lot of energy. ...
  3. Drink more water: Make sure to stay hydrated during the day.
Jan 9, 2024

What drink is high in iron? ›

Iron-rich drinks include apple juice, apricot nectar, beef broth, beet juice, cocoa using natural cocoa powder, “green” smoothies, orange juice, pea protein smoothies, prune juice, tomato juice, and spinach juice.

What to eat when feeling dizzy and weak? ›

What to eat with dizziness
  • Fatty fish, shellfish, liver, avocado, or egg yolk. ...
  • Nuts, legumes, and spinach; they're rich in magnesium, which supports your hearing health.
  • Fruits like lemons and blueberries, which are high in vitamin C.
  • Water to stay well-hydrated.
Nov 28, 2023

How can I get my iron up in 24 hours? ›

If you have iron-deficiency anemia, taking iron orally or getting iron administered intravenously along with vitamin C is often the fastest way to raise your iron levels.

What not to eat with anemia? ›

Dairy foods and foods rich in tannin (such as coffee, tea, and chocolate) should be limited as they can interfere with the absorption of iron. American Academy of Family Physicians. Anemia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Which fruit has the highest iron? ›

  • Strawberries.
  • Watermelon.
  • Raisins.
  • Dates.
  • Figs.
  • Prunes.
  • Prune juice.
  • Dried apricots.

What is the number 1 source of iron? ›

Heme iron comes from hemoglobin. It's found only in animal foods that originally contained hemoglobin, like red meats, fish, and poultry. This type is easiest for your body to absorb. Most nonheme iron is from plant sources or fortified foods like spinach, beans, and enriched grains and cereals.

Is peanut butter high in iron? ›

Peanut butter is rich in iron and can be used as a spread or served to children. Peanut butter contains 0.56 mg iron per tablespoon. White beans are good when it comes to iron, providing 8 mg per serving.

Are bananas high in iron? ›

Bananas may be high in fiber but are low in iron (about 0.4 mg/100 g of fresh weight). Bananas are a popular fruit around the world, and a staple food in many countries, especially those in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Bananas are botanically considered a berry and nutritious food, but they are not high in iron.

How to stop dizziness from anemia? ›

An iron deficiency can cause many symptoms, including dizziness, fatigue, and cold hands and feet. A doctor can usually diagnose an iron deficiency using a simple blood test. Treatment may involve taking prescription iron supplements for several months.

How to fix anemia quickly? ›

Iron supplements, also called iron pills or oral iron, help increase the iron in your body. This is the most common treatment for iron-deficiency anemia.

What drains iron from your body? ›

Iron is lost from the body through sweat, shedding intestinal cells, and blood loss. About one third of the world's population is iron deficient. Menstruating women are at greater risk than men and postmenopausal women of iron deficiency.

Should I take iron if I feel dizzy? ›

An iron deficiency can cause many symptoms, including dizziness, fatigue, and cold hands and feet. A doctor can usually diagnose an iron deficiency using a simple blood test. Treatment may involve taking prescription iron supplements for several months.

How do you know if dizziness is caused by anemia? ›

You may notice pale skin and cold hands and feet. Iron-deficiency anemia can also cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Occasionally, it can cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat and shortness of breath. Iron deficiency can cause you to have unusual cravings for non-food items such as ice, dirt or paper.

When is low iron an emergency? ›

Persistent fatigue, breathlessness, rapid heart rate, pale skin, or any other symptoms of anemia; seek emergency care for any trouble breathing or change in your heart beat.

How long does it take to balance iron-deficiency? ›

If you have iron deficiency anaemia , your doctor will prescribe iron supplements. It may take 6 months to one year for your body to restock its iron stores. Your iron levels will be regularly reviewed with blood tests.

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