Iron rich food suggestions for picky eater

[craziedaisy]

My dd is 3 years old and quite picky about certain foods that are all good sources of iron. She doesn't like any breakfast cereal (we tried all varieties - even ones with chocolate) or red meat. I am worried that she could be low in iron. Any suggestions on things I get her to eat that would boost her iron please.

[CreatureRetorts]

Meat is fine - doesn't have to be red.

What form do you give meat? My ds is quite fussy but likes meatballs in tomato sauce (I use a blender to whizz up the chopped tomatoes and simmer for about an hour to make a nice tomato sauce). Also chicken in tomato sauce - chicken breasts chopped into small cubes (size of peas) and he'll eat it. Moist roasted chicken - the thigh/drumstick meat is best for iron.
Baked beans have iron? Will she eat those?

[CreatureRetorts]

Hummus is another option - mine like hummus and lightly toasted pitta strips to dip it in.

[craziedaisy]

Thanks creature. Yes she likes chicken and will eat baked beans if it has melted cheese on top! Didn't know that these had much iron in so will try offering a few times a week. I like the meatball suggestion. She hates mince usually but will give it go.

[defineme]

Dried apricots?
Green veg-I find things like frozen spinach or blended broccolli can be hidden in pasta sauce/soup/stew if they're fussy or they all seem to like tempura veg.
Eggs?Something like eggy bread?
Baked beans?
Nuts like almonds or pumpkin seeds-add a touch of low salt and soy sauce and they're lovely. Or health food shops sell nut and seed butters that are nice as dips/spreads.
If she can combine any odf the above with a drink of orange juice or similar then the vitamin c will help absorb the iron.
I did know a mum that was quite desperate and used ready made follow on formula in milk shakes and stuff.

[Janek]

I think oats are quite high in iron. We have porridge for breakfast and that's what i tell myself!

[Drladybird]

As defineme suggests, there are lots of non-meat sources of iron too. I did a bit of research on iron to make sure my daughter (26 months and vegetarian) was getting enough. I posted it here- you might find it helpful.

We eat a lot of pulses or lentils so my daughter gets iron there. Other suggestions include dried fruit, including apricots and dates, nuts (nut butters are normally great spread on bread), tofu (brilliant in puddings such as this simple strawberry mousse), oats and quinoa.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Some great suggestions on here already, just though you might like [http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/behaviour_development/1786187-2-8-yr-old-fussy-eater this thread]] too

Don't forget that vitamin C helps iron absorption so if she likes beans and cheese on toast, give her fruit for pudding

If you really are worried that she is deficient in iron, she really needs a blood test though.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Sorry here

[LoveSewingBee]

Lentil stews. All lentils are rich in iron, although red lentils don't have as much iron as other lentil types.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

crazie how are things now?

[ppeatfruit]

Failing the above you can get good vitamin supplements that include iron esp. for DCs which you could put in smoothies etc.

[WilsonFrickett]

Taking vitamin C at the same time really helps with iron absorption too, so a glass of fresh orange with food will help her get the most out of her food.