Give me your top ways to raise iron levels (without supplement)

[NarniaBanarnia]

I KNOW there are iron supplements that are ‘gentle’ but I suffer chronic (slow transit) constipation for which I already take medication and so far I have never found an iron supplement that doesn’t make that problem worse

I really don’t like red meat. I will eat some if it’s the fastest/best way to get my iron levels up but I don’t like it.

Green veg, check!

Cocoa is good, right?

Dried fruit??

Any other suggestions?

I am just feeling tired these days and though I’ve not had bloods done I know from the past that I tend to have low iron. (And low Vit D, which I am supplementing!)

Would hugely appreciate any food suggestions! Have looked online but wondering if anyone has any off-the-beaten-track ideas.

Vitamin C aids absorption. I also read many years ago that pine nuts contain more iron per gram than steak.

I think there's something about spinach not being all it's cracked up to be.

I agree its not just what you are eating, but what you are eating it with. Vit C helps absorb iron (citrus, peppers etc are high in it), whereas tannins in tea, coffee and red wine deplete and can block absorption. There is also a difference with how your body can absorb heam and non-haem sources or iron.

Spirulina and seaweed is also high in iron. I often have a seaweed salad and used to take a powdered spirulina supplements. You can add the powder to a smoothie or use a tablet form.

Do you know what your levels are? Depending how low, you might be better to have iron injections to kick start recovery. It takes 3mths for red blood cells to replicate, so even having a good diet now, isnt a quick fix.

As a child of the 1950s - due to low iron I was made to eat raw lambs liver - I don't recommend it not envy.

Popeye ate spinach (he didn’t even need to use a tin opener), and Mr Strong ate eggs.

Oeufs Florentine! If only I had the energy to cook.

Spinach is not all that high in iron and apparently due to a decimal point being placed in the wrong place by a scientist! Soybeans, kidney beans and even molasses is higher. Its also harder for your body to absorb that haem sources.