Talk to me about iron rich foods.

[SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore]

Dd1 has been diagnosed as 'borderline' anemic. The doctor thinks this is because she doesn't eat enough, not because her body has problems processing iron.

We are being reffered to a peadatric nutritionist, but in the meantime she needs to eat foods high in iron.

I know chicken, red meat, leafy greens etc. Is theer anything else? Any good recipes that would be appealing to a five year old who doesn't eat?

Red meat, lentils, spinach.

Dried apricots and ...dark chocolate

To absorb iron better (especially from lentils and spinach) it should be with vitamin C. So plenty of lemon on it or glass of orange juice

There is a supplement called spatone that can be given over the age of 2, just mix with juice and you can't taste it. I'm sure you would rather she ate better but if you are worried you could always top her up with it.

I dont think chicken is rich in iron

Hmm dark chocolate? I didn't know that.

I could make a cake with her. She doesn't like dried apricots, but will eat them in home made fruity flapjacks.

Thanks alicerail. I'll look into that.

liver and onions in gravy with mashed potato!
Delicious. Fed to me as a child and I love it.

As for food ideas i would make lentils burgers or bean burgers with plenty salad, spinach rissoto, pasta with spinach, casserole/curry with beants, pot and spinach...

Snack on dried apricots

dried apricots is an excellent source.
green veg, broco etc. spinach is not actually that good a source.
romaine lettuce
wholegrain breakfast cereals with added iron

She likes broccolli. I'll start cooking it more often.

Bean burgers sound interesting. She likes burgers. I'll try her with those.

GINGERBREAD! The black treacle you use in it is loaded with iron. Do you want me to post a recipe? It's gorgeous and my v fussy DS loves it.

chicken has no iron content to speak of.

You must ensure that she does not drink milk with any meals that are rich in iron, as milk prevents the iron from being absorbed by the body. This goes for youghurts also. Vitamin C aids the body's iron absorbtion, so it might be a good idea to let her have juice with some c vitamin content with her meals rather than milk.

Red Currants, Black currants are good sources of iron. I used to give fresh berries as pudding when my son had iron deficient aenemia, just sweetend with a sprinkling of sugar as the red currants could be a bit sour. They contain both iron and vitamin c.

Eggs are another good source, so I would frequently let him have scrambled eggs, made from 2 eggs and another egg yolk. It is the yellow that contains iron, the white has no iron, together with baked beans, which are also high in iron. I would give egg in one form or the other with every evening meal. If she is a fussy eater, little and often.

Substitute white bread for wholemeal. Sandwiches with ham, salami, etc.

Dinners such as lamb chops, lamb kebabs, spaghettig with minced beef and tomato sauce. Veg such as broccoli, spinach, etc.

I didnt eat a lot as a child and was anemic due to it. My mum use to force me to drink a tonic called flouradix, or something like that, it tasted disgusting but it is full of iron, vitamins and minerals and is very good. Most chemists sell it. I am not sure at what age you can have it though, how old is your dd? Beetroot is also supposed to be full of iron. Also as already mentioned vitamin c helps you absorb iron

Oh yes gingerbread sounds good mmmmmmm. I'll eat it even if she doesn't.

I didn't know that QS. Chicken is the only meat she will eat.

She likes eggs and berries. Hmm, I wonder if I could make her some sort of blackforset gataux with dark chocolate and berries?

She won't eat lamb chops. Maybe lamb kebabs or lamb burgers? Mince she likes. With dumplings and broccoli.

She eats fish. Does fish have iron?

dd1 is five. She would eat beetroot because it's purple. She is liking purple atm.

Fish has very little iron. But is good for omega 3.

I sense you have a sweet tooth, hopefully your dd is exercising enough to not end up lardy AND aenemic. Being aenemic saps your energy, and make you really tired, and it is a downhill spiral, as aenemia also reduces your apetite...

How about letting her try berries and and fruits without baking it into a a calorie bomb? Besides, the cream will ruin all the benefits of the fruit and berries. If you absolutely MUST go down the sweet route, try let her have berries with some sorbet. Flapjacks with oats and nuts and raisins are another option, then.

Not so much fish in iron but it's still very good for her.

Pumpkin seeds, apricots, dates and figs (you can hide these in biscuits)

Green leafy veg like Kale and cabbage. I'm the only one who doesn't go 'eugh' at dark greens. It's like fighting a losing battle here!

Chicken goes quite nicely with apricot. You can mix them chopped or pureed with mango chutney and bung it in oven. (Annabel Karmel recipe inspired idea)

...iron in fish.

Probably no fish in iron at all

dd1 has a sweet tooth. I don't. Savoury foods are my downfall. I'd much rather have quiche than cake.

dd1 exercises a lot. She dances for four hours a week, walks to and from school each day and is starting Cheerleading on saturday.

She needs the calories QS. She is underweight. And rarely eats a meal.

I see the point about the cream though. I hadn't thought about that. She will eat berries on their own. Her desserts are normally fruit. She just needs more calories than that atm.

I cant find what age you can take it but here:
www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=513&afid=70&safid=ggl&scid=13435&cm_mmc=Googl e--Product--Floradix%20Liquid%20Iron%20Formula-_-floradix%20liquid%20iron

You have to then make sure that every calorie count. And you have to think carefully not to combine your well planned Iron Meals with milky things.

It is fine to eat, for example a full fat milk youghurt, but not at the same time as Redcurrants, and not as a pudding after a main meal containing iron. She will need her calcium, and dairy, but you have to space it out carefully. A youghurt as a stand alone snack is good.

Can you for example let her take an orange juice, a box of raisins and a cereal bar as a snack after dance?

Message withdrawn

have a look at this

It gives how much iron is needed by age and sex, also how much iron is in food stuffs

Home made humous and carrot sticks and tofu sausages may be good ways to get iron.

Try Minadex tonic, plenty of iron and i think you can give from 2 years.
My Ds has an iron absorption problem as well, but plenty of energy and stick thin.
I have cut out all milk.
Just lots of boileds eggs, baked beans, meatballs, spag bol, lots of fruit and veg. But he won't eat 'flat' meat, kids are wierd, so mince is our best friend.

Lol Christiana, we used to do Meat Lolly with a flavourful couscous!

Also (dont flame me) next time at the chemist, have a look for a multivitamin with Iron. Not all multivitamins have iron, but some do.

I am currently trying to get my iron levels up due to pregnancy and have been told one of the best things to eat is baby rusks.