Anemia Diet

Healthy Recipes and Nutrition, Nutrition, Special Diets
on October 23, 2011

While there are numerous different types of anemia, many (but not all) can be addressed through dietary modifications and/or supplements. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute explains, “Many types of anemia can be mild, short term, and easily treated. You can even prevent some types with a healthy diet. Other types can be treated with dietary supplements.” While your doctor may or may not prescribe iron pills or other medicines, simple dietary modifications may eliminate the need for them.

Food rich in iron. One of the most common dietary modifications to address anemia is to increase your dietary intake of iron. Iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin, which carries the oxygen molecules in the bloodstream. Iron deficiency is mostly a problem for young children, people with poorly balanced diets, those with decreased appetites (the elderly), individuals following “fad” diets, pregnant women, vegetarians and vegans. There are many dietary sources of iron, which include (but are not limited to): red meat (especially liver), seafood, dried fruits (raisins, prunes and apricots), nuts, green or leafy vegetables (spinach and broccoli), whole grains, blackstrap molasses and foods that have been intentionally fortified with iron. Consuming foods high in vitamin C (such as citrus fruits and juices) or taking vitamin C pills at the same time you consume foods high in iron (or your iron pills) may help to increase your uptake of iron.

Vitamin B12. Deficiency of vitamin B12 is a common dietary problem that can be due to inadequate intake of certain animal-based proteins like milk, cheese and eggs. While this can be compensated for with pills or shots given by your doctor, it is much easier to compensate by increasing your intake of those animal-based proteins by adding more eggs and reduced-fat dairy products into your diet.

Folic acid. As the body cannot store folate (folic acid), it requires a steady exogenous supply. Folate is normally found in abundance in red meats and green leafy vegetables. Certain medications and disease states (such as chronic alcoholism) can also interfere with folate absorption/metabolism. If you feel that your intake of red meats (especially liver and other organ meats) and green, leafy vegetables is adequate, discuss this with your doctor.