Anemia Prevention During Your Period

IRON

Iron is an important mineral needed for many important function in the body. This includes the blood formation. Due to blood loses during menstruation, having adequate iron in your diet can help prevent anaemia ( low blood levels)

Good iron sources include:

Meat

Liver

Beans, such as red kidney beans and lentils.

Nuts

Dried fruit – such as dried apricots

Fortified breakfast cereals

Soy bean

Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, and kale. Also, turkey berries.

If you have heavy periods, you are at higher risk of iron deficiency anaemia and may need to take iron supplements.

Speak to your doctor or a registered dietitian for more advice.

FACTORS THAT CAN AFFECT IRON ABSORPTION.

Did you know that how you put your meals together can affect you iron absorption?

The addition of a good source of vitamin C to your plant-based foods can help in the iron absorption from these foods. The presence of meat, fish or other animal foods in your diet also enhances iron absorption.

So please the next time you go in for a delicious bowl of “gobɛ”, boiled beans, take an orange afterwards.

There are things in food that our body cannot use and that can prevent our body’s from absorbing some food nutrients. There are called anti-nutritive factors. An example is phytates in whole grains and tannins in tea. These can prevent your body from absorbing the iron in your food.

It is important not to take tea along with your food when you want to maximize your iron levels.