Anemia occurs when your body falls short of red blood cells. This primarily happens due to three main reasons: the body’s inability to produce enough red blood cells, damage caused to the cells, or excessive blood loss.
Although there are many types of anemia, the most commonly occurring one is iron deficiency anemia. Other than that, a deficiency of folate and vitamin B-12 can also lead to the condition.
Consequently, a diet rich in iron and vitamin B is generally prescribed to people suffering from anemia. In this article, we have put together a list of food items that can prove to be beneficial for people having anemia.
Diet plan for anemia
The best way to deal with anemia is by making certain dietary changes. The best diet includes food items that are a rich source of iron and other vitamins essential for the production of red blood cells.
Heme iron and non-heme iron are the types of iron that can be found in foods. The former is mainly found in poultry and meat items whereas the latter is found in plant-based foods. Although both types are important, heme iron can more easily be processed by the body.
According to a study, an anemia patient is required to consume 150-200 milligrams of iron every day.
Best foods for anemia
Leafy Greens – Leafy Greens are one of the best sources of non-heme iron. These include kale, spinach, dandelion greens, swiss chard, and collard greens.
Vitamin C also significantly aids in the absorption of iron by the body. Thus, consuming these greens along with foods rich in vitamin C, such as strawberries, oranges, and red peppers, help in improving iron absorption.
Meat and poultry – Food items such as red meat, poultry, seafood, lamb, chicken, and venison are excellent sources of heme iron. Consuming these with leafy greens can help in better iron absorption.
Liver – A lot of people do not prefer eating organ meats, but these meats are a great source of iron. For anemic patients, organ meats such as liver, heart, kidney, and beef tongue are highly beneficial.
Fortified foods – Many food items available in the market are fortified with iron and help in treating anemia. These include fortified pasta, fortified white rice, fortified ready-to-eat cereal, fortified orange juice, and fortified white bread.
Beans – Beans are a powerhouse of iron and a great source of nutrients for vegetarians. Some iron-rich items are soybeans, peas, chickpeas, kidney beans, black beans, and lima beans.
Nuts and seeds – Nuts and seeds are not only delicious, but they also add a wide variety of nutrients to your diet. Some nuts and seeds that are rich in iron are cashews, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, pistachios, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, and almonds.
Consuming one particular food item cannot help cure anemia. However, eating an overall healthy and well-balanced diet that comprises of the aforementioned foods can prove to be significantly beneficial for anemia patients.