Fatigue occurs when there are not enough red blood cells to carry oxygen all over the body. The body responds by opening itself up to infections. Tiredness may also indicate anemia, especially, iron deficiency anemia! The symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include fatigue, frequent infections, brittle nails etc.
Do you know that iron has many functions in our body to help us stay healthy? It helps in the formation of hemoglobin, certain enzymes and proteins that help to maintain good health. It ensures proper oxygen supply, fight infections, protect us against free radicals and also promote liver health.
But, no alarms here! This is a highly preventable and reversible condition. Eating a diet rich in iron can correct mild anemia while iron supplements can rectify severe conditions. My main aim is to
give you a list of foods which are the best sources of iron. You can include these in your daily diet and alternate between them so that you don't get put off by the monotonous repetitions!
Green leafy vegetables with spinach at the top, peas, beetroot, broccoli and potatoes are great sources of iron for vegetarians.
Lentils, bean varieties including soy form the second in the list of legumes. A cup of red, kidney or pinto beans will give you iron as high as 5mg. You will be surprised to hear that half a cup of
semolina (suji) has 5.5mg of iron in it. Tofu (soy), pumpkin seeds and nuts are your next option.
Under fruits, dried peaches and apricots rule! You can enjoy raisins, prunes, strawberries, watermelons and so on. Wheat germ top among the cereals.
Non vegetarians can derive their iron from liver, beef, turkey meat, tuna, oysters and sardines. Chicken and eggs are on the lower side.
Make sure you include atleast a 2-3 iron rich foods in your daily diet. Let me given you an additional tip here. Vitamin C increases
iron absorption! more