No problem for me. I get plenty of iron from meat, fish, almonds, raisins, apricots, broccoli.
Here's some info on iron (
web source):
Iron is found in a variety of foods and supplements, but its availability to the body varies significantly. In general, iron is not easily absorbed by the body. Availability is partly determined by whether the iron is found in the form of HEME or NON-HEME iron. (Heme is iron derived from hemoglobin)
HEME iron is found only in meat, fish and poultry and is absorbed much more easily than NON-HEME iron, which is found primarily in fruits, vegetables, dried beans, nuts and grain products.
The following factors will
increase the iron absorption from non-heme foods:
* A good source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) - i.e., oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes, broccoli and strawberries, eaten with a NON-HEME food
* A HEME and NON-HEME food eaten together
* A NON-HEME food cooked in an iron pot, such as a cast iron skillet
The following factors will
decrease NON-HEME iron absorption:
* Large amounts of tea or coffee consumed with a meal (the polyphenols bind the iron).
* Excess consumption of high fiber foods or bran supplements (the phytates in such foods inhibit absorption).
* High intake of calcium - take your calcium supplement at a different time from your iron supplement.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iron for non-vegetarian pre-menopausal women is 18 mg/day. The RDA for non-vegetarian men and post-menopausal women is 8 mg/day.
