Liver and Onions. I've unfortunately eaten it twice in the past week. Once, made by my mom, and once made by Matt's grandma when she was down here visiting.
Let me tell you...it's disgusting, but I'm forcing myself to get it down. Currently, I have super low hemoglobin levels. As in, they are in the critical range. My hemoglobin levels are 6. Most people's are at least 15. If they drop below 7, most doctors want to do a transfusion. My doctor wanted to give me a blood transfusion...but I refused. Who wants a stranger's blood surging through your veins? Not me. Not to mention all of the diseases I could get, it just didn't sound like a very fun process. I figured since I was just one point below critical stage, that I could take care of this on my own. So....I am taking prescription iron supplements three times a day, and eating foods high in iron. Oh, and I've cooked a few things in an iron skillet. Apparently cooking in an iron skillet helps some of the iron go into your food? Who knew?? I didn't know until Wheel of Fortune was on in the background 2 days ago and they were talking about it! lol.
This is proving to be difficult! I don't know what is high in iron besides spinach. I've been eating a lot of spinach salads, which are pretty delish. But, what else has high iron? I need some other options here. I know red meats do too...maybe I'll eat a steak tonight. Anybody know what else is high in iron? I need suggestions!! I have 6 weeks to get it out of critical range...so here is to hoping I'm successful!
Jen
I just googled it and looks like broccli & bok choy are high in iron & also in vit c which increases the absorption of iron. lentils & soybeans, dried dates, watermelon & raisins.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.momswhothink.com/diet-and-nutrition/foods-high-in-iron.html
eww, i agree. blood transfusion..not idea. that's pretty nappy. BUT i guess if it were to save my life, i'd probably think about it :)
Iron can be obtained from many foods in your diet, but you only absorb about 1 mg of iron for every 10 to 20 mg of iron in food, so you need to eat a balanced diet of iron-rich foods. Some foods can actually block the absorption of iron and should be avoided in combination with iron-rich foods. These include coffee, tea, milk, and soy protein. Other foods help your body absorb iron. "Adding vitamin C in the form of orange juice, tomatoes, or berries can increase your absorption of iron-rich foods," Brennan says. According to the American Dietetic Association, cooking foods in a cast iron skillet can also boost the iron in your food.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition-pictures/boosting-foods-with-iron.aspx?xid=g_&s_kwcid=TC|6122|foods%20high%20in%20iron||S||6173269512&gclid=CIT4o_rXvKQCFYVk7AodDn3nyw
I just saw this and thought it could be helpful, especially the part about foods that block absorption like milk! crazy!
Red meat, egg yolks, and liver are good sources of iron, but are also high in cholesterol and saturated fat; their intake should be limited to promote heart heath," advises Brennan. Animal sources of iron are, however, the easiest for your body to absorb. In addition to red meat, they include seafood, shellfish, and chicken or turkey giblets. Topping the list of iron-rich animal foods are oysters, with more than 10 mg of iron per 3-ounce serving, and beef liver, with about 7 mg of iron in a 3-ounce serving.
ReplyDeletePlant sources of iron-rich food include dark green, leafy vegetables, dried fruit, iron-enriched cereals, beans, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans, and artichokes. Lima beans are especially good, as are spinach and broccoli. Blackstrap molasses is another iron-rich food option. Here are some top iron-rich plant foods: Prune juice has about 5.2 mg of iron in one-half cup; walnuts, 3.75 mg per one-half cup; chickpeas, 3 mg per one-half cup; and raisins, 2.55 mg of iron per one-half cup.
also on the website from above.
My friend Nikki said be careful because you could easily get constipated. Ask your doc about that...because that is not fun.
i assume your doc is giving you advice...correct? besides the prescription iron supplements three times a day, did your doc tell you specific foods to avoid or thrive on? i'm going to call my mom (the smartest woman i know, and with her being a med. tech. and working with blood and hemoglobin every day) she might have some great advice. will let you know as soon as she wakes up (shes been forced to work nights at regional hospital)
ReplyDeleteJen, when did this begin? Is this a common thing for new moms to go through? Are you feeling fatigued or having noticeable negative side effects?
ReplyDeleteps. Grayson in his hat is probably the cutest thing.