As a Mama who has had my own personal struggles with iron, I did loads of research to make sure I was aware of the ways my kid needed and would absorb iron.
Iron is a common mineral required by the body for healthy growth and development.
I knew I wanted to be a mom who made most of my kids’ food at home to avoid extra additives, but it’s important to provide balanced meals with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. I found iron is one of the main beneficial additives that companies use because it is so important for children.
The foods I try first:
- Leafy greens- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Red meat
- Poultry
- Oats
Common allergens with good iron levels:
- Nuts- checking hazard so nut butter is a great way to add this to your littles diet
- Tofu- soy allergy
- Eggs
I highly recommend an 18 month blood draw for common vitamin deficiencies and nutrition blood tests. A blood draw is always terrifying and horrible to go through as a parent but it will alert you if you need to put your little one on a supplement. Littles grow so fast both physically and mentally, so they are burning iron at a very high rate. If your little does test low in iron, it’s ok. My husband and I had to put my oldest on a supplement even though I did all of these things. So, please make sure you get your little ones checked.
Keep an eye out on the creative ways I add iron rich foods to our daily meals!
References
- https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/diet-and-micronutrients/iron.html#:~:text=Iron%20is%20necessary%20to%20make,during%20infancy%20and%20early%20childhood.
- https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/foods-high-in-iron
- https://www.amazon.com/NovaFerrum-Pediatric-Supplement-Infants-Toddlers/dp/B00BTMKDUU/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=iron+supplements+for+kids&qid=1682965646&sprefix=iron+supp%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A39CY02RNJQJS9&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNkpFSk8zOVRaUDA5JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzQwOTYzRUlYQUdZU0xKRUwyJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0MjA5NDRBWVMzVEtMMTlXMCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
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