Iron Rich Foods for Every Body

Iron is Used by Every Living Cell in the Human Body Building musclesMaking blood

What Happens When People Do not get Enough Iron? They get anemia They feel tired and weak They get sick more often

Every Body Needs Iron

It can be Hard to Get Enough Iron Iron is found in many foods, but not in large quantities

Meats, Poultry, Fish and Beans Important Sources of Iron Liver and other organ meats are especially good sources of iron

Many Foods in the Grains Group are Fortified with Extra Iron Read package labels to see if a food is a good source of iron

Some Fruits and Vegetables are Good Sources of Iron  Watermelon  Spinach  Green peas  Lima beans  Raisins  Prunes

Foods in the Dairy Group are NOT Good Sources of Iron Parents who bottle feed their babies should use an iron-fortified formula

Eating Foods High in Vitamin C can help Your Body use the Iron in Your Food For example: Cereal with orange juiceTomatoes with dried beans

Best Sources of Vitamin C:  Citrus fruits  Melons  Papayas  Strawberries  Broccoli  Brussels sprouts  Sweet peppers  Tomatoes  Greens

Careful Meal Planning will Provide Each Member of the Family with the Iron They Need

Questions Adapted from NEP-15FG, Iron In Your Diet Jackie R. Walters, MBA, RD, LD University of Kentucky, Extension Associate for Nutrition Education Programs May 2006 Revised by: Jean Najor, MS August 2014 Graphic Design: Kevin Brumfield Photography: 123rf.com Copyright © 2015, for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.