Iron Deficiency Anemia

Yael Akilov and Elio Mayorga

Queens College Dietetic Interns
January, 2017
Introduction
Iron-deficiency anemia is a common
nutrition problem for young children.
Can easily be prevented and corrected
Objectives
Name at least two ways to incorporate
iron rich foods into their childrens diet.
State the daily recommended intake of
iron for children.
List at least four foods which are high in
iron, two heme and two nonheme
foods.
Describe two benefits of iron for
childrens growth and development.
Why is Iron Important?
Iron is used to transport oxygen in the
blood
Supports growth and brain development
To have enough energy to learn and play.
Low levels of iron in blood are values below
11 mg/dL
Severely low values are below 7 mg/dL
Iron Intake Requirements
DRI for iron in children is

7 mg/day for children ages 1-3

10 mg/day for children ages 4-8.
Heme Iron vs Nonheme Iron
Heme Non- Heme
Animal products Plant products
Heme iron is better Sources include;
absorbed than beans, nuts, leafy
nonheme iron greens vegetables
Sources of heme iron Vitamin C rich
are lean meats and foods increases
seafood absorption
 Increase Iron Absorption
Include a source of vitamin C with your meals.
Vitamin C helps iron absorption.
Some sources of vitamin C include:

broccoli, tomatoes, oranges, orange juice, tomato juice,

and brussel sprouts
Decrease Iron Absorption
Tea and coffee contain compounds that can
decrease iron absorption.
Calcium which is found in dairy products such as
milk, yogurt, and cheese also block iron
absorption
Best to avoid these foods when eating iron-rich
foods in order to aid in absorption of iron.
 Heme Iron Sources
Excellent Sources Good Sources Sources
(3.5 mg or more) (2.1 to 3.4 mg) (0.7 to 2.0 mg)
-Beef, chicken or pork -Beef, lean -Corned beef
liver -Oysters -Canned sardines
-Clams -Scallops -Canned shrimp
-Mussels -Egg yolk
-Chicken and turkey
-Ham, lamb and pork
-Tuna and salmon
 Nonheme Iron Sources
Excellent Sources Good Sources Sources
(3.5 mg or more) (2.1 to 3.4 mg) (0.7 to 2.0 mg)

-Tofu, regular or firm - Spinach -Broccoli, chopped

-Soybeans, white beans, -Potato with skin -Green peas, kale, bok
lentils, cooked -Egg noodles choy
-Fortified whole grain -Pasta, enriched -Tomato sauce
cold cereals -Kidney, chick pea, -Almonds, cashews,
-Fortified hot cereals navy beans, and hazelnuts, pine nuts,
-Buckwheat lima beans peanuts, soy nuts
-Cornmeal
-Fortified cold -Nut butter
cereals -Prune juice
-Barley -Brown rice, cooked
-Bread, whole grain
-Dried figs, apricots, dates
-Raisins
-Edamame
-Split peas
Summary
Importance of iron for our children
How much iron our children need to be
healthy
Different sources of iron-rich foods to
try to incorporate in your childrens diet.
The consequences of IDA
Eat well & Exercise