Ferritin Rich Foods
The body requires iron to function properly; specifically, it supports the blood in your body and forms the central part of hemoglobin. The foods in your diet supply all the iron that you need--at least that is the theory.
The body requires iron to function properly; specifically, it supports the blood in your body and forms the central part of hemoglobin. The foods in your diet supply all the iron that you need--at least that is the theory. When the digestive system processes your food, the iron is absorbed in the intestines and is stored in the cells of your body as ferritin until it is required. Unfortunately, an improper diet leaves the body deficient of enough iron and a person will become anemic. Eating iron-rich foods can prevent this.
Red Meat
One of the largest groups of foods that have high amounts of iron for your body is red meats. Red meats include beef, lamb, duck and goose. Virtually every meat contains some iron that the body can use, but red meat has more iron than other meats. Organ meats, which include livers, hearts and kidneys, tend to have more iron than muscular meat.
Iron Fortified Food
Fortified foods--those that have iron added during production--are one simple way to supplement your iron intake. Most breakfast cereals have iron added. Bread makers add iron to their products to increase your ability to take in more iron in your diet. Enriched flour that you purchase has iron added to it as well. Other grocery items that may have added iron include pasta and white rice.
Nuts and Dried Fruit
Selecting the proper sweets and snacks can actually be healthy. Snacking on nuts such as almonds and Brazil nuts will provide you with iron that will help your body and its immune system work better and more efficiently. These are easy to keep in your desk at work or in the car to snack on while you work or are out running errands.
Another snack food high in iron is dried fruit. Dried fruits contain high quantities of iron. Of the commercially available dried fruits, peaches are among the highest. Other good are raisins, prunes, figs and apricots.