Low iron diet is prescribed usually for the treatment of Hemochromatosis. In this article, you will find list of foods to consume in this diet plan.
Iron is one of the most important elements required by the human body. It is essential for preparation of hemoglobin in the blood. Therefore, just like other minerals, iron is required by the human body, but in adequate amounts. It should be noted that excess of minerals in the body can lead to side effects or disorders related to overdose. Secondly, if one suffers from a condition known as hemochromatosis, he will have to follow the low iron diet menu in order to avoid iron overdose in the body.
What is Low Iron Diet Plan?
Sometimes, due to some disease or disorder, some people cannot metabolize iron properly. This results in higher amounts of iron in their body. Secondly, these people tend to absorb more amount of iron than average people; but their body is incapable of excreting it out from the body. Excess iron in the body can be dangerous and leads to symptoms like joint pain, gastrointestinal disorders, fatigue, skin disorders, etc. Therefore, one of the treatment methods of hemochromatosis includes having a low iron diet plan. On the other hand, high iron foods are also to be avoided if the person suffers from gout. If you wish to bring down the iron levels from the body, you simply need to avoid high iron foods.
Low Iron Diet Foods List
Iron is found in moderate to high amounts in several fruits and vegetables. However, the highest amount of iron is found in meats. Red meats contain the highest amount of heme iron or the type of iron that is easily soluble in the body. Therefore, you need to avoid several vegetables and red meats completely in order to reduce your daily intake of iron. The following are lists of foods low in iron which should be consumed; and foods high in iron that are to be avoided in the diet menu.
Foods Low in Iron: to be Consumed
- Apple, blueberry, cranberry, grapefruit, honeydew melon, orange
- Turnip, radish, carrot, onion, peppers, spaghetti squash
- Milk, yogurt, cheese
- Condiments, oil, fats
- Brown rice, white rice, white pasta, couscous
- Fruit juices, coffee, tea, water
Foods High in Iron: to be Avoided
- Red meat, egg, pork roast
- Raw fish, shellfish
- All green leafy vegetables, legumes
- Whole grains, bread
- Alcohol
- All foods and products fortified with iron
All iron rich foods and foods fortified with iron are to be excluded from the diet if following the hemochromatosis diet. On the other hand, you should also reduce the intake of foods containing vitamin C as this vitamin aids iron absorption in the body. Therefore, if you are taking vitamin C supplements, you should stop it altogether in order to reduce the amount of iron getting absorbed in the body. On the contrary, having tea and coffee reduces the iron absorption in the body. However, this should not be taken in excess as it can lead to caffeine overdose. As one of the simplest tips, when buying foods, make sure that you check the packets and note that the foods are not fortified with iron and do not contain iron!
This diet should be followed only if the doctor advises you for the same. It is essential to check the iron levels in the body and diagnose hemochromatosis before following this diet. Lastly, you can check on the Internet to find some exciting recipes based on the diet. Take care!
