Client Name ______________________________________ Date ________________
RDN/NDTR _____________________________________________________________
Email ____________________________________ Phone _______________________
Iron Deficiency Anemia Nutrition Therapy
Iron helps carry oxygen throughout your body. If you are not eating enough iron-rich foods in
your diet, you may feel tired and run-down.
How Much Iron Do You Need?
The amount of iron you need each day is measured in milligrams (mg). The general
recommendations for healthy people are:
Women (ages 19-50 years): 18 mg iron per day
Women (ages 19-50 years): 27 mg if pregnant; 9 mg if breastfeeding
Men (ages 19 years and older): 8 mg iron per day
Older women (ages 51 years and older): 8 mg iron per day
Tips
Tips for Adding Iron to Your Eating Plan
Iron from meat, fish, and poultry is better absorbed than iron from plants.
Include foods high in vitamin C such as citrus juice and fruits, melons, dark green leafy
vegetables, and potatoes with your meals. This may help your body absorb more iron.
Eat enriched or fortified grain products.
Limit coffee and tea at meal times so as not to decrease iron absorption.
Some cereals contain 18 mg iron per serving (such as Total, 100% bran flakes,
Grapenuts, and Product 19). Having ¾ cup of your preference will ensure your daily iron
intake.
Foods Recommended
Foods with at Least 2 mg Iron per Serving
Serving
Food Size
Beef, veal 3 ounces
Clams, oysters, shrimp, sardines 3 ounces
Bran flakes ¾ cup
Cream of wheat ½ cup
Oatmeal (fortified) ¾ cup
Baked potato, with skin 1
Dried beans, cooked (kidney, lentils, lima, navy) ½ cup
Soybeans ½ cup
Copyright © Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This handout may be duplicated for client education. 1
Iron Deficiency Anemia Nutrition Therapy.
Serving
Food Size
Tofu ½ cup
Spinach 1 cup
Dried prunes 4 pieces
Foods with 1 to 2 mg Iron per Serving
Food Serving Size
Poultry 3 ounces
Cooked kale 1 cup
Dried apricots 7 halves
Raisins 5 tablespoons
Whole wheat bread 1 slice
Nuts: cashews, brazil nuts, walnuts 1 ounce
Iron Deficiency Anemia Sample 1-Day Menu
1 serving citrus fruit
3/4 cup raisin bran cereal
Breakfast 1 egg
1 slice whole-wheat toast
1 tsp margarine
3 ounces tuna fish
2 slices whole-grain bread
1/2 cup carrots
Lunch
1 medium apple
1 tsp mayonnaise
1/2 cup low-fat or nonfat milk
1 cup nonfat yogurt
Afternoon Snack 1/2 cup grapes
1 pear
3 ounces chicken
1 medium baked potato, with skin
Evening Meal 1.5 cups mixed salad
1 tsp olive oil and vinegar dressing
1/2 cup low-fat or nonfat milk
Notes:
Copyright © Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This handout may be duplicated for client education. 2
Iron Deficiency Anemia Nutrition Therapy.
