ADDING IRON TO YOUR DIET 
             
             
            WHO NEEDS IRON? 
             
           You need iron for healthy blood and muscles. Iron is a mineral your body uses to build 
           healthy red blood cells. Iron works to help body cells use the energy we get from food.  
           If blood does not have enough iron, you may be anemic and feel fatigued. 
               •  You may need extra iron during the treatment process. 
               •  Infants, young children and teenagers need extra iron because their bodies are 
                  growing. 
               •  Vegetarians are more likely to be lacking in iron. Iron from the plants is not 
                  absorbed as well as is meat, poultry and seafood. 
                
            HOW CAN YOU GET THE MOST IRON FROM YOUR FOOD? 
             
            When you eat foods with iron, not all the iron you eat is absorbed by your body.  The 
            following tips will help you: 
             
               •  Eat foods high in Vitamin C   
                     Oranges and orange juice                Turnips and tomatoes 
                      Leafy green vegetables                Bell peppers 
                     Some berries                           Cauliflower 
                     Potatoes                                Broccoli 
                                                          
                                                       
               •  Cooking in cast iron skillets and pans may add small amounts of iron to your 
                  food. 
               •  Eat high iron plant foods with high-iron meats to increase absorption. 
               •  Your body absorbs iron most easily from animal products. 
               •   Today many foods are made with iron-enriched flour, including baked goods, 
             pasta, and cereals. 
               •  If you drink tea, drink it at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after your high-iron 
                  meal. Iron absorption is decreased when coffee or black tea is consumed with 
                  the meal. They contain substances that bind iron so it cannot be used by the 
                  body. 
                
                                   WHICH FOODS CONTAIN IRON? 
              
                       BEST FOODS  GOOD FOODS 
                                                               
           Liver                   Leeks                         Dandelion Greens         Eggs 
           Lean Beef               Chicken or Turkey Giblet      Beet Greens              Sardines 
           Lean Ham                Beef or Calf Heart            Kale                     Enriched 
           Lean Fresh Pork         Clams                         Spinach                  Breads/Cereals 
           Fortified Cereals       Oysters                       Mustard Greens           Whole Grain Products 
                                                                 Swiss Chard              Red Salmon 
                                                                                          Smelt 
              
                                                  FAIR FOODS 
                                                                           
                           Collard Greens            Peaches                  Dark Green Lettuce 
                           Peanut Butter             Asparagus                Most Nuts 
                           Escarole                  Molasses                 Green Peas 
                           Sweet Potato              Brussels Sprouts         White Potato 
                           Raisins and Dates         Green Beans              Apricots 
                           Broccoli                  Blueberries              Wheat Germ 
                           Raspberries               Prunes 
              
             •   Do not take iron supplements unless advised by your health care professional 
             because too much iron in the form of a supplement may be harmful to your body. 
             •   If you do take iron supplements, take them with a vitamin C rich food and separate 
             them from your calcium supplement or multivitamin by 2 hours. 
             •  Talk with your dietitian for further information. 
              
             Dana-Farber Cancer Institute        © 2006 
             Patient Family Education Council