I'm a vegetarian...?

Question

I'm a vegetarian, and have been for about 2 years. I recently found out from a blood test that I have extremely low iron levels. A girl my age should have an iron level of 100, and mine was 13. I am currently taking iron medication, but my level isn't rising quick enough. Do you know any natural ways to help me?

I'm always going to be a vegetarian, nothing is EVER going to make me eat meat. And low iron levels IS a result of vegetarianism, not just bad eating habits, because red meat is one of the most iron-rich foods out there. And please, no one be mean.

Answer 1

You need more iron rich foods. Leafy green vegetables, like spinach, are one source. Tofu, eggs, and dark beans work too. I've been a vegetarian for 18 years. It's all about getting enough protein!

Answer 2

Some great anwers. I am always amazesd by the stupidty of some people. The lady says she won't eat meat and the first answer is 'eat meat'.
I don't eat red meat either though I can't consider myself a vegetarian. My blood is usually low in iron too so I eat some poultry and lots of tuna, specially during the week I donate blood. I want to donate some healthy blood. ha ha
Check out the list of iron rich foods. There have been vegetarians around long enough to learn how to eat the best diet available. My best.

Answer 3

this is the question you need to ask your medical doctor when he checks you out. someone is prescibing that iron medication.
There are different levels of vegetarians. I know you need to eat a lot of spinach that has natural iron. For a while maybe you should consume some of the vitamin fortified iron baby cereal. your on dangerous levels. You obviously need a more balanced diet. More beans and legumes. A true vegetarian has to forget the empty white bread calories and eat properly or their red meat eating friend will out live them. Hopefuly this isn't a french fry...eek I can't eat the burger type diet your on...but I think we both know if you were doing salads with beans and some vegetarians eat boiled eggs. You didn't give us enough details but there are excellent web sites. Start reading tons.

Answer 4

Not all vegetarians become iron deficient. In fact, a vegetarian smart diet is healthy. It is important that you understand that being a vegetarian isn't just giving up meat. It means you make a committment to evaluate everything you eat. You have to be smarter than the average eater. Since you didn't indicate your level of vegetarianism (lacto-lacto/ovo-vegan), I assume you are a true vegan. There are two forms of iron in foods. The iron in a vegetarian diet isn't as easily absorbed as the iron found in flesh foods. Vitamin C can make these proteins more readily available for absorption. Great sources of iron include dark green leafy vegetables,peas, whole grains, enriched cereals, and legumes. Another old fashioned trick to increase your iron content in foods is to cook in a cast iron skillet. Good luck.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, you are lacking protein which provides iron. I'm surprised you have enough energy to type in your question on here.
Try eating beans. Beans are suppose to be rich in protein/iron.
Red kidney beans
Lima beans, etc. etc. At least if you are going to be vegetarian, you should be aware of the risk and aware of how to properly make sure you are getting the nutrients you need for your body. Without the proper amount of iron, this can be fatal.

Answer 6

I'm vegan so I have the same problem most of the time. Do you drink milk? If you don't, drink soy milk with fortified vitamins. Also, drink a lot of fresh carrot juice- or not fresh, just don't get the kind with artifical flavoring. If you don't like carrots, drink a lot of freshly-squezed orange juice or orange juice without any artifical flavoring. Eat a lot of oranges, brocli, and other green fruits/vegetables- they all help a LOT (anything green has a lot of iron). Tofu can help, too. Also eat a lot of raisins, squash, lentils, pumpkin seeds and the blackstrap molasses. I know it's hard to get everything in your diet but just keep on doing it- it's a lot better for your health and the animals. I hope your iron goes up. Good luck!

Answer 7

Prune's or prune juice !! Liver, is very high in iron.. Liver & onions are so Yummo!! Go to a health food store and ask them whats the highest food source, of iron..There's even a drink thats just iron, you can probably get at the health food stores.. But, too much, iron, will cause, constipation, so make sure to eat lots of banana's and well your vegeez, should take care of that problem. Good-Luck!!

Answer 8

Eat dark green vegitables uncooked. Stay away from refined sugar and starchy vegitables. Do not consume anything with caffine.

Having a low level of iron in your blood is not the result of being a vegetarian, it's the result of poor eating habits. Stay away from the junk food.

Answer 9

Try eating foods rich in iron, such as lentils, beans, leaf vegetables, tofu, chickpeas, black-eyed pea, strawberries and farina. Meat, fish, and poultry all contain lots of iron as well, but that won't work seeing as how you're vegetarian.

Iron supplements can help, but the human body expels most of the iron, instead of absorbing it. There's also the risk with supplements of taking too much iron at once, which can be harmful to your health.

So basically, make sure that you eat lots of iron-rich food with every meal.

Answer 10

Eat beans, and something with a lot of vitamin C. Beans are rich in iron and the iron will break down and enter your system easier with some vitamin C.