Diet advice for anemic vegetarian?

Question

I've been a vegetarian for a few years. I eat seafood, but not meat. Unfortunately, I'm also anemic. I constantly feel tired and almost faint when standing up.

My doctor didn't give me good advice on what to eat to boost my iron. What kinds of vegetarian foods can I add to my diet?

Answer 1

I also was anemic, just below normal, so not severe. I took vegan VegLife's iron mineral tablets, and started to eat more dark leafy greens. I know that everybody said to eat the greens, and I said I was, but when I started a food diary, I noticed that it was not everyday that I ate greens! I now make it a priority to eat greens everyday, and if I am in a rush and can't even have a dark green salad (baby spinach or even the baby lettuces that are really dark and colorful), then I drink a spirulina shake. Spirulina is also found in Odwalla's superfood smoothies (if you can buy them where you are at). With the vegan iron tablets and Odwalla's superfood smoothies, I had alot more energy and was fine in two months.

Answer 2

Don't let anyone give you a hard time about the vegetarian diet. You can get almost everything you need in good vine ripe fruits and veggies. Lots of dark and bright colors. Add some good quality Omega 3 and B12. Lots of nuts, Almonds, Walnuts both have omega 3s. With no animal products in your diet you protect yourself against, cancer, heart diseases, diabetes and lots more. Dr. Campbell's book China Study is good reference about what foods can do for and to your body.

You will have to do some research and be sure you balance your foods

Answer 3

I had a similar problem... I wound up having to start eating chicken again after 20 yrs of being a vegetarian to compensate... if you are going to try B-12, make sure you buy sublingual (under the tongue dissolving) B-12, and try tofu and nuts like walnuts for protein.

Answer 4

Dark green vegetables like broccoli and especially spinach are high in Iron (dark, green and leafy veggies are typically so). You should also think about taking a B12 supplement too, because this vitamin also can be deficient in veg diets and is also important for making the hemoglobin in your blood. - I am aware that a B12 patch is advertised on http://vegweb.com that is supposed to be natural and vegan friendly, but I think they are expensive :/

Answer 5

I donate plasma and have to keep my iron up. They suggested green, leafy veggies (the darker the better)and raisins! Specifically, they said just eat Total raisin bran every morning. Also, there are iron supplements you can take. Over the counter, you can get SlowFE iron pills.

Answer 6

Google the protein sources that are not meat. There is always tofu...good God, eat whatever it takes to feel good...being vegetarian is not that important if your body won't thrive on it.

Answer 7

Think about getting a new doc aswell.

Answer 8

blackstrap molasses, spinach, prunes, grapes, grape juice,

Answer 9

yes