How to Prevent Iron-Deficiency Anemia

A lack of iron in your diet can prevent your body from making enough hemoglobins to keep sufficient levels of oxygen in your red blood cells. You can easily prevent iron-deficiency anemia, but you need to be careful because too much iron can be bad for other parts of your body.

Instructions

Learn to Prevent Iron-Deficiency Anemia

• 1

  Eat a balanced and healthy diet that contains at least 10 mg of iron per day if you are a man and 18 mg per day if you are a woman. Iron-rich foods include eggs, whole grains, beans and most meats and vegetables.

• 2

  Increase the amount of iron you consume if you are pregnant or have heavy periods. Pregnant women should be getting close to 30 mg of iron each day. Women need to be careful to monitor the amount of iron in their diets because they have a greater risk of becoming anemic.

• 3

  Double your daily intake of iron if you are a vegetarian or vegan. There are two types of iron and the kind that is found in animal products is much easier for your body to process. Consider snacking on peanuts and cashews because they have high amounts of iron and protein.

• 4

  Ask your doctor about taking iron supplements if you've had problems with iron deficiency anemia in the past. Generally, men and postmenopausal women shouldn't need these supplements. Overloading your body with iron can cause serious damage to both your liver and your heart.

• 5

  Nurse your child or give him an iron-fortified infant formula until he is 12 months old. You can prevent him from getting iron deficiency anemia by feeding him iron-rich cereals. Ask you doctor about the amount of iron your baby needs if he was born prematurely.