Iron is a mineral that serves several important functions, its main one being to carry oxygen throughout your body as a part of red blood cells.
It’s an essential nutrient, meaning you must get it from food. The recommended daily intake (RDI) is 18 mg.
Interestingly, the amount of iron your body absorbs is partly based on how much you have stored.
A deficiency can occur if your intake is too low to replace the amount you lose every day.
Iron deficiency can cause anemia and lead to symptoms like fatigue. Menstruating women who don’t consume iron-rich foods are at a particularly high risk of deficiency.
Luckily, there are plenty of good food choices to help you meet your daily iron needs.
Here are 12 healthy foods that are high in iron.
1. Shellfish
Shellfish are tasty and nutritious. All shellfish are high in iron, but clams, oysters, and mussels are particularly good sources.
For instance, a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of clams may contain up to 3 mg of iron, which is 17% of the recommended daily intake.
However, the iron content of clams is highly variable, and some types may contain much lower amounts.
The iron in shellfish is heme iron, which your body absorbs more easily than the non-heme iron found in plants.
A 3.5-ounce serving of clams also provides 26 grams of protein, 24% of the recommended daily intake for vitamin C, and a whopping 4,125% of the recommended daily intake for vitamin B12.
All shellfish are high in nutrients and have been shown to increase the level of heart-healthy HDL cholesterol in your blood.
Although there are legitimate concerns about mercury and toxins in certain types of fish and shellfish, the benefits of consuming seafood far outweigh the risks.
Summary: A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of clams provides 17% of the recommended daily intake for iron. Shellfish is also rich in many other nutrients and may increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels in your blood.
2. Spinach
Spinach provides many health benefits but very few calories.
About 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of raw spinach contain 2.7 mg of iron or 15% of the recommended daily intake.
Although this is non-heme iron, which isn’t absorbed very well, spinach is also rich in vitamin C. This is important since vitamin C significantly boosts iron absorption.
Spinach is also rich in antioxidants called carotenoids, which may reduce your risk of cancer, decrease inflammation, and protect your eyes from disease.
Consuming spinach and other leafy greens with fat helps your body absorb the carotenoids, so make sure to eat healthy fat like olive oil with your spinach.
Summary: Spinach provides 15% of the recommended daily intake for iron per serving, along with several vitamins and minerals. It also contains important antioxidants.
3. Liver and other organ meats
Organ meats are extremely nutritious. Popular types include liver, kidneys, brain, and heart — all of which are high in iron.
For example, a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of beef liver contains 6.5 mg of iron or 36% of the recommended daily intake.
Organ meats are also high in protein and rich in B vitamins, copper, and selenium.
The liver is especially high in vitamin A, providing an impressive 1,049% of the recommended daily intake per 3.5-ounce serving.
What’s more, organ meats are among the best sources of choline, an important nutrient for brain and liver health that many people don’t get enough of.
Summary: Organ meats are good sources of iron, and the liver contains 36% of the recommended daily intake per serving. Organ meats are also rich in many other nutrients, such as selenium, vitamin A, and choline.
4. Legumes
Legumes are loaded with nutrients.
Some of the most common types of legumes are beans, lentils, chickpeas, peas, and soybeans.
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They’re a great source of iron, especially for vegetarians. One cup (198 grams) of cooked lentils contains 6.6 mg, which is 37% of the recommended daily intake.
Beans like black beans, navy beans, and kidney beans can all help easily bump up your iron intake.
A half-cup (86-gram) serving of cooked black beans provides around 1.8 grams of iron or 10% of the recommended daily intake.
Legumes are also a good source of folate, magnesium, and potassium.
What’s more, studies have shown that beans and other legumes can reduce inflammation in people with diabetes. Legumes can also decrease heart disease risk for people with metabolic syndrome.
Additionally, legumes may help you lose weight. They’re very high in soluble fiber, which can increase feelings of fullness and reduce calorie intake.
In one study, a high fiber diet containing beans was shown to be as effective as a low carb diet for weight loss.
To maximize iron absorption, consume legumes with foods high in vitamin C, such as tomatoes, greens, or citrus fruits.
Summary: One cup (198 grams) of cooked lentils provides 37% of the recommended daily intake for iron. Legumes are also high in folate, magnesium, potassium, and fiber and may even aid in weight loss.
5. Red meat
Red meat is satisfying and nutritious.
A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of ground beef contains 2.7 mg of iron, which is 15% of the recommended daily intake.
Meat is also rich in protein, zinc, selenium, and several B vitamins.
Researchers have suggested that iron deficiency may be less likely in people who eat meat, poultry, and fish regularly.
Red meat is probably the single most easily accessible source of heme iron, potentially making it an important food for people who are prone to anemia.
In one study looking at changes in iron stores after aerobic exercise, women who consumed meat retained iron better than those who took iron supplements.
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Summary: One serving of ground beef contains 15% of the recommended daily intake for iron and is one of the most easily accessible sources of heme iron. It’s also rich in B vitamins, zinc, selenium, and high-quality protein.
6. Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are a tasty, portable snack.
A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving of pumpkin seeds contains 2.5 mg of iron, which is 14% of the recommended daily intake.
In addition, pumpkin seeds are a good source of vitamin K, zinc, and manganese. They’re also among the best sources of magnesium, which many people are low in.
A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving contains 40% of the recommended daily intake for magnesium, which helps reduce your risk of insulin resistance, diabetes, and depression.
Summary: Pumpkin seeds provide 14% of the recommended daily intake for iron per 1-ounce serving. They’re also a good source of several other nutrients, particularly magnesium.
7. Quinoa
Quinoa is a popular grain known as a pseudocereal. One cup (185 grams) of cooked quinoa provides 2.8 mg of iron, which is 16% of the recommended daily intake.
Furthermore, quinoa contains no gluten, making it a good choice for people with celiac disease or other forms of gluten intolerance.
Quinoa is also higher in protein than many other grains, as well as rich in folate, magnesium, copper, manganese, and many other nutrients.
In addition, quinoa has more antioxidant activity than many other grains. Antioxidants help protect your cells from damage from free radicals, which are formed during metabolism and in response to stress.
Summary: Quinoa provides 16% of the recommended daily intake for iron per serving. It also contains no gluten and is high in protein, folate, minerals, and antioxidants.
8. Turkey
Turkey meat is healthy and delicious food. It’s also a good source of iron, especially dark turkey meat.
A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) portion of dark turkey meat has 1.4 mg of iron, which is 8% of the recommended daily intake.
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In comparison, the same amount of white turkey meat contains only 0.7 mg.
Dark turkey meat also packs an impressive 28 grams of protein per serving and several B vitamins and minerals, including 32% of the recommended daily intake for zinc and 57% of the recommended daily intake for selenium.
Consuming high-protein foods like turkey may aid weight loss, as protein makes you feel full and increases your metabolic rate after a meal.
High protein intake can also help prevent the muscle loss that occurs during weight loss and the aging process.
Summary: Turkey provides 13% of the recommended daily intake for iron and is a good source of several vitamins and minerals. Its high protein content promotes fullness, increases metabolism, and prevents muscle loss.
9. Broccoli
Broccoli is incredibly nutritious. A 1-cup (156-gram) serving of cooked broccoli contains 1 mg of iron, which is 6% of the recommended daily intake.
What’s more, a serving of broccoli also packs 112% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, which helps your body absorb iron better.
The same serving size is also high in folate and provides 5 grams of fiber, as well as some vitamin K. Broccoli is a member of the cruciferous vegetable family, which also includes cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage.
Cruciferous vegetables contain indole, sulforaphane, and glucosinolates, which are plant compounds believed to protect against cancer.
Summary: One serving of broccoli provides 6% of the recommended daily intake for iron and is very high in vitamins C, K, and folate. It may also help reduce cancer risk.
10. Tofu
Tofu is a soy-based food that’s popular among vegetarians and in some Asian countries.
A half-cup (126-gram) serving provides 3.4 mg of iron, which is 19% of the recommended daily intake.
Tofu is also a good source of thiamine and several minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and selenium. In addition, it provides 22 grams of protein per serving.
Tofu contains unique compounds called isoflavones, which have been linked to improved insulin sensitivity, a decreased risk of heart disease, and relief from menopausal symptoms.
Summary: Tofu provides 19% of the recommended daily intake for iron per serving and is rich in protein and minerals. Its isoflavones may improve heart health and relieve menopausal symptoms.
11. Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is incredibly delicious and nutritious.
A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving contains 3.4 mg of iron, which is 19% of the recommended daily intake.
This small serving also packs 56% and 15% of the recommended daily intakes for copper and magnesium, respectively.
In addition, it contains prebiotic fiber, which nourishes the friendly bacteria in your gut.
A study found that cocoa powder and dark chocolate had more antioxidant activity than powders and juices made from acai berries and blueberries.
Studies have also shown that chocolate has beneficial effects on cholesterol and may reduce your risk of heart attacks and strokes.
However, not all chocolate is created equal. It’s believed that compounds called flavanols are responsible for chocolate’s benefits, and the flavanol content of dark chocolate is much higher than that of milk chocolate.
Therefore, it’s best to consume chocolate with a minimum of 70% cocoa to get the maximum benefits.
Summary: A small serving of dark chocolate contains 19% of the recommended daily intake for iron along with several minerals and prebiotic fiber that promotes gut health.
12. Fish
Fish is a highly nutritious ingredient, and certain varieties like tuna are especially high in iron.
A 3-ounce (85-gram) serving of canned tuna contains about 1.4 mg of iron, which is approximately 8% of the recommended daily intake.
Fish is also brimming with omega-3 fatty acids, which are a type of heart-healthy fat associated with several health benefits.
n particular, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to promote brain health, enhance immune function, and support healthy growth and development.
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Fish also contains several other essential nutrients, including niacin, selenium, and vitamin B12.
Besides tuna, haddock, mackerel, and sardines are a few other examples of iron-rich fish that you can also include in your diet.
Summary: A serving of canned tuna can provide about 8% of the recommended daily intake for iron. Fish is also a good source of several other important nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Summary
Iron is an important mineral that must be consumed regularly as your body cannot produce it on its own.
Yet, it should be noted that some people need to limit their intake of red meat and other foods high in heme iron.
However, most people are easily able to regulate the amount they absorb from food.
Remember that if you don’t eat meat or fish, you can boost absorption by including a source of vitamin C when eating plant sources of iron.
