Iron and your child s diet (1999)

Key points below


What is iron?  

Iron is a mineral that helps red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Children need iron to grow. Iron deficiency anemia can happen when a child does not eat enough iron. A child with this type of anemia may be tired and get sick more often than normal. It may also keep your child from growing as they should.  

What are iron-rich foods?

Super Iron Sources 
Give your child 1 or more each day
Beef 
Hamburger
Venison
Turkey
Chicken 
Fish
White or kidney beans
Lentils
Tofu

Good Iron Sources 
Give 2 to 3 each day
Oatmeal
Cereals (fortified with 45% or more of the Daily Value of iron)*
Quinoa
Whole wheat bread
Enriched pasta, rice, or bread*

Fair Iron Sources
Give 2 to 3 each day
Prunes
Raisins
Tomatoes
Green Peas
Peanut Butter
Nuts and seeds
Spinach
Baked Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Broccoli

*Enriched or fortified foods have nutrients like iron added to increase the nutritional content. 

Note: If your child follows a vegetarian diet, they may not absorb as much iron from their foods. Follow the tips below to help them absorb as much as iron as possible.
Mealtime tips

Do not let your child drink too much milk.  It is not a good source of iron. The calcium in milk may make it hard for iron to be absorbed by the body. Ask your child’s doctor or dietitian how much milk is right for their age. 
Add foods that are rich in iron to other foods to boost iron content.  Try adding beans or lentils to hamburger, meatloaf, or casseroles.  Add oatmeal to cookie batter.

Vitamin C helps

Vitamin C helps the body use iron. To get more iron from non-meat foods, iron-containing foods with Vitamin C rich foods.
Sources of Vitamin C:
Oranges 
Potatoes
Broccoli, Spinach & Cabbage
Strawberries & Blueberries
Grapefruit 
Tomatoes & Tomato juice
Watermelon & Cantaloupe
Green Peppers
Collard greens & Mustard greens

Good Combinations for Vitamin C and non-meat iron:

Reading food labels

See the Daily Iron Needs for Children chart below.
In general, foods that contain 15 to 20% of the total Daily Value of iron are good sources. 

Age and Mg Iron Needed Each Day

0 to  6  months - 0.27 mg
7 to 12 months - 11 mg
1 to 3 years - 7 mg 
4 to 8 years - 10 mg
9 to 13 years - 8 mg
14 to 18 years (male) - 11 mg
14 to 18 years (female) - 15 mg

Supplements

Though not necessary for most children, some may need a multivitamin or iron supplement to prevent deficiency. 
Babies fed human milk have enough iron stores to last them until 4 to 6 months old. After this age, talk with your baby’s doctor to see if they need an iron supplement. Infants given iron-fortified formula or iron-rich foods typically do not need an iron supplement.
Talk to your child’s doctor or dietitian before starting any supplements.

 

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if your child has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.