6 Iron-Packed Vegetables to Add to Your Diet

Eating a balanced diet of healthy, nutrient-dense foods that contain natural sources of iron can help keep your energy levels up while protecting your body from numerous types of illnesses. In this article, we'll explore some delicious vegetables that are packed with iron, so you can get the most out of what Mother Nature has to offer. 

Eating your daily serving of vegetables is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but did you know that some types of veggies are particularly rich in iron? Iron is an important mineral required for many bodily functions. It helps in delivering oxygen throughout our body and supports healthy growth, development, and alert mental performance. Iron deficiency in the body can cause issues like iron-deficiency anemia. The good news is that you can combat these issues with the right nutrition. With that said, we'll explore the importance of this mineral in the diet, some amazing vegetables high in iron, along with some recipes you can try to include in your daily diet. 

Why Is Iron Important? 

Iron is a vital part of our metabolism and plays an important role in many biochemical processes in the body, like DNA synthesis. It is an essential component of hemoglobin, a protein that helps transport oxygen throughout our body. Individuals with iron deficiency have a decreased efficiency of oxygen transport and uptake in their bodies. Symptoms of iron deficiency can manifest as fatigue, exercise intolerance, and paleness. 

Iron deficiency is also one of the most common causes of anemia. Even mild and moderate forms of iron deficiency anemia can be associated with affected cognitive development and immunity of an individual. Thus, it is very important to include high-iron vegetables for anemia prevention. It’s also beneficial to add foods that aid in the absorption of iron in the body to your diet. 
In the next section, we explore several vegetables rich in iron along with some delectable recipes.

Vegetables Rich In Iron

The recommended daily intake for women is 19 mg/day whereas for men it is 29 mg. Women typically need more iron since they also lose it during menstruation, while children need more to keep up with their bodily changes as they grow. Listed below are some vegetables high in iron that’ll boost your diet:

You can consume these vegetables for anemia prevention and to enjoy their numerous health benefits. Here are a few ways you can incorporate these iron-rich veggies into your daily meals:

You can also incorporate certain foods rich in vitamin C  that capture non-heme iron (a form of iron present in veggies and fruits) and convert it into a more easily absorbable form for the body. These include vegetables like capsicum, potatoes, spinach, cabbage and cauliflower as well as fruits like oranges, tangerines, lemons, strawberries and pineapples. These can be had alongside the above-mentioned vegetables high in iron for anemia prevention. 

Conclusion 

From amaranth leaves to cluster beans, there are plenty of vegetables rich in iron you can rotate into your diet to keep your iron needs in check. It's always vital to balance your meals with regular servings of fresh vegetables, keeping portion control in mind.For a flavourful way to cook them, you could try any of the recipe ideas provided. Whether it's as part of breakfast, lunch, or dinner, iron is essential for a healthy body, and you can easily add these vegetables rich in iron into your day-to-day meals. With that in mind, it’s time to get creative in the kitchen, so put on an apron, grab a fresh veggie from the grocery store, and start cooking up a storm!