Preparation
PUMP IRON ANGEL STYLE!
(You can print and use this as a shopping list.)
Tips & pointers for maintaining a proper iron level in preparation for your upcoming Angel donation!
The best foods that easily absorb iron are animal products. That said, you can improve your ability of absorb iron from vegetables, fruits, grains and supplements by mixing them with lean meant, fish or poultry. By combining meant, fish or poultry with dark leafy greens and beans you can improve their absorption potential by up to three times. Foods rich in vitamin C also increase iron absorption.
Foods that DECREASE iron absorption are back or pekoe teas,beverages and foods containing caffeine. Please do not consume caffeine for several days in advance of your life saving gift.
*Here are some IRON RICH foods for you to enjoy!
ANIMAL PROTEIN
Liver
Lean red meat (ie. beef)
Poultry
Dark red meat
Tuna
Salmon
Eggs (don't forget the yolk!) GRAINS
Iron-fortified cereals
Wheat
Millet
Oats
Brown Rice
Whole grains
LEGUMES/BEANS
Lima beans
Soybeans
Dried beans/peas
Kidney beans
GO NUTS (easy to add to a leafy salad or cook with a veggie)
Almonds
Brazil nuts
Seeds
FRUITS AND VEGGIES
Raisins
Apricots
Prunes
Dark leafy vegetables
Broccoli
Spinach
Kale
Collards
Asparagus
*Tip: Do some cooking with a friends or a date using these iron rich ingredients in advance of your life saving donation. Being a life-saver can be fun-if you send a fab iron rich recipe we will gladly post it and credit you as the AIW Iron Pumping trainer!