Anemia

by D. McKenzie
(Kingston, Jamaica, W.I)

Recently found out that my 12 year old daughter is mildly anemic from a blood test requested by our doctor. Requesting a idea of what a weekly menu should consist of to help.

Answer
Anaemia can result from not having enough iron in the diet. Make sure you daughter eats meat regularly, especially liver which is rich in iron.

Other foods rich in iron include dried fruits, seafood, dried fruits such as apricots, prunes and raisins, beans especially lima beans, nuts, green leafy veg like broccoli and spinach, whole grains. Some cereals are fortified with extra iron - check the label.

Eating foods with a high vitamin C content, like citrus foods alongside your iron-rich foods can help the body absorb the iron more efficiently. Other foods make it harder for the body to absorb iron - milk, egg whites, coffee and tea, for example.

Elizabeth
Healthy Eating Made Easy