If your child has anaemia, he is likely to feel very sleepy and tired and has a lot of headaches. These are the first symptoms of a lack of iron in his body, but they are not the only ones: lack of energy, muscle weakness, and weakness. So how do you avoid and combat anaemia? Foods against childhood anaemia that is the most recommended are:
Iron-rich foods to combat anaemia in children
Improves the absorption of iron from food
Anaemia in babies and pregnant women
Iron-rich foods to combat anaemia in children
Infantile anaemia
Each red blood cell has iron in its haemoglobin, which is the molecule that carries oxygen to the tissues of the lungs. Therefore, red blood cells are necessary to carry oxygen throughout the body. A lack of iron causes cells and tissues to receive less oxygen, affecting their functioning, and we call this anaemia a widespread nutritional deficiency in children.
There is nothing better to prevent childhood anaemia than a good, varied, and balanced diet. Iron is a mineral that is abundant in beef, poultry and fish. In addition, iron from animal products is better absorbed than iron from plant products, which, although in lesser amounts, is also present in some foods. In general, the richest sources of iron are found in foods such as:
- Beef
Lamb and other red meats are very rich in iron.
- Eggs
Each egg contains 1 mg of iron; therefore, they are very beneficial in avoiding anaemia.
- Seafood
Shellfish such as mussels, clams, oysters and cockles are rich in iron.
- Fish
Fish also helps in the prevention of anaemia, as it contains iron. Some fatty fish, like salmon, tuna and sardines, are highly recommended.
- Viscera
Veal liver, sweetbreads, and the heart, also contain high amounts of iron.
- Legumes
Beans, lentils, chickpeas, and soy should not be missing from the diet for a child with anaemia.
- Nuts
Peanuts and walnuts are great foods in the fight against anaemia.
- Vegetables
Peas, broccoli, cauliflower and beets are vegetables rich in iron. In addition, they contain vitamin B12 and folic acid, nutrients that help recover from anaemia. All dark green leafy vegetables are also highly recommended. Spinach, for example.
- Fruits
Grapes, mangoes, grapes or apples are ideal for treating anaemia in children.
Improves the absorption of iron from food
Eat foods with iron
Iron is as important as the food we put in our mouths is how it is absorbed. Iron absorption is more effective when ingested in the same digestion with ascorbic or citric acid. Vitamin C, found in oranges and lemons, improves iron absorption from food.
According to some experts, some infusions and cow’s milk in the same digestion can inhibit iron absorption. For this reason, when eating a good steak, for example, accompany it with orange juice or whole fruit and avoid dairy products (cheese, yoghurt, custard, custard) at the same meal.
Anaemia in babies and pregnant women
anaemia in pregnancy
The first step to preventing anaemia in babies is preventing the pregnant mother from presenting a lack of iron and anaemia. To determine if a pregnant woman has anaemia, you must perform a blood test through regular prenatal check-ups.
Hence the baby is born, the new mother must also take care of her health to ensure breastfeeding, at least during the first six months of her little one’s life. In cases of artificial feeding, infant milk formulas incorporate an iron supplement to feed the baby. From that moment on, controlling iron in the baby’s bloodstream is done only through feeding.
Achieving an adequate, balanced and nutrient-rich diet is an essential basis for the extraordinary growth and development of the baby. For this feeding to be complete, proteins, carbohydrates and fats, as well as vitamins and minerals, should not be lacking in the baby’s diet.
In the cases of premature babies, it is advisable to use an iron supplement as prevention whenever the paediatrician sees it necessary. Another important measure would be to periodically rule out the existence of intestinal parasites through a routine stool analysis. Pediatric control in these cases is more than necessary.
