Foods Rich in Iron
You Are What You Eat
Your body obtains iron from certain foods. You’ll find some good sources of iron listed in the chart below. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that the iron in foods that come from animals tends to be more easily absorbed by the body.
Beware of Foods That Block Iron Absorption
When women are pregnant, they need about twice as much iron. Some foods make it difficult for your body to absorb iron. These include coffee, tea, egg yolks, milk, fiber, and soy protein. Try to avoid eating these foods at the same time you are eating iron-rich foods.
A Selection of Iron-Rich Foods
| Food |
Milligrams
per serving |
| Chicken liver, cooked, 3½ ounces |
12.8 |
| Oysters, breaded and fried, 6 pieces |
4.5 |
| Beef, chuck, lean only, braised, 3 ounces |
3.2 |
| Clams, breaded, fried, ¾ cup |
3.0 |
| Turkey, dark meat, roasted, 3½ ounces |
2.3 |
| Tuna, fresh bluefin, cooked, dry heat, 3 ounces |
1.1 |
| Chicken, breast, roasted, 3 ounces |
1.1 |
| Halibut, cooked, dry heat, 3 ounces |
0.9 |
| Pork, loin, broiled, 3 ounces |
0.8 |
| Shrimp, mixed species, cooked, moist heat, 4 large |
0.7 |
| Ready-to-eat cereal, 100% iron fortified, ¾ cup |
18.0 |
| Oatmeal, instant, fortified, prepared with water, 1 cup |
10.0 |
| Soybeans, mature, boiled, 1 cup |
8.8 |
| Lentils, boiled, 1 cup |
6.6 |
| Beans, kidney, mature, boiled, 1 cup |
5.2 |
| Beans, black, mature, boiled, 1 cup |
3.6 |
| Tofu, raw, firm, ½ cup |
3.4 |
| Spinach, boiled, drained, ½ cup |
3.2 |
| Black-eyed peas (cowpeas), boiled, 1 cup |
1.8 |
| Grits, white, enriched, quick, prepared with water, 1 cup |
1.5 |
| Raisins, seedless, packed, ½ cup |
1.5 |
| White bread, enriched, 1 slice |
0.9 |
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