What Does Iron-fortified Mean?
A food fortified with iron is one to which iron was added during processing to make the food more nutritious. The most common examples of iron-fortified food are baby formulas and breakfast cereals.
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Why Fortifiy With Iron
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Some people, such as vegetarians, may have difficulty getting enough iron in their diets. Women also require more iron than men because of blood loss from menstruation and during pregnancy. Fortifying staple foods such as breads, cereals and pastas gives the average person a better chance of consuming enough iron in her diet.
Iron-rich Foods
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According to the Mayo Clinic, foods that are naturally rich in iron include meat, poultry, fish and eggs. Meat is a source of heme iron, which is easier to absorb. Non-heme iron comes from vegetables such as spinach and are not as easy to absorb. You can increase your iron absorption by consuming a source of vitamin C at the same time. Oranges and tomatoes are good candidates.
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Warning
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Do not take extra iron supplements unless you have taken a blood test and have been directed to take supplements by your physician. Too much iron can lead to cirrhosis of the liver or heart failure in some people, according to the National Institutes of Health. However, this is usually not caused by consuming foods that are naturally rich in iron.
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References
- Photo Credit oatmeal with brown sugar and blueberries image by David Smith from Fotolia.com
