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How do I get iron into my child's diet?

Iron is used by the body in the production of haemoglobin and myoglobin, both of which are responsible for transporting and storing oxygen in the body. Since your body needs oxygen to function, it’s important that you get enough iron. When you are deficient in iron, you are said to be anaemic, and anaemia is a potentially dangerous condition.
 
Iron deficiency causes a range of symptoms, ranging from tiredness and irritability to impaired cognitive development. It’s also one of the most common types of deficiency in developed countries.
 
Iron is available from animal products, in the form of heme iron, which is easily absorbed by the body, or non-heme iron, from fruits, vegetables and other sources.
 
Make sure that your child eats plenty of red meat, poultry and seafood, or if you or your child are vegetarian, or to supplement that intake, with green leafy vegetables, broccoli, strawberries and potatoes, among other foods.
 
As long as your child’s average iron intake is sufficient, an iron supplement is not necessary, or recommended. While it’s virtually impossible to get too much iron from food, it can be toxic in too high a dose, and supplements can be dangerous. Only ever give your child an iron supplement if your doctor recommends it.

More questions

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Check out these simple steps you can take to make sure that your child gets enough calcium.
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Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are some of the best sources of calcium, but it can also be found in less expected sources.
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There is a difference between iron that is found in animal sources and plant sources of iron.
There is a difference between iron that is found in animal sources and plant sources of iron.
Iron is vital in order to ensure good health and development in your child. It is responsible for making haemoglobin, the pigment which carries oxygen to the blood and myoglobin, a pigment that stores oxygen in...

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