The table below lists foods high in iron. The table lists all foods per
100 grams (3.5oz) for comparison purposes and because its difficult to
estimate an average serving for iron rich foods.
Foods rich in iron and the highest source of iron usually come from animal origin
for example liver, kidneys and meats. They are a rich source of iron
due to the size of the portions eaten as many people can consume up to 200 grams
of meat per serving. The table shows some foods of plant origin to contain
very high levels of iron such as the herbs or breakfast cereals however, be
aware that these foods are eaten in much smaller portions rendering them a
lower source of iron rich foods than those of animal origin.
Consuming iron rich foods can be essential for effective weight loss. The
iron is used to produce red blood cells, these carry oxygenated blood to
exercising muscles and enable us to exercise with vigor which helps burn
more calories. People with slight iron deficiencies often feel lethargic and
may not be as active as people with an adequate iron intake.
Oxygen is also needed to enable cells to burn fat completely. The more
oxygen supplied to working muscles the more fat can be burned. However this
does not mean consuming very high levels of iron will help burn more fat.
High doses of iron are not recommended!
Table of food high in iron:
|
Iron rich food |
Iron Content |
RDA % * |
Calories |
|
Cockles
boiled |
28mg |
155% |
50 |
|
Black
Pudding |
20mg |
111% |
300 |
|
Liver |
9mg |
50% |
190 |
|
Fish
Paste |
9mg |
50% |
170 |
|
Faggots |
8.3mg |
46% |
270 |
|
Kidney |
8mg |
44% |
170 |
|
Venison |
7.8mg |
43% |
200 |
|
Heart |
7.7mg |
43% |
180 |
|
Mussels
boiled |
7mg |
39% |
90 |
|
Liver
Pate |
7mg |
39% |
190 |
|
Liver
Sausage |
6.4mg |
36% |
312 |
|
Goose |
5mg |
28% |
320 |
|
Pheasant |
5mg |
28% |
220 |
|
Shrimps
canned |
5mg |
28% |
95 |
|
Haggis |
4.8mg |
27% |
310 |
|
Sardines
canned |
4.5mg |
27% |
180 |
|
Anchovies
canned |
4mg |
22% |
285 |
|
Whitebait |
4mg |
22% |
310 |
|
Tongue Ox |
3mg |
17% |
300 |
|
Pilchards
canned |
2.7mg |
16% |
130 |
|
Beef lean |
2.5mg |
16% |
240 |
|
Other Iron rich foods |
Iron content |
RDA % |
Calories |
|
Thyme
ground |
124mg |
688% * |
276 |
|
Curry
Powder |
58mg |
321% * |
233 |
|
Oat &
Wheat Bran |
45mg |
250% * |
330 |
|
Cinnamon
ground |
38mg |
210% * |
- |
|
Garam
Masala |
33mg |
183% * |
380 |
|
Rosemary |
30mg |
167% * |
330 |
|
Oxo cube |
24.5mg |
136% * |
230 |
|
Paprika |
24mg |
133% * |
290 |
|
Bran
Flakes |
20mg |
111% |
320 |
|
Ready
Brek |
13.2mg |
73% |
373 |
|
Special K
cereal |
13mg |
73% |
370 |
|
Bran
Wheat |
13mg |
73% |
205 |
|
Sesame
Seeds |
10mg |
55% |
11 |
|
Black
Treacle |
9.2mg |
54% |
260 |
|
Soya
flour low fat |
9mg |
50% |
350 |
|
Wheatgerm |
8.5mg |
49% |
300 |
|
Liquorice |
8mg |
44% |
310 |
|
Cashew
Nuts |
6.2mg |
34% |
610 |
|
Blackcurrants canned |
5mg |
28% |
45 |
|
Figs
dried |
4.2mg |
23% |
205 |
|
Bombay
Mix |
3.8mg |
21% |
500 |
|
Lentils
boiled |
3.5mg |
19% |
100 |
|
Apricots
ready-to-eat |
3.5mg |
19% |
160 |
|
Hazelnuts |
3.2mg |
19% |
650 |
|
Almonds |
3mg |
17% |
600 |
|
Twiglets |
3mg |
17% |
380 |
|
Soya
beans |
3mg |
17% |
140 |
|
Malt
bread |
2.8mg |
16% |
270 |
|
Wholemeal
bread |
2.7mg |
15% |
215 |
|
Red
Kidney beans |
2.5mg |
14% |
100 |
|
Watercress |
2.2mg |
14% |
23 |