Dismiss Modal

High Iron Foods: General Info

Choose a preferred language


What foods are high in iron?

../images/3f08565a945cf078d841a6483ec5c9dc.jpg

The foods you eat contain nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. Iron is a nutrient. Your body needs the
right amount to stay healthy and work as it should. You can use the list below to help you make choices about
which foods to eat.

Here are some foods that contain iron. They have 1 to 2 milligrams of iron per serving.

Fruits

  • Figs (dried), 5 figs

Vegetables

  • Asparagus (canned), 6 spears

  • Collard, beet, Swiss chard, or turnip greens, 1 cup

  • Dried peas, cooked, ½ cup

  • Seaweed, spirulina (dried), ¼ cup

  • Spinach, (cooked) ½ cup or (raw) 1 cup

Grains

  • Cereals, fortified with iron, 1 cup

  • Grits (instant, cooked), fortified with iron, ½ cup

Meats and other protein foods

  • Beans (kidney, lima, navy, white), canned or cooked, ½ cup

  • Beef or lamb, 3 oz

  • Chicken giblets, 3 oz

  • Chickpeas (garbanzo beans), ½ cup

  • Liver of beef, lamb, or pork, 3 oz

  • Oysters (cooked), 3 oz

  • Sardines (canned), 3 oz

  • Soybeans (boiled), ½ cup

  • Tofu (firm), ½ cup

Work with your doctor to find out how much of this nutrient you need. Depending on your health, you may need
more or less of it in your diet.

Current as of: September 20, 2023

Content Version: 14.0

Care instructions adapted under license by your
healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask
your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of
this information.

© 2006-2025 Healthwise, Incorporated.
Related Articles
Read article
Read article
Wellness
Iron Supplements

Iron helps the blood cells carry oxygen. When you don't get enough iron, you may feel tired and lack energy. Anemia ("tired" blood) is a health problem that can occur when the body's iron levels are very low. Our bodies don't make iron, so we must get it from foods or supplements.

Read article
Read article
High Calcium Foods: General Info

What foods are high in calcium?The foods you eat contain nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. Calciu...

Read article
Read article
Hematology
Iron-Deficiency Anemia (Child)

Iron is an important mineral that helps build red blood cells and hemoglobin. With low supplies of iron, the body can't make enough red blood cells. This is called iron-deficiency anemia.

Read article
Read article
Immune Conditions
Iron-Deficiency Anemia

The most common cause of anemia is a lack of iron. This is called iron-deficiency anemia. Read on to learn more.