Low Iron

[NaomiK]

The doctor told us my daughter (11 months) has low iron. She said its not low enough to need a supplement but that she needs to eat more meat and green veggies. Problem is, she only wants it every once in a while. Sometimes she loves it, other times she throws it on the floor. Im guessing this is part of learning to eat, but I want to make sure she is healthy. I started "hiding" meat and veggies in some of her food. For example, the other night I tried to give her chicken and she wanted no part of it, so I made her a grilled cheese (which she loves) and put chicken in it and she ate the whole thing. I was wondering if anyone had any similar ideas of ways I can get her to eat healthy without knowing it.

[djasinski]

My daughter is 2 years old and we have been battling with low iron since she was 10 months old. We keep it diet controlled. Oatmeal is great, raisins and other dried fruits like apricots and peaches, scrambled eggs, beans, chicken good too. I think the important thing is to find several different things high in iron that she likes so that you have more options and a better chance of finding what she likes. Good luck

[NaomiK]

I bought her some beans last night, Im gonna try them tonight. I didnt now apricots and peaches had high iron. Thanks so much, Ill try those too!

[CLS]

If she likes cereal, Total cereals have lots of Iron in them too. (Any variety, even the "frosted" flakes version.

Also, you can try making a puree of something like spinach and add it to something like soup to "hide" it. This even works with meat. Last night I actually ground up chicken and mixed it into mashed potatos for my son!

[NaomiK]

Thats a good idea. Problem is, one day she likes mashed potatoes (or whatever it may be) and the next day she wants nothing to do with it. I just keep giving healthy food to her though. I read somewhere that you may have to offer a food 10-15 times before they actually eat it. And the cereal is a really good idea. I dont know why I didnt think of that! Thanks

[mtnmama1]

In addition to cereal, fortified bread is a good source of iron. While it's not a spectacular source of iron, you can make pumpkin bread and it's a reasonably decent source of iron.

This is a list of good iron foods you may find useful. http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/nutrition/factsheets/iron.html

[craftyashley]

Pears are a good source of Iron as well!
When I need to get my girls to eat veggies- I just melt cheese on top. It usually works for the last resort.