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Nutrition

How do vegans cover iron?

Short answer

Eat legumes, tofu, seeds, fortified cereals and greens, and add vitamin C to the meal. Non-haem iron absorbs less well than haem iron, but it can be planned.

Plant iron is less absorbable, but you can improve it by adding vitamin C – peppers, lemon juice or sauerkraut to the meal. Avoid tea and coffee right after eating – they block absorption.

Good sources: lentils, chickpeas, tofu, pumpkin seeds, oats and leafy greens. If you still feel tired, get a blood test – iron deficiency happens to meat-eaters too. It is about diet planning, not labels.

Sources

  1. Iron — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
  2. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Vegetarian Diets
  3. The vegan diet

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