Iron + Plant-Based Diets

Aside from protein and calcium, one of the most common concerns I hear about plant-based diets is that they may not provide enough iron.  Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world and it’s true that vegetarians tend to have lower levels, so let’s talk about how we can make sure that we’re getting enough of this essential mineral.

Why do we need iron?

Most of the iron in our bodies is found within our red blood cells (in our hemoglobin, to be exact).  Here, iron is involved with transporting oxygen throughout our entire bodies.  Iron is also a component of myoglobin, which transports oxygen to our muscle cells.  Because of this, iron is essential for giving us the energy we need to go about our day.

Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency and is most common in children and young women.  Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, which is characterized by fatigue, shortness of breath while exercising, and a fast heartbeat.

Vegetarians tend to have lower levels of iron in their blood but we don’t seem to have higher levels of anemia than those who eat meat.  In fact, some research indicates that it could be beneficial to have low-normal levels of iron, as high levels have been linked with an increased risk for diabetes, certain cancers, and even premature death.  (This is why I always caution my clients to avoid excessive iron supplementation unless a lab test indicates it’s necessary.)

Heme vs. Non-Heme Iron

There are two different types of iron – heme (from animals) and non-heme (from plants).  Its true that heme iron (the type from animals) is more easily absorbed than non-heme iron.  Some plant foods also contain compounds that can block iron absorption, like phytates and tannins.  Some experts disagree about whether vegetarians need to consume more iron in order to make up for this difference in absorption.

Plant-Based Sources of Iron

Iron is found in a wide variety of plant foods.  Here are some of my favorites:

Vegetables: swiss chard, spinach, tomato sauce

Beans and Legumes: soybeans, tempeh, tofu, lentils, lima beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, navy beans

Whole Grains: oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa

Nuts and Seeds: almonds, pistachios, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, cashews

Fruits: raisins, figs, apricots

Bonus: Maximize your veg iron!

Beyond including a variety of the above plant-based iron sources, there are some additional ways for vegetarians to maximize iron intake and absorption.

1.  Combine iron and vitamin C.

Iron absorption is increased when its combined with vitamin C, so we can give our cells more iron by combining iron-rich beans and whole grains with vitamin C-rich vegetables and fruits.  (Think adding salsa and lime to your black bean burrito bowl.)  Some plant foods also work double duty and provide both iron and vitamin C (broccoli, swiss chard, tomato sauce).

2.  Cook with cast iron.

My cast iron skillet is one of my favorite kitchen tools and not only because it provides a safe non-stick cooking surface.  Cooking with cast iron can add a significant amount of iron to our food, especially when cooking something acidic (like tomatoes).

3.  Avoid coffee, tea, and calcium supplements with high-iron meals.

Coffee and tea contain tannins, which can block iron absorption.  Ditto for calcium supplements.  To avoid this, simply drink coffee and tea in between meals and avoid taking calcium supplements with a meal that is particularly high in iron.

My Take?

If you’re eating a well-balanced plant-based diet (including a wide variety of legumes, whole grains, and nuts) and you’re getting plenty of vitamin C (from brightly-colored vegetables and fruits) you shouldn’t need to worry too much about your iron status.

Iron deficiency is very real, though, so be sure to ask your physician for a blood test if you’re experiencing any of the deficiency symptoms I mentioned above!

Did you find this post helpful?  Share it with your veg friends (or anyone that asks you where you get your iron!)

[Tweet “A quick, useful guide to plant-based iron. #vegan #vegetarian”]

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