Atkins and iron deficiency?

[texasbaby]

I started atkins this past march, and quit in late may i believe. The only reason i quit is because i started getting a ton of really bad bruises that would stay for a long time. My mom is anemic and i though that i might be too. My dad told me to get off of atkins because i wasn't getting enough iron and so i did unfortunately. Then I started taking iron supplements and everything got better, the bruises went away but i gained almost 10 pounds back, and i feel like crap because all i eat is bad carbs and junk now. I miss the good feeling i got when i was on atkins and the energy and obviously the weight loss. I restarted induction on saturday along with taking the iron supplements and was wondering what are some iron rich foods that are induction friendly? Also, does cooking everything in a cast iron skillet increase iron as well? Thanks. Oh and is this the right section for this?

[imagood1]

here are a few things off the top of my head that are high in iron. If you want other foods do a google search:

If you eat proper amount of the foods below you shouldn't need an iron supplement - it's not recommended in the 2002 DANDR.

broccoli
bok choy
tomato
brussels sprouts
spinach
asparagus
collard greens
mustard greens
kale
turnip greens
green/red peppers
cabbage
fish
tuna
oysters
clams
salmon
shrimp
turkey
chicken
egg yolks
liver
beef, pork, lamb

[SunnySmile501]

You really should get blood work to see if you are low on iron. We SHOULD get enough iron from the meats and veggies we eat, but not everyone absorbs iron from food the same. Also, the iron supplements you buy over the counter is the kind that doesn't leave your body, so it can build up until it's toxic. It's better to get a prescription for iron if you really need it.

As to your question about cooking in an iron skillet--yes, you do get more iron that way. Especially if you cook something like tomatoes or peppers that are high in vitamin C and are acidic along with meat. Also taking vitamin C supplements helps you absorb more iron from food.

Red meat has the most iron, but all meats and fish are good sources.

[texasbaby]

It would be toxic even if you would only take once a week or so? I didnt know that it was toxic and i've been researching it now that i found that out. Thats kind of scary considering i've been taking them for a while now.
I definitely want to get some blood work done after reading that just to be safe because i'm scared of the bruises coming back but i really want to keep with atkins again. Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it

[liv]

I don't know about your Dad's reasoning. Because the kind of things we eat on Atkins are really high on iron - such as meats and dark green veggies.
Anyways. Do not guess on these things. A simple bloodtest will tell your doctor and you what you should do. I am anemic and my meaty diet helps but I take a lot of supplements. I really need them.

[not2late]

Originally Posted by SunnySmile501

You really should get blood work to see if you are low on iron. We SHOULD get enough iron from the meats and veggies we eat, but not everyone absorbs iron from food the same. Also, the iron supplements you buy over the counter is the kind that doesn't leave your body, so it can build up until it's toxic. It's better to get a prescription for iron if you really need it.

I agree with Sunny. Anemia is a symptom of disease. Low iron can be a cause, but so can cancer. So please see a physician.

[msanjelpie]

I would go back on Atkins... stop taking the iron... and IF the bruising comes back - go see a doctor at that point... Dad's are great... they just don't make very good doctors

[Sd1136]

you need to find out why your anemic
it isnt a problem in it self, something is causing it.

Me, what was causing mine was I was celiac and when i corrected that by not eating gluten, it was better.

[neutronnorman]

Originally Posted by not2late

I agree with Sunny. Anemia is a symptom of disease. Low iron can be a cause, but so can cancer. So please see a physician.

You really have a way of scaring the dickens out of people...but your advice is correct...everybody should always side with prudence and see a physician when something, anything is off...