A Balanced Diet for Anemia: Meeting Nutritional Needs

Posted on November 07, 2023
A Balanced Diet for Anemia: Meeting Nutritional Needs

Anemia is a condition of the body when it does not have the required amount of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. If you are diagnosed with this health condition, it is time to pay proper attention to your daily diet. If not, it can lead to weakness of the body, fatigue, or other severe conditions. In ‘A Balanced Diet for Anemia: Meeting Nutritional Needs’, the best Ayurvedic doctor in Dubai gives you a more clear understanding of anemia, along with the food you should include as well as avoid in your daily diet to deal effectively with this health condition. 

Eating a Balanced Diet to Beat Amenia: Here's How! 

Unfortunately, if you have been diagnosed with Anemia, it is necessary to deal with it positively. You must ensure you are keeping a proper diet which prominently includes leafy vegetables, cereals, nuts, oil seeds, meat, and seafood. These are highly rich in iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, and other nutrients which are essential for red blood production. 

Along with focusing on nutrient-rich foods, it is important to understand which food should be avoided if you are affected by anemia. Wait no more! Continue reading to have a proper understanding of all the dietary guidelines for those who are suffering from anemic health conditions. 

What is Anemia?

Anemia is a health condition in which your body shows a deficiency in healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. This can result in weakness of your body, breathing trouble, and even, fatigue. Certain factors that can take you to this condition are deficiency of iron, lack of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, or chronic diseases like cancer or kidney diseases. 

One of the most common factors that causes anemia is the deficiency of iron in your daily diet. Iron is a mineral that plays a major role in making hemoglobin, which is a protein in red blood cells that helps in carrying oxygen to the tissues of your body. When your diet lacks iron content, your body reduces its production of hemoglobins which leads to this health condition called anemia. Moreover, anemia can be caused by the lack of vitamin B12 or folate. As these are essential in the production of red blood cells in your body, a lack of these in your daily diet can cause anemia as they can’t make enough red blood cells. 

By following a balanced diet that meets your nutritional needs, you can effortlessly help prevent anemia and keep your body healthy and strong.

Dietary Guidelines for Anemia

Focus on having a balanced diet that meets your nutritional needs if you are suffering from anemia and its symptoms. The following are list of some foods that you can include in your diet to lift your health condition and live healthy and happy. 

  • Leafy Greens

  • Fortified Cereals

  • Meat

  • Seafood

  • Nuts and Oil Seeds

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens are a rich source of iron which boosts the production of red blood cells. Commonly seen leafy greens include spinach, collard greens, and broccoli. If you are thinking about how to eat them, you can have them raw in a salad or you can cook them and have them as a side dish. 

Fortified Cereals

Cereals that are fortified with iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 are rich in iron and other important nutrients. You can eat them either with milk or as a snack.  

Meat

Meat including beef, pork, and chicken are good sources of heme iron, which makes your body absorb easier than non-heme iron compounds. As you know, meat can be eaten by grilling, baking, or roasting, according to your taste.

Seafood

If seafood is an available option for you, then you must consider adding it to your diet as they are rich in heme iron. Seafood such as oysters, clams, shrimp, prawns, etc can be eaten by steaming, baking, or grilling them according to your convenience. 

Nuts and Oil Seeds

Nuts and oil seeds like cashews, almonds, and pumpkin seeds are good sources of iron. To increase the production of red blood cells, you can include them in your daily diet as a snack or sprinkle them on salad.

Remember to include a variety of these foods in your diet to ensure that you're getting all the nutrients you need.

What You Should Avoid?

Along with consuming nutrient-rich foods, you must be concerned about avoiding certain foods in your daily diet to get rid of this health condition. By considering the following foods, you can step back from worsening your condition of anemia as well as be healthy. The foods you must consider avoiding are as follows:

  • Tea and Coffee

  • Refined and Processed Foods

  • Gluten-rich Foods

Tea and Coffee

Tannins, which is present in tea and coffee interfere with iron absorption. As iron is required for the production of red blood cells, consumption of tea and coffee can hinder the process. We recommend you avoid them in your daily diet. 

Refined and Processed Foods

Refined and processed foods are usually high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Also, iron and other essential nutrients are stripped off from them. So, it is recommended to avoid them or reduce their intake.

Gluten-rich Foods

For some people, intake of gluten-rich foods can cause malabsorption of nutrients like iron and vitamin B12, which can worsen anemia. They are advised to avoid gluten-rich foods.

In conclusion, including nutrient-rich foods in your diet and avoiding certain foods can help manage anemia and improve your overall health. It is best to consult the best Ayurveda clinic in Dubai for personalized dietary advice.