Iron levels and the vegetarian diet

Due to the really nasty weather I have not been out walking at lunchtime all this week. However, I have been keeping to my resolution to take a full lunch hour each day, currently I am reading Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. Great fast-past action packed thriller, just the thing to take some time out.

I went to the gym on Sunday and again on Tuesday, and plan to go again tonight. I weighed myself and found out that I weigh 68kg (149lb), so the balance is to stay motivated without getting obsessed. Easier said than done. I do like the gym, though, I sort of “trance out” while I’m on the machines, it’s like my mind can switch off when my body is busy, a great side effect to escape the vortex of thoughts which can be so troublesome.

So far I have had one white wine spritzer last weekend. That is all though. Not drinking is going quite well.

On Monday I went to give blood as I said I would do in my Season of Goodwill post before Christmas. I had planned to go the week previously, but decided not to as it was the time of the month and I thought my iron levels might be a bit low. As it turns out, it made no difference as my blob of blood did not sink as quickly as it should have, so they made me have a blood haemoglobin check. Apparently you have to have a Hb level of 12.5 or above, mine was 12.4 so they wouldn’t let me give! It doesn’t mean I’m anaemic or anything and they said they would invite me to the next donor session. Come to think of it, I have been feeling rather tired lately, so this could be the reason why.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, after they took the blood sample for the Haemoglobin check, I promptly fainted. I had to lie down with cold compresses on my face and HTB had to come and pick me up. I have fainted before, but that was after I had actually donated. How embarassing to faint after giving one little blood sample!

They packed me off with leaflets about Fainting and Haemoglobin and Iron. According to the leaflet, there are plenty of iron containing foods which do not include a big juicy steak (!). Looks like I should be fine with a bit of tweaking to my diet.

These (non animal) foods are good sources of iron 

Breakfast cereals (wholewheat and/or fortified with iron)

Canned baked beans, other beans, lentils and chickpeas

Nuts (including peanut butter - yay!)

Brown rice

Tofu

All wholewheat breads

Leafy green vegetables, especially Spinach and Broccoli         

Dried apricots, raisins, prunes and avocado.

Vitamin C helps the absorption of iron, so try having a glass of fruit juice with meals.

Right, off to do a quick de-clutter, as HTB is at his IT class tonight.