Is he getting enough iron?

Iron is essential for your child’s growing body. Here are some facts about this nutrient

Iron deficiency and anaemia are common among children. The risk of developing iron deficiency anaemia is also increased in children who drink a lot of cow’s milk or consume dairy products (yoghurt or cheese) in excess rather than eating foods that provide more iron. Dairy products also contain phosphates that inhibit iron absorption.

Paediatrician Dr Paul Sinclair says, “Iron is as important for brain development and behaviour as omega acids.” Iron is required for the manufacture of haemoglobin found in our red blood cells, which helps to transport oxygen in the bloodstream. Anaemia is a reduction of the amount of haemoglobin in the bloodstream, reducing the amount of oxygen available to all body cells. When the brain is deprived of oxygen, dizziness may result. Other symptoms of anaemia include: weakness, fatigue, paleness, brittle nails, loss of appetite, abdominal pains, growth abnormalities and lowered immunity. HELP ABSORPTION Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron from foods, so combining foods that provide both a source of iron and vitamin C will ensure optimal iron absorption from your child’s intestines into her bloodstream, where it’s needed. Rich sources of vitamin C include tomatoes, sweet peppers, broccoli, raw cabbage, guavas, strawberries and oranges. Therefore, consuming these vegetables or fruit together with a meal providing a source of iron is recommended. Here are a couple of ideas: • Lean mince with mashed potato and vegetables (which can be cooked and puréed with the meal, depending on your baby’s age) such as tomato or broccoli, or serve with a salad (with sweet peppers, spinach leaves and tomatoes) if age appropriate. • Chicken stew with rice, veggies and half a glass of strawberry juice make for an iron-laden meal. WHAT ABOUT SUPPLEMENTS? Dr Sinclair says that iron supplementation is particularly necessary in impoverished areas where meat intake is poor, in picky eaters or in children where breastfeeding was prolonged beyond six months. However, iron supplements often lead to constipation in our little ones, or even nausea and tummy pain. If your child is on an iron supplement, or you’re considering giving him one, you can minimise these side effects with Dr Sinclair’s tips: • Get the dosage right – stick to 3 to 5mg

per kilogram of weight per day. • Make sure it is not taken with foods or

drinks that bind iron, such as tea. • Use appropriate chelated iron products wherever possible. Chelated iron supplements are easier for our bodies to absorb because of a chemical process they’ve undergone. “Most of our iron is gained from eggs and meat and supplemented foods or formulas. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach are high in folate and other water-soluble vitamins, but are not actually the best source of iron,” says Dr Sinclair.

Our Popeye spinach obsession is misplaced. In the 1980s scientists analysed the iron content of spinach incorrectly, putting a decimal point in the measurement in the wrong place. This error resulted in the “official” iron content of spinach being listed as ten times higher than it actually is. YB