High iron, low cholesterol, low sodium meals?

I've had to take them too - megadoses at one point when I was seriously anaemic. But iron supplements are pretty tough on your ... um ... well, it's breakfast time so I don't want to give TMI, but it's not always pleasant to take them. Did you have any problems, historyenne?

Not particularly, but my um well is frequently a bit wack (sorry, TMI  ) regardless.  But iron supplements really help with the fatigue and dizziness I get when I'm anemic.  I find they're a lot more effective than red meat or spinach.     

But iron supplements really help with the fatigue and dizziness I get when I'm anemic.  I find they're a lot more effective than red meat or spinach.     

Well how interesting. One of my major complaints is dizziness and fatigue: I wonder if that's related to low iron?

Well how interesting. One of my major complaints is dizziness and fatigue: I wonder if that's related to low iron?

I'm not a doctor, but based on my experience, I'd say there's a good chance it is.  Also pallor, shortness of breath and palpitations.  I'm a regular blood donor, but I've been turned away based on low blood iron before.  Apparently if your iron is low, the effects of blood donation can make you pretty sick.  It's quite a serious thing.  You can get all your daily iron from ordinary multivitamin supplements, but if you tend to be iron-deficient, you'll probably need more than that.  (From my experience.  Not a doctor  )

I've had to take them too - megadoses at one point when I was seriously anaemic. But iron supplements are pretty tough on your ... um ...

Iron supplements can be constipating.  However, if you go with a whole food supplement (as opposed to the more common mined mineral iron) you shouldn't experience any constipation.  I'm not sure what brands in the UK are 100% whole food iron, but in the US Megafood makes one; it's call Blood Builder.   http://www.affordable-megafood.com/10170.html  It was our top selling iron supplement at my old job.  The iron in it comes entirely from vegan sources in concentrated amounts, so it's a strong as a standard mined mineral iron supplement.

Iron supplements can be constipating.  However, if you go with a whole food supplement (as opposed to the more common mined mineral iron) you shouldn't experience any constipation.

Those are the problems I was referring to above. Yes, it was AWFUL!! My supplements were from my doctor (in the US) and weren't whole food supplements. I've actually never heard of those.

I'm off and on anemic, too. I know in the UK I was told to take a liquid iron supplement that was more natural... can't recall what it was called but you could get it at Tesco or anywhere. Something with an F in it I think. If I have to take iron in the US, I'll go with Andee's link!

In addition to constipation, Rx iron can cause a lot of nausea and upset stomach issues. Some people really can't tolerate the Rx stuff at all.

I am iron deficient anaemic now from my bypass

I am taking Solgar Gentle Iron and it doesn't stop you up. I also take Spatone in my OJ in the morning


yes dizziness and loss of hair are signs of low iron...

I'm off and on anemic, too. I know in the UK I was told to take a liquid iron supplement that was more natural... can't recall what it was called but you could get it at Tesco or anywhere. Something with an F in it I think. If I have to take iron in the US, I'll go with Andee's link!

Do you mean Floradix?

This is a good website as well
http://www.healthcastle.com/iron.shtml

tells you which foods are high in iron and which ones not to eat and not to drink

links to symptoms as well

Do you mean Floradix?

Floradix is another really good food-based iron supplement.  It tastes good, too!

Huh.  I've never had trouble with *those* problems when I was on iron supplements. 

I've always wanted to try Floradix, but I assumed it tasted icky.  I'm intriguged now!

Now why did this automatically come to my mind, too? I've made sure to incorporate it into my diet. 

And, thanks Teletabby for the links! 

No worries.  Don't just stop with the Guinness though!  Look for other stouts (its the stouts like Guinness) that're high in iron - there's a whole new world of flavours & tastes to experience!     If you have any microbreweries nearby I'd recommend giving them a try if possible - most brewpubs do a variety of types of beer & usually have at least 1 stout on tap.     Or you could just make a trip over to Cleveland & visit the Great Lakes Brewing Company - they're St. Patty's Day beer's ready & rolling already!

Hope you get it sorted with your doctor and it all helps you in the end.   

OK - so I've decided to focus on the low sodium meals, since I'm most worried about my high blood pressure.

I'm looking for sample low-sodium diets (breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner, snack) for inspiration. Does anyone know of any resources to point me to? I've done a bit of searching around, but haven't found more than one day as a sample.

I'm a bit challenged in the kitchen, so I need all the help I can get! 

OK - so I've decided to focus on the low sodium meals, since I'm most worried about my high blood pressure.

Have a look at the DASH diet: dashdiet.org  DH followed it for his BP and it helped and wasn't too horrible.

The thing about salt is that it's often found where you don't expect it... and is in very high quantities in pre-packaged foods - even the sweet ones. Unless you cook with a lot of salt, the best way to do a low salt diet is to cook as much as possible that is fresh and from scratch. I didn't look in-depth at the site, but that seems to be the jist of the DASH diet.