Anemia is a common nutritional deficiency disorder that develops when the number of red blood cells in your body is low. This article will guide on what not to eat when you are anemic.
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that is responsible for carrying oxygen to tissues and gives blood its red color.
When your body isn’t getting enough oxygen, you may feel exhausted and have other symptoms like:
-
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Cold hands and feet
- Yellow skin
- Chest pain
- Hair loss
- Brittle nails
- Unusual food desires (known as pica)
Types of Anemia
There are different types and classifications of this condition.
It is caused by a variety of red cell defects, including the production defect (AA), the maturation defect, hemoglobin synthesis defect (iron deficiency anemia), hemoglobin maturation genetic defects (thalassemia), or abnormal hemoglobin synthesis (hemoglobinopathies, SCA, and thalassemia) and physical loss of red cell (hemolytic anemias).
1. Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia that occurs due to a lack of iron because of blood loss, a diet with low iron, or poor iron absorption.
Checkout the Ultimate Guide to iron-rich foods.
2. Megaloblastic Anemia
Megaloblastic anemia can develop due to poor intake of vitamin B12 and folic acid, there is also pernicious anemia that occurs from poor vitamin B12 absorption.
If you’re vegetarian or follow a vegan diet, you could have anemia due to a lack of iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid so consult a doctor to get iron and vitamins supplements.
3. Anemia of Chronic Disease
Anemia of chronic disease also called anemia of inflammation, associated with chronic diseases or medical conditions that cause inflammation, like, autoimmune diseases, cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and kidney diseases.
If you have anemia you need to consult your doctor to get your treatment and to know the best diet suitable for your condition.
What Not To Eat When You Are Anemic?
You need to know what not to eat when you are anemic especially if you have iron deficiency.
1. Milk and dairy products
Milk and dairy products are rich in calcium. Despite the importance of calcium to the body, it can inhibit the absorption of iron, so don’t consume calcium with rich iron food in one meal.
Other rich calcium foods like sardines, canned salmon, tofu, broccoli, and almonds, Some green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage, okra, and some legumes like soya beans.
2. Coffee
Coffee contains tannins which inhibit iron absorption in the body, so it is best to drink coffee within two hours before and following your main iron-rich meal.
3. Tea
The inhibiting effect of tea on iron absorption is attributed to the tea flavonoids present in tea, and it also contains the tannins compounds.
4. Polyphenols
Polyphenols are found in fruits, berries, vegetables, spices, and whole grains, and they are especially high in tea, coffee, cocoa, red wine, and some herb teas.
5. Soy proteins
Soy proteins can reduce iron absorption, soya beans are used to make a variety of vegetarian foods such as soya milk, tofu, and edamame, as well as miso, tempeh.
6. Eggs
Eggs contain a phosphoprotein compound called phosvitin, which may be responsible for inhibiting iron.
7. Oxalates
Oxalates are compounds that come from oxalic acid and are found in foods like spinach, kale, beets, nuts, chocolate, tea, wheat bran, rhubarb, and strawberries, as well as in herbs such as oregano, basil, and parsley.
The presence of oxalates in spinach explains why the iron in spinach is not absorbed.
Generally, limit intake of salt, solid fats, added sugars, and refined grains.
You should avoid these foods or decrease their intake if you are anemic, also you can consume this food within two hours before or after your iron-rich food.
Summary
Anemia is a condition in which your blood has a lower-than-normal amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin.
There are many different types of anemia, symptoms of anemia can be mild to severe such as fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache.
Eating healthy foods can help you avoid both iron and vitamin deficiency anemia.
If you make changes to your diet, this can increase your nutrient levels or help your body absorb nutrients.
If you are anemic, you should avoid coffee, tea, milk, dairy products, calcium, eggs, polyphenols, Soy proteins, and Oxalates as they can decrease or inhibit iron absorption.
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References
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- Garrison, C. D., Weinberg, E. D., & Skikne, B. (2009). The iron Disorders Institute guide to anemia. Cumberland House.
- Milman, N. T. (2020, September 14). A review of nutrients and compounds, which promote or Inhibit Intestinal Iron Absorption: Making a platform for Dietary measures that can Reduce IRON uptake in patients with GENETIC Haemochromatosis. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism. Retrieved September 27, 2021, from hindawi.
- Staff, F. E. (2021, March 10). Anemia. familydoctor.org. Retrieved September 27, 2021, from Family Doctor.
- Types of anemia – nutrition. Nutrition – MedBroadcast.com. Retrieved September 27, 2021, from Medbroadcast.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018, July 20). Avoiding anemia. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved September 27, 2021, from News in Health.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Anemia of inflammation or chronic disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved September 27, 2021, from NIDDK.
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2021, September 23). Anemia. MedlinePlus. Retrieved September 27, 2021, from Medlineplus.
- 5 foods to avoid With Anaemia – pharmeasy. PharmEasy Blog. (2021, April 5). Retrieved September 27, 2021, from Pharmeasy.